Meet Paola Ignatova-Mihova of Vivid Photo and Video in North West

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paola Ignatova-Mihova.

Paola, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Sixteen years ago I arrived in the US after graduating high school in Bulgaria. I was young, full of wild visions about my future and thought I was here to change the world. Little did I know the world was here to change me. I had to learn to be humble, to work hard and to be grateful for everything and everyone in my life.

Along the way I graduated Film school, worked with some of the most dedicated and hardworking crews in Chicago, and met and married the love of my life. An artist himself, he complements me in every way, and together we do everything from working on creative projects, to travelling the world and sharing our mutual love for music and food.

Today, I find myself on the path to discovery on how to keep staying true to myself and in the process of running my own small company. I do what I love most: meeting new people, seeing the beauty in them, and capturing their happiness. I think that is what truly matters to me the most: happiness. Not the job, not the money, not the title, but the state of inner feeling of contentment with who one is and who one loves and where one is. It is elusive at best, and starts within, but it is a journey that takes a lifetime and I am just happy to be walking the walk.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think it is ever a smooth road. It is not meant to be. Growth comes from discomfort, from coming out of the comfort zone. For me the greatest challenges are always within us: fear, self-criticism, doubt. It is like a mind game: every situation is always neutral in itself, it is our reaction to it that defines it as bad or good, as hard or easy, as negative or positive. The hardest thing for me, was to learn how to be encouraging to myself when I fail, how to congratulate myself for the little successes and the efforts that I am making, and not just bash myself for everything I did wrong. It is a process and it takes time.

Please tell us about Vivid Photo and Video.
I started Vivid Photo and Video in 2014, primarily as a wedding photo and video service company. Along the way, we worked on a variety of projects, from corporate videos to TV reality shows. We love the diversity of the projects we per-take in and the constant challenge to do and invent new things.

What sets us apart is our complete and utter dedication to the final product. For us it is a personal creative process and we always treat each and every client as the most important project we have ever worked on.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Spending the summers at my grandparents’ house in the country. Too many memories but overall I think that is what shaped my tremendous love towards nature. I love mountains and open spaces, the beach and the ocean, all of it. Travelling, hiking, camping, any connection I get with nature recharges me all levels – physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vividphotoandvideo.com
• Phone: 773 474 9961
• Email: paola.ignatova@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivid_paola/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vividphotoandvideo

Image Credit:
Paola Ignatova-Mihova
Vivid Photo and Video

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