Life & Work with Zaneta Sajovic of Maricopa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaneta Sajovic.

Hi Zaneta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into photography started from deeply personal place – my children. When my son was born, I realized how quickly moments pass, and how powerful a single photograph can preserve emotions, memories and connection. What begun as simply documenting my own family, grew into a true passion.

I officially started my business, Passionate Moments Photography, after moving from Oregon to Arizona, about 3 years ago. At that time, I was a stay at home mom of three children. During that time, I realized I wanted to turn my passion into something more meaningful – not just for myself, but for other families as well. Photography gave me a sense of purpose and allowed me to combine my creativity with my love for preserving genuine moments. My goal was to document authentic connections and meaningful milestones. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with many wonderful families, helping them preserve moments that become part of their story for years to come.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. Starting my business came with many challenges, and I struggled with self-doubt in a beginning. I often questioned whether I was good enough, especially in such a competitive field. Moving to a new state meant I was starting completely from a scratch – I had to build my client base, my reputation, and honestly, my confidence too.
I also realized that photography isn’t just about taking beautiful images – it’s about running a business. Learning the legal side, creating client agreements, setting pricing, and managing the financial responsibilities was all new to me. It wasn’t always easy, but those challenges helped shape me into a more confident business owner. Over time, I learned to trust my vision, embrace my style, and recognize the value of my work. There were many moments when stepping outside of my comfort zone felt intimidating, but each session, each client, and each positive experience helped me grow – not only as a photographer, but as an individual. Looking back now, I am grateful for those struggles because they pushed me to grow creatively and professionally, and they helped me build a brand that reflects who I am and the care I put into my work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As my own children have grown older, I’ve learned that they don’t always share my enthusiasm for being photographed anymore. I joke that I may have overdone it when they were little — and now they’ve retired from modeling for me. So instead, I lovingly “torture” other people’s children by capturing beautiful moments for their families. Thankfully, they’re usually much more cooperative.

Being a mother has given me a deep understanding that not every child walks into a session feeling happy, comfortable, or ready — and that’s completely okay. Some children need time, patience, and space to warm up. I never rush my sessions because I want every child and family to feel safe, understood, and at ease. I have experience working with autistic children and children with different personalities and needs, and I always adapt my approach to each individual child. My goal is never to force a moment, but to gently create an environment where genuine emotions can naturally unfold.

I specialize in family, engagement, and milestone photography, and I’m known for creating relaxed, comfortable sessions where families can simply be themselves. What I’m most proud of is the trust families place in me to capture moments that are deeply meaningful to them. Through my work, I’ve also had the privilege of participating in many different family traditions, celebrations, and cultural moments. I love being able to witness and preserve those unique stories, and it’s incredibly rewarding to document memories that reflect each family’s identity and connection.

For me, photography is not just about images — it’s about people, emotions, and preserving moments that can never be repeated, but can always be remembered.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I believe photography will continue to move toward more authentic, emotional storytelling rather than overly posed or artificial images. People are looking for genuine moments, real connections, and photographs that truly reflect their lives and relationships. I also see client experience becoming even more important—families want to feel comfortable, understood, and supported throughout the entire process, not just during the session itself.

I plan to continue growing Passionate Moments Photography by serving my community, building meaningful relationships with my clients, and creating images that preserve their most important memories. Being recognized as the Best Photographer in Maricopa in 2025 was incredibly meaningful and motivating, because it reflected the trust and appreciation of the community I love serving. That recognition, along with the wonderful feedback I receive from my clients, reinforces my belief that photography is not just about taking pictures—it’s about creating an experience where people feel valued, comfortable, and truly seen.

As the industry evolves, my goal is to continue adapting while staying true to what matters most to me: capturing genuine emotions, preserving meaningful moments, and creating lasting memories that families can cherish for generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://passionatemomentsphotography.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassionateMomentsPhotography/