Yaffa Koff Photography | Virtual Assistant for Photographers
Let me introduce you to,
Yaffa
yaffa koff Photography
Why did you become a photographer?
I've always been obsessed with the idea that photographs are moments captured in time. The idea that we can take them and remember that moment forever just fills something inside me.
Tell us your story? How you started until now?
I've always wanted to pursue photography as a career but it wasn't practical when I went to college to try and pursue it full time. I actually have an (almost) Masters in history (I never finished my dissertation, lol!) and was planning on pursuing that as a career.
Life is funny cuz it takes so many different turns. I ended up teaching kindergarten for 10 years instead. My husband was in law school and my kids started getting bigger and I no longer had the energy to give both my student and my children the proper attention they both needed. I knew it was time for a change. When my husband graduated, I finally had the flexibility to pursue the career I had always dreamed of having. I started off trying all different types of photography to see what I really enjoyed. When I discovered that newborn photography was a whole genre I was completely smitten! My first 2 pregnancies and births had a whole bunch of complications and traumas, and I missed out on the first couple days with my oldest and the first week with my second because they were in the NICU. I knew that every moment in those first few weeks are so so important and I wanted to be able to capture that time for other parents so they could remember those moments when everything feels like you're floating in a haze. From there I naturally continued into doing all first year portraits (milestone and cake smash) and then recently over the last couple years I added maternity and more recently outdoor family sessions as my client families got older.
My first love will always be newborn photography and I'm so grateful to all the clients who trust me with their most precious first moments as a family.
Who is your ideal client?
Anyone who values photography. It's not about having money, it's about valuing the importance.
What is your WHY... what keeps you going in business? And why are you passionate about it?
My WHY is that time is fleeting and if people don't capture the NOW then it's gone before they even notice. I see with my own family, if I miss out on taking yearly photos there is such a gap in time that's missing and I always regret it!
Where do you see your business in the next few years?
That's a great question. Honestly I don't know. If I'm being honest I'm tired of the hustle. I don't know what that means for me, but I do think some changes are going to be coming soon, whatever that means remains to be seen.
Tell me about how you manage your work/life balance as a small business owner?
It's hard! I love the flexibility working for myself offers. It means I can schedule sessions around my family life and gives me more time to focus on my kiddos when they need it. Working out the house means it's harder for me to focus on just work when I should be working (I could be doing laundry at the same time!) but I've come to realize if I don't focus and stay on task it just takes me so much longer to get anything done. So I've set specific days for house stuff and specific days for work stuff so I can really focus on what's needed in each area.
Shooting or editing? Which one is your fav?
Shooting for sure! I just love getting in the zone and snuggling all the babies and getting them set up so pretty.
What do you listen to while you edit?
Movies/TV
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger photographer-self, what would it be?
Take some business courses! Learning by trial and error is SO MUCH HARDER!
If you could give feedback to the photography community as a whole... what is one positive thing you'd say? And one constructive criticism?
There's a lot of information out there that's free for the taking. There are so many fb groups that are gentle and allow you to grow and help you. On the flip side there is way too much competition and sometimes people are just mean.
If you had no obstacles (fear, money, mindset etc) - what would you do next?
Open a studio outside of my home. Ultimately that's the real dream. I just want a complete separation of home and work, but we have yet to get there.
What is your favorite way to unwind/relax? (Yes, scrolling on tiktok is an acceptable answer haha)
Lately I've been reading a crazy amount of books (finally folded and got a Kindle!) but watching a funny or heartwarming show (Think Abbott or Gilmore Girls) is just so chilling.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oh gosh! I don't know, I'm such a moody eater! Probably a really epic salad but maybe Steak and French fries?
You're stranded on a desert island... what one item are you taking with you??
My kindle! Lol!
Where can we find you?
