Meet Viktoria Jonas

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Viktoria Jonas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Viktoria below.

Viktoria, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I moved from Hungary to the U.S. 13 years ago and worked as a nanny in Long Island, NY. I was homesick—everything was new, I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t even speak the language. (What was I thinking?)

To pass the time, I bought a point-and-shoot camera and wanted to share everything I saw with my family. One day on my day off, I went for a long walk and spent the entire day taking pictures of whatever caught my eye. By the end of the day, I realized it was the first time I wasn’t homesick—my day felt fulfilled. That’s when I knew photography was something I truly loved, and I thought, why not become a professional?

There was just one tiny problem—the language. So, I started taking classes after work, focusing specifically on photography. Once I felt more confident, I enrolled in NYIP, New York’s biggest and oldest online photography school. At first, I couldn’t get through a lesson without using a translator, but I quickly learned the jargon and was able to graduate. It took me longer than others, but I didn’t care—I earned my certificate in the complete course in professional photography.

After that, I moved to NYC and started working as a personal assistant. I still wasn’t a photographer, and it was challenging to balance work and my passion. I wasn’t even sure what niche I wanted to specialize in—I just loved taking pictures. Over time, friends started asking me to take their family photos, maternity shots, newborn pictures, birthdays, and cake smashes (which I had never heard of before—it wasn’t a thing in Hungary). I loved interacting with kids, so I started learning more about newborn safety and newborn photography. I was still working as an assistant, but I knew what I wanted, and I was slowly moving towards my goal. However, I still didn’t have a strong portfolio to share.

Then, after the pandemic, I lost my job as an assistant, and I knew there was no more time to waste. It was a now or never moment. I didn’t even look for another job—I just started advertising on social media. The response was encouraging and I began getting bookings, which gave me more photos to share and things started to pick up.

I’m incredibly grateful to those who trusted me back then and helped me do what I love. Now, I feel like I’m cheating life because work doesn’t feel like work anymore—it’s just pure joy and fulfillment.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a newborn, cake smash, and family photographer, and my journey into photography was deeply personal.

What makes my work so special to me is the emotional connection I create with families. Newborns change so quickly, and those first few weeks are fleeting. Being able to freeze those tiny details—delicate fingers, sleepy smiles, and the pure love between parents and their baby—is something I never take for granted. Cake smashes, on the other hand, are so much fun! Capturing a baby’s joy and curiosity as they dive into their first birthday cake is priceless.

What sets my brand apart is that I always travel to my clients for in-home sessions, making it as convenient and stress-free as possible, especially for new parents. My goal is to create a relaxed environment where families can just be themselves while I capture their most precious moments.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my reach and continuing to connect with more families who want authentic, timeless images. I’m also always refining my craft and exploring new creative ideas to make each session unique.

I truly believe that the best part of my job is not just taking pictures but preserving memories that families will cherish forever.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Resilience – Starting from scratch in a new country, not knowing the language, and building a career in a competitive field wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, slow periods, and challenges along the way, but I never gave up. For anyone starting out, my advice is to expect setbacks, but don’t let them define you. Stay committed, keep pushing forward, and remind yourself why you started.

Adaptability – Photography is always evolving, whether it’s trends, technology, or client expectations. Being able to adapt helped me grow. I started as a general photographer, but over time, I found my niche in newborn and family photography. If you’re just beginning, be open to learning and trying different things. You might start in one direction and realize your passion lies elsewhere—and that’s okay!

Continuous Learning – When I first decided to pursue photography, I didn’t just learn how to use a camera; I also had to learn a new language and navigate the business side of things. Even today, I’m always looking for ways to improve—whether it’s refining my editing style, enhancing my client experience, or staying up to date with industry trends. My advice? Never stop learning. Take courses, seek mentorship, watch tutorials, and practice as much as you can. Growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone.

No matter what field you’re in, success doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient, stay passionate, and invest in yourself—you’ll get there!

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Photography is both creative and demanding—between sessions, editing, client communication, and running a business, it’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time. When I start feeling overwhelmed, the first thing I do is step back and take a deep breath. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, I break things down and focus on what truly matters at that moment.

Another thing that keeps me grounded is reminding myself why I started. I look back at the beautiful moments I’ve captured and the joy my work brings to families. That always reignites my passion and puts things into perspective.

For anyone struggling with overwhelm, my advice is to give yourself grace. Not every day will be perfect, and that’s okay. Prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. The journey is just as important as the destination—so make sure to enjoy it along the way.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All pictures were taken by me and all families gave me permission to share their photos for advertising purposes.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that