We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Poli Hass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Poli below.
Poli, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
My ability to take risks developed gradually, shaped by both personal and professional experiences. When I moved from Ukraine to Israel at the age of 6, I was suddenly immersed in a completely new environment and language. That experience required me to adapt quickly and be open to change from an early age. As I grew older, I continued to push myself out of my comfort zone—first as a non-native Hebrew speaker, then as a graphic designer seeking new clients and opportunities, and eventually as a photographer.
For many years, I worked as a graphic designer, but my true passion was always photography. I dreamt of becoming a birth photographer, but the responsibility of capturing such intimate, once-in-a-lifetime moments made me hesitant to take the first step. I was afraid of making mistakes or not being able to capture something so meaningful. I spent a lot of time doubting myself, meeting with doulas and birth professionals to learn about the process, wondering if I was truly ready.
It wasn’t until about a year and a half ago that a doula reached out to me with an unexpected opportunity. She had been scheduled to photograph a birth but was unable to do so because of a personal matter. At first, I hesitated—taking on such a big responsibility felt overwhelming. But then I realized that if I didn’t take this risk, I would never know if I could truly follow my passion.
I called the mother-to-be to ask a few questions before jumping in. The timing was unexpectedly fast—she told me that her due date was just a few hours away! In the rush of things, she hadn’t had a chance to let the doula know she had gone into labor. I rushed to the hospital, and the experience turned out to be beyond anything I could have imagined. It was incredibly rewarding, and it taught me that sometimes, taking risks and not overthink everything is the only way to grow.
Since that moment, I’ve become much more comfortable with taking risks, both in my personal and professional life. From starting my birth photography business to making the decision to move to the USA with my family, I’ve learned that risks aren’t about jumping without fear—they’re about acknowledging the fear and doing it anyway. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that we truly discover what we’re capable of.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a birth ,family, newborn, and maternity photographer, and what excites me most about my work is capturing authentic, real-life moments. My photography is all about documenting true emotions—whether it’s the quiet bond between parents and their newborn, the excitement of a maternity shoot, or the raw, powerful experience of childbirth. I specialize in birth photography, but I also love photographing lifestyle moments—whether that’s at a family’s home, outdoors in nature, or in the hospital.
What sets my work apart is my focus on real emotions and natural moments. I believe that every family has its own unique story, and I’m there to capture it as it unfolds. I create a space where my clients feel comfortable being themselves—whether it’s through a maternity session celebrating a mother-to-be’s glow, a newborn session capturing the first days of life, or an intimate birth shoot documenting the life-changing arrival of a new baby.
I shoot unposed, natural moments. Instead of staging everything, I let the emotions come through. Whether it’s a shared laugh, a tender touch, or the first gaze between a newborn and their parents, my goal is to document true, authentic moments that reflect the beauty of life’s real journeys.
What’s New:
Recently, my family and I relocated from Israel to the United States – NJ-NY area, and I’m thrilled to bring my photography business to new families and communities here. This move has opened up exciting opportunities to capture more maternity, newborn, and birth stories in a new setting. I’m looking forward to connecting with families in this new chapter of my life, capturing their stories, and continuing to create meaningful, authentic memories.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability: Moving to a new country and switching careers taught me the importance of embracing change. I learned to say “yes” more and step out of my comfort zone. – Be flexible and open to new opportunities—they’re where growth truly happens.
Perseverance: Building my business and mastering new skills, required patience and consistent effort.
– Keep going, even when things get tough. Progress comes from persistence.
Empathy: Understanding my clients’ needs and making them feel comfortable is key to capturing genuine, authentic moments.
– Build strong, trusting relationships with your clients—it will make your work more meaningful and real.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
One of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing is building my business from scratch here in the US. It’s a whole new market with new clients, a different culture, and even a new language. While I speak three languages, adapting to a new environment and establishing myself in this competitive industry has its challenges.
On top of that, I have two small kids who are also adjusting to this big change. Balancing family life with the demands of starting a new business has been tough, but I’m excited about the growth and new opportunities ahead. It’s all part of the journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pinkpicphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pinkpic_photography
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Shay Raz @shay_raz_13<br>
