Meet Veronica Yankowski | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Yankowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been a big risk taker. I’ve won some and lost many more. But I never feared the failure. I’ve definitely made some regrettable decisions, however they have always led me to push myself creatively and take that next step toward my professional goals. I guess I live by the old adage “go big or go home.” I do nothing small. When I commit, I commit big!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career began back in 1996 after graduating college. Although my degree was in journalism, I knew I wanted to work in news as a photographer and I took a part-time job with The Trentonian after graduation. I freelanced for other newspapers around NJ and eventually became a regular with The Star Ledger. I spent several years photographing sports, news, features and everything in between: Politicians, celebrities, and natural disasters. It was an amazing career. In 2001 I decided to take a pay cut and work as a staff photographer for Greater Media Newspapers which was a chain of weekly papers in Central NJ. it was a big decision as I was happy with the money I was making but as a freelancer, I had no stability or health insurance. I began that job in August 2001. Three weeks into this new journey the unthinkable happened. On September 11, 2001 terrorists attacked us on our soil. I documented the fall of the towers that day from Elizabeth, NJ, and 9 days later went to Ground Zero to document the destruction and recovery mission. Those images garnered me accolades and awards for my photography by the NJPA and that year I also won 19 other awards for my work.

I loved being a photojournalist. I love the fast pace, the adrenaline, the fact that each day was a different adventure. But during this time, the field was definitely male dominated so as a woman, I certainly had to prove myself worthy. I’m forever grateful to my editors and mentors who saw talent in me and pushed me to work harder and be better so I could grow as a photographer. I was surrounded by a wonderful community of other photographers who praised me when I did well and offered constructive criticism when I needed improvement. All of that helped develop me into the artist I am today.

I left the field of photojournalism after I had my daughter in 2005. The hours and unpredictability were not conducive to parenthood at that time. So I did what I swore I would never do. I began photographing babies and portraits because that was where I was in my life and I tried to branch out to the portrait and event world. It definitely wasn’t filled with adrenaline rushes or excitement but I had to make a living and I only knew how to work a camera. Over the course of the next 17 years, I mentored with other photographers and learned the art of wedding and event photography, honed my studio portrait skills and trained in other genres. I officially became VeroLuce Photography in 2012 and have since been recognized internationally for my work. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of many ups and downs and successes and failures, but every experience has contributed to my success and longevity.

Looking back on my 27 year career I can see clear pivotal moments where I had to make decisions that at the time I didn’t know would impact my business as it did. Sometimes those small pivots end up being larger than life.

I didn’t know on that fateful day in Sept 2001 that my experience documenting such a tragedy in our history would lead to my first book being published or subsequent art exhibitions for 20 years.

I didn’t know that meeting my best friend 17 years ago was going to land me a huge ad campaign for Bed Bath and Beyond because her husband was the producer for the project and that we would go on to work other collaborations together.

I didn’t know leaving photojournalism would be a painful decision, but using the skills I was taught, helped shape me into the photographer I am today and separating me from my competition.

I didn’t know taking a fashion workshop in 2018 so I can learn a new genre would lead to a partnership with a magazine that I would go on to collaborate with and land my first magazine cover.

I could go on and on about big and small decisions I’ve made over the years and each decision whether a good one at the time, or not lead me to where I was destined to be at that moment. It all unfolds how it’s supposed to.

Being an entrepreneur is NOT easy. Paychecks aren’t regular, hours are insane and your heart and soul are in every job big or small. It’s personal. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I may work everyday, but I get to take time off when I choose. I can travel frequently. Everyday is a new adventure. If you are going to work hard you might as well work for yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend coming from out of state, I would absolutely take them around NYC to start.

We’d spend about 3 days taking in all of the traditional sights; Central Park. Empire State Building, One World Trade, Museum of Natural History, MOMA. Depending on the season, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. Holidays in NYC are just magical so those are must stops, but during the week to avoid crowds. I love eating at the Russian Vodka Room a few blocks from Rockefeller so we’d definitely dine there that night.

We’d definitely plan out Chinatown and Little Italy for a separate day. So many amazing places to eat I can’t even list them BUT Levain Bakery would be a MUST stop for some amazing cookies. We’d have to catch a Broadway show so that would be a must do for sure and would squeeze that in.

I’d love to take them to a Yankees or NY Giants game (depending on season). New York sports is like nothing else and that experience would be so memorable.

The next few days we’d likely spend at the Jersey shore relaxing after running around NYC. I’d spend a day in Asbury park enjoying the beach and getting some great cocktails. Asbury Ale House is one of my favorite spots. We might have to head further south to Pt. Pleasant to experience a Jersey boardwalk and get some Kohr’s soft serve and boardwalk fries. And of course, all the seafood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mentors Peter Borg and Joe Gigli who taught me so much when I was a budding photographer.

To those who thought I’d amount to nothing or quit. You pushed me more than you know. Thanks for the hate. It Gave me so much creative energy and made me push myself.

And of course my friends and family because without their help and support I wouldn’t be able to work the schedule I do.
My husband John for allowing me to be me and shine.

Website: www.verolucephotography.com

Instagram: @verolucephoto

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/VeronicaYankowski

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VeroLucePhotography

Image Credits
Veronica Yankowski except photo of me in Iceland in color is Unnur Magna and in Iceland in black and white is Boris Kraizman