What is your name and occupation?
Adriana Kopinja, Portrait Photographer, Aesthetician
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
1 year.
What is your instagram handle?
@adrianakopinjaphotography
What is your LinkedIn URL?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-kopinja/
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I am from Poland, but have been living in Newton, MA for 18 years. I ran away from a bad relationship and met the love of my life in Boston.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I am attracted to beauty in all shapes and forms. I became interested in skincare 25 years ago and have loved making people feel and look better. Through my portrait photography business, I am able to not only see inner and outer beauty but also show it to those who need to see it.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
A recent review I received was from a woman who had just gone through a divorce. She said, “I didn’t think I could look like the women from your portfolio, but after the makeover, as soon as I put on the first dress, I felt strong and beautiful again.”
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.
What is your favorite book?
Glass Castle, Bossypants, How to Win Friends and Influence People
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, an organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
Multitasking like a Queen
What is your most recent WIN? How are you slaying in your career or business?
As a member of PPA (Professional Photographers of America), I compete on a professional level with other amazing photographers from all over the world. Recently, I received 5 GOLD awards and 3 SILVER awards in the Massachusetts division. I also won another competition with one of my maternity images. But truly, the biggest win is when I see tears in my clients’ eyes and hear the words, “You are changing people’s lives — you changed mine.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be brave, go for it! I was raised in a culture where we always heard “kids and fish have no voice,” so finding my voice was a challenge. As a kid, in my house, I always had a voice, but the culture outside didn’t allow it. We’re talking about a communistic Eastern European country in the 80s.
How do you enjoy your free time?
I have very little free time. I have friends who constantly tell me, “You are not lazy enough” — not sure what that means! But if I do get free time, I go for runs and spend time actively with my family. As a creative-minded person, I constantly look for inspiration for my portraits, so my camera never leaves my side.
What is something that not many people know about you?
While in school, my basketball team made it to sixth place in the country. We were one of the shortest teams competing (we were all average height) and we were the underdogs. Oh, and also, my father was a crime scene photographer, and most of my childhood I spent in his darkroom. That’s where I got the “photography bug,” although my focus is on creating timeless images for my clients.