Sissy Ilona Photography

I'm back home! I've showered! Now it's time to download all my files from today and start sorting and editing them. (I do all my culling and editing myself. Not AI.)
Also, tea. ❤️
#NoAI #PortraitPhotographer #Arizona #Tea

It's a beautiful day to be outside! The weather is gorgeous. I'll be meeting my next client in a few minutes and then head home for the editing.
#LoveMyJob #PortraitPhotography #Outside #Arizona

Did not.

O m g ... a MOST lovely couple, is what that is supposed to say. #Typo I wish we could edit posts.

I went to work today! Yay! I met a mostly lovely couple for an engagement session and the photos came out marvelous! I should have them all finished by tomorrow.
(Now that I'm finished with my editing for the day my cat shows up looking all cute)
#PortraitPhotographer #Cats #Arizona

Banner image consisting of 5 different portraits. Words written across the top read "New in 2026" on both sides, and "Mini Sessions" in the middle. The bottom text reads "1-2 times a month" on the left, "Starting Feb 14th" on the right, and "for every occasion" in the middle. The idea being, that the middle reads "Mini Sessions for every occasion" with more details on the sides.

I've been telling you about my #MiniSession days this month, but FORGOT to mention the discount!
Take 25% off my February mini sessions.
Code: February (creative, right?)

Sign up: book.usesession.com/i/zHcACDWAkT
My work: sissyilonaphotography.mypixieset.com

#Portraits #Valentines #MomLife #Love

It's Feb 5th which means you have 9 days left to sign up for my first mini session day! 🥳 I also have day 2 ready to book if you have plans for Valentine's. (Though a portrait session may be a neat add-on)
30 minutes - 20 images
Click to book:
#ValentinesPortraits #CouplePortraits #MomLife

a cartoon cat wearing sunglasses has the word omg on its chest ALT: a cartoon cat wearing sunglasses has the word omg on its chest

I have never thought about that, but YES!

3/3 Book your own mini session and show case your personality (or your kids', or your pets', or your partners' ...) by clicking here!

tinyurl.com/3b6nw9e7

(I'll be adding March session days soon)

2/3 She asked to wear one for some of her bday portraits too, and of course I agreed. These portraits are meant to capture her as she is and if masks are the highlight of this year, then they'll be featured.
And, naturally, our dog had to make an appearance too.
#DogMom #MomThings #BirthdayPortraits

1/3 My kid and her friends have been busy making masks! We have lots between what she made + what her friends gifted her. She had a list of needed supplies on her Christmas list too. I was wondering if it's just them, or all of the 9-12 yo?

#MomLife #KidThings #MomQuestions

@gileadart.bsky.social

A stack of business cards with a Sissy Ilona Photography logo on the left. A stack of bookmarks featuring a photo of purple flowers and a bee on the right.

A cat cuddling my arm, claws digging into the skin slightly, and giving kisses.

A child throwing a snowball at her dad, who is sitting down. A mountainside with trees in the background.

I'm back from a weekend trip to Pinetop to find two things: my new business cards showed up (in regular and bookmark format) and an aggressively cuddly cat. Apparently, we were missed.

#MomLife #Cats #CatsOfBsky #SmallBusiness #Snowball #ArizonaPhotographer #Mom #MomThings #CatMom

I sent out my first ever email update to my past clients. It was a really scary thing to do. I kept re-reading what I wrote terrified I made a mistake somewhere.

#SmallBusiness #Photographer #AZPhotographer #PhoenixAZ

Update: I have spent all day at my laptop and not gotten as far as I would have liked. Logo - nearly done. Business cards - not yet. First ever news letter to send out - nearly done.
All day = "nearly" done. *sigh
Hopefully I can wrap up most of this in the morning. Cross your fingers for me?

Today's to-do list: Update logo, create email list, order business cards.
I bought an "ultimate" bundle of fonts off Etsy and I am signing up for a Kit account. I want to send a newsletter to keep people in the know about upcoming mini session days and sales. #SmallBusiness #PortraitPhotography

When the Onion headlines don't seem any more ridiculous than the actual headlines .... 🤦

Now this is something I can get behind! 🍟

That mental gymnastics is Olympics level.

And people won't vaccinate. They'd rather their kids get sick and suffer from this stuff. Unbelievable.

A collage of four portraits with a banner in the center saying "Mini Sessions for every occasion". Top left photo - a couple walking together Top right photo - high school senior with her gown slung over her arm Bottom left photo - a mom and her two adult daughters standing together Bottom left photo - a mom and her oldest daughter hugging and kissing her youngest daughter

So excited to start offering #MiniSessions! The first day is ready to go and you can find all the booking info here:
book.usesession.com/s/Su_KljCpbD

More info on my work and how I edit here:
www.sissyilona.com

#ArizonaPortraitPhotographer #PortraitSessions #HighSchoolSenior #Maternity #Family

Today was a gorgeous day to be working at Papago Park. I met such a nice family and they even brought their dog along! 😍 I so love it when people bring pets to their portrait session! Now for the editing.
#SmallBusiness #ArizonaPhotographer #PortraitPhotographer #PhoenixAZ

Portrait of a couple cuddling and smiling. She is wearing jeans and a white shirt. He is wearing a pink shirt. The background has cacti.

✅ for today:
Created a business profile on Google.
Bookings for my first ever #MiniSessions are live. Come see me for #ValentinesDayPortraits.
Click for more:
book.usesession.com/s/Su_KljCpbD
Code February for 25% off, since it's my first and I expect to run into bugs. #ArizonaPortraitPhotographer

Portrait of a girl in a white dress, and her dog.

Portrait of a dad and his daughter. She is wearing a graduation gown. They're looking at each other and making a silly face.

I am making progress! I did go ahead and chose a new profile photo, I refreshed my website today, AND I (mostly) set up a scheduling system for my first ever day of mini sessions! I'm feeling pretty good about it all.
#SmallBusiness #PortraitPhotographer #ArizonaPhotographer #PortraitPhotographyAZ

Can't shout about illegal immigrants, if they're all here legally.

Outdoor portrait of a mother, her daughter, and their dog. The women are standing and the dog is sitting in front of them. A lake and trees are in the background.

Outdoor portrait of a mother and her daughter. The daughter is leaning on her mom. There are cacti in the background.

Portrait of a girl and her dog. She is standing, holding her dog's leash. The background has cacti and rocks.

As we head into the first days of 2026 I have to admit that I have spent another year ignoring my social media.
This year I will do better. #NewYearsResolution
I am also going to add #MiniSessions to my schedule, and my website and headshot are due for an update.
#PortraitPhotographer #MakingAList

Our cat got a new cat tree. We didn't make her wait for Christmas day though.

Squee. I'm so excited about these cards. 🤩😍

You're both right. When it comes to light, white is the combination of all colors. When it comes to paint/print, white is the absence of all the colors.