My name is Irina and I’m the photographer behind Irina Negrean Photography!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do, and I’m so passionate about the work I get to create with my clients!
From business owners reaching out about updated headshots and personal branding, to new mommas determined to exist in photographs with their babies, maternity clients documenting their bumps and all the way to women booking shoots JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LOOK AND FEEL AMAZING (my favorites) – I get to hear the most amazing stories.
I started shooting more than 14 years ago, right after graduating from UW with a degree in Sociology. At first I worked as a wedding photographer, but eventually found my way towards portrait work, when I started noticing how rarely moms appeared in photographs. And because I was a new mom myself, I understood that pain on a deep level.
So I made a decision to give to women what I wanted – an experience that was empowering, uplifting, joyful and pampering. I started shooting out of my home, hired hair and makeup artists to doll up my clients, started investing in a client closet of dresses and gowns (YOU SHOULD SEE IT, IT’S A THING OF BEAUTY), props, backdrops and much much more. I also started offering coffee, drinks and yummy foods (the Romanian in me can’t help it, cooking is my love language) and created an experience that is one of a kind.
I wanted my clients to come to my space and feel like it’s an escape, I want them to feel pampered and cared for, and like they’re hanging out with their girlfriends. So that by the time we start shooting, it’s a piece of cake. No nerves, no worries, no stress. I love nothing more than the shock on my clients face when they realize they’ve finished their session and they never had to worry about a single thing, because they had so much fun and I made it feel effortless.
PHOTOSHOOTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! AND EASY!
I truly believe I was MEANT for this job. I’m a total extrovert, HIGHLY sociable and a FOREVER GIRL’S GIRL. I’m a posing pro, I love to be creative and I’m OBSESSED with bringing out the inner goddess in every woman. I live and breathe empowerment and every aspect of my business is about making women feel and look amazing in their portraits.
Some other random facts about me:
*I’m the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and every single cliche thing about that type is true.
*I was born in Romania, Eastern Europe and moved to the US with my parents and baby brother in 2001.
*I’m a may baby (taurus, if you’re counting) and I ABSOLUTELY love flowers and all things spring. I go all out on my birthday.
*My best friend is my momma and the best way I can describe her is to tell you that every single person that meets her is jealous she isn’t THEIR mom. She’s a literal angel. The woman that made me into who I am today.
*I travel to Europe every chance I get but I absolutely despise flying. Gin and tonics are a lifesaver during bad turbulences.
* I swear and I have a pretty dirty sense of humor. I’m deeply sarcastic and I LOVE to make others laugh. But if I’m not sure if you’re like that, I’ll be very proper until you drop the first f bomb.
*I’m deeply passionate about women’s rights, immigrants rights, body neutrality and other social issues. In particular, I feel that as a photographer I have a moral responsibility to shape what beauty looks like and to create visibility and representation for ALL WOMEN, of all sizes, colors, and walks of life.
If you’d like to follow me online, I share openly and honestly on instagram, TikTok and Facebook but the best way to get to know me better is to invite yourself over for a cup of coffee!
To contact me, use the contact form on my CONTACT ME PAGE! It will literally make my day when I get your message!
PS. INCREDIBLY HONORED TO HAVE WON THE BEST IN BUSINESS under the photography category in the vancouver business journal! Thank you to everyone who voted!