Recent Accreditations:

FAA Licensed Remote Pilot
(part 107)

Commercial Drone Photographer
 

​

​

Petrova is a professional climate change, conservation,  and travel photographer and educator. Her passion is Climate change photography, centering in the Polar Arctic regions, as well as expedition and adventure photography, She hopes to soon add Antarctica to her list as she expands her research and shooting in this area.

​

When she is not battling the harsh arctic tundra, she  keeps busy doing family photo shoots and real estate photography when home from her travels. (Certified Real Estate photographer)

​

Additionally, she holds a music degree, and is a professional classically trained pianist and vocalist, having spent over 35 years performing as a musician.  She holds her Bachelor's Degree in Music in both Piano and Vocal Performance and her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.  She studied photography professionally both internationally and also in the USA, completing courses at the well known London's School of Photography.  She has studied drone photography and professional videography additionally, and has become a licensed and certified drone pilot with the FAA,  after being one of the first females in the world to get her license.  

​

In addition to photography, she has owned and operated her prestigious, award winning music school, in Florida, for over two and a half decades.  More info on Petrova's music school can be found at www.petrovajonesmusic.com

Petrova's school -'Petrova Jones Music'-also recently was honored with the National Prestige award, for being the top music company and school in the SE USA, as well as being the Best of the Best 2021-2024  in the state of Florida.

​

This extensive experience in teaching becomes incredibly invaluable in photography, both in working with children from all backgrounds, and ages, and also in working with families and individuals with specific needs and desires.  She knows how to listen to what her clients 'envision,' and deliver results that are nothing less than complete satisfaction.  Additionally, she also knows how to work with beginner 'shooters' and help them learn from auto to manual, going at a pace each individual student can feel successful at.

​

PETROVA'S INSPIRATION:

​

Petrova, being an artist herself,  sees her work behind the camera as just the start of the creation of a piece of art.    Her experience as a musician has helped to shape her desire to create beauty and symmetry, as well as originality and depth, in all that she 'captures' from behind the lens.

​

Her late brother, who was an incredible architect, both inspired her, and helped to inspire a passion in both travel and photography.  In her travels, some of her finest moments of inspiration have been in seeing the world, although there is so much left to see!

​

TRAVEL LOCATIONS SHOT:

​

She has traveled to and photographed in the following diverse global locations:

​

*Australia- Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, Melbourne, Sydney, Phillip Island, Silverton, Mungo, The Outback, Brisbane, Cairns, Yarra valley, Victoria

​

*Iceland-the entire ring road, Snaefellsnes, Troll Peninsula, and Northern Iceland, East Iceland, South/South West Iceland and Reykjavik, both in Summer and Winter

​

*Italy (both Rome and Venice)

​

*Norway (Berggren, Lofoten, Tromsö, Lofoten Islands (the complete islands),  Alta, Narvik, Paradis)

​

*Sweden- Kiruna, Abisko, Abisko Ntl Park

​

*Finland- (Rovaniemi, Crossing the Arctic Circle, Northern Lapland, Saariselka, Levi, Inari)

​

*Switzerland (Zurich, Gruyerres, Jungfrau, Bern, the Swiss Mediterranean, Gstaad, Geneva, and Zermatt)

​

*Holland (Amsterdam, Delft, Delta Works area, North Holland, Zaanse Schans)

​

*Belgium (Brussels)

​

*France (Paris, Lyon, Versailles, First, Mont Blanc and Giverny)

​

*England (London, Suffolk, Harrogate, Surrey, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cheltenham, Devonshire, Bath, Oxford, Wiltshire, Jurassic Coast)

​

*Scotland (Isle of Skye, Lochness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perthshire)

​

*Wales- various

​

*Austria (Salzburg, Hallstatt, Graz, Vienna)

​

*Germany (Old Romantic Road, Bavaria)

​

*USA (Florida (the entire state), New York, NY and  Nashville, TN, Vermont, New Hampshire, Boston, Massachusetts, Arizona, California and Washington D.C., Washington State, Arizona, (Grand Canyon)  California, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Texas, Maine, New England

​

*ALASKA and BRITISH COLUMBIA  (2024)

​

*Honduras, (Roatan Islands)

​

*Mexico (Cozumel)

​

*Cayman Islands

​

*Jamaica (Montego Bay, Negril, and  Ocho Rios)

​

*Bahamas (Freeport, Paradise Island, Nassau)

​

​

​

​

I am a TRUE  artist- happiest only when surrounded by the ARTS.

​

A born natural musician, and a childhood actress, you could say 'the Arts' has always been just what I was good at, or merely a part of who I am. But I would disagree.

​

In my words, the Arts saved me.  It was my outlet.  It WAS and IS what makes my heart beat, and what makes up the true essence of my soul.  It is who I truly am.  

​

Without my creative outlets, I have no air to breathe, no life to my body, no spirit within me.  The Arts are my fuel for my everyday, not just my strong suits in life.  They are my absolute passion.  

​

Life without that, to me, is meaningless.

​

I believe photography is one of the most beautiful forms of art you can share with the world.  Being able to virtually take people to places they might otherwise never be able to see with their own eyes; being able to capture moments and keep memories alive for generations to come; to be able to, in just a few seconds, savor a moment that is life changing...... that is the true beauty and art of Photography.  I love that aspect of  this Art. 

​

The word ''Photography,' simply put, comes from the Greek word for 'light painting.' In a sense, we are given a moment to capture the words that sum up that moment of a time with just a fraction of a second or less of light, and with it, paint a picture that sometimes one cannot describe in a thousand words: the beauty of a great photograph.

​

As a true artist, I know that we all, as individuals, and as photographers,  bring different perspective to 'the shot.'  Just like any piece of art, a photograph is an original composition from one's soul, and the way that one person may capture it may be totally different than another. 

​

Just how two individuals may take pictures of one landscape totally differently, in art, we all see things differently.  As you may already expect and know, some may love your 'piece' and others may not. The true demise of being a creative artist.  The 'to be or not to be', effect in a sense.

​

At times, when we feel at our most creative, we can feel as if we are on top of the world, and finally almost free to be ourselves at last!  However,  at other times, by the same world, we, as artists, can feel let down.  Mixed reactions, feedback, criticism to our work.....such combinations can leave you feeling confused, lonely, and, quite frankly, often times misunderstood as an artist.  

​

Other times, our artistic merits can be strongly desired, applauded, praised, appreciated and valued.  Finally, we will may validated for our efforts, and understood. But, is that truly what it is all about? Is this the true measure of success?

 Isn't being an artist about freedom of expression and especially in today's world, is it not about the chance to speak without words....... to make other's think?

​

I choose to think so.

​

In fact, I thrive on that principle - to always make other's think and ponder......explore.... examine.... and grow....from the creative product of my work. 

​

Open the conversations, open the minds, open closed doors, and take people on your journey.  Some may enjoy the ride and appreciate your work, and sadly, others may not.....but as an artist, I believe that you must always stand for the validity and truth in your work, and do not compromise yourself or your creativity for the world.  

​

To me, ART is my voice, my heart, my soul, my air- my everything. From performing, to creating, to teaching, to enjoying, and being enveloped by the creativity of other artists.  It is life! I have it flowing from my head to my toes.

​

Art is who I am and I could not be me without it.

Yes, it is a volatile ride of sunshine and rain.  Hence, I understand the artist's lament, but  would I have it any other way? Absolutely not!

​

I feel strongly that we all have a purpose in this thing called life,  and sometimes, as artists, it is not about us being in the limelight.  Sometimes we must step back.  I feel that too many times we get too caught up in our own self to see beyond.  Sometimes it is about stepping away from the 'everyday' so we can sometimes see the entire landscape, and perhaps then we will see the beauty before our eyes.

​

Perspective.

​

Only then can we truly appreciate all that is around us, take in the beautiful scenery and look outside of our own four walls, if you will.  When I am behind my camera, framing a shot in a new landscape, exploring a countryside or mountain that I have never before seen, this feeling of absolute joy and bliss washes over me. 

​

I step back and put something in focus outside of my world.

I escape the everyday.

I release.

I savor the beauty.

I create.

I capture the moment infinitely.......

​

To be able to capture these moments, and then, share them with people, who otherwise may not ever see them in their lifetime...... well, to me, that is the absolute pinnacle of my passion.

​

In 2018, I went through a life changing stem cell transplant and it gave me new perspective on the entire world around me. Nothing could have ever prepared me for this. Life is seriously what happens when you stop making plans. However, this experience was a blessing in disguise. It made me slow down and start to value my life. 

​

I want to savor every day, take in each moment and truly travel, see this world, and capture its beauty. That moment when I thought my life was over is what truly prompted me to get serious about living again, including starting taking more time for what truly mattered in my life, like making time for my passions, like my photography.  It was in that moment that I saw that it was time for me to invest in my passions again and in the people in my life that I loved.

​

 In my travels, I have been moved to tears by landscape, seeing the world as an infinite piece of Art that will never look the same from one day to the next. It is just waiting to be explored, captured, appreciated, and sometimes, leave its audience absolutely speechless. The fun in my travels is never knowing what you may capture next.  I love the thrill of the hunt, and just capturing pure, raw art from behind the lens. I recently, as I mentioned was in the Arctic, and the vast white expanse of the ice, always excites my lens with possibilities. What appears to be a barren landscape is teeming with wildlife and landscape photo opportunities moment to moment. ! was additionally inspired by Iceland, in my early days of travel photography, and this summer rekindled my love for this beautiful country.    Zermatt also has always had a place in my heart for its beautiful scenery and landscape.  That Matterhorn has so many moods and you will never see the same picture twice.  I have shared some amazing moments with incredible people staring at that mountain.  These are memories no one can ever take from you, and ones that you want to capture forever.

​

In 2019/20, I finally achieved a lifelong dream and visited the Archipelago, shooting the famed Aurora, as I began work on Shuttershock- my climate change based photography project-www.shuttershocktheproject.com

 I have never had my breath literally taken from me.  Traveling to Norway, between the Lofoten Islands, and Tromso, was amazing.  I saw reindeers, and even visited the Sami people.  I also learned the hardship of photography in freezing conditions and in -60 degrees Celsius: frostbite. 

   

My memories are beautifully mesmerized by that trip.   Who knew that that trip would be my last overseas trip for a year or more, due to the pandemic?  Now, we have learned to truly appreciate all that we have around us and 'shoot' the beautiful backyards that we live, work, and thrive in.  I know I have found the gorgeous landscapes of Florida around me to be so refreshing.

​

Recently, I returned from 3 more trips- all followups to my grant, shuttershock- to the beloved Arctic, continuing on my research and quest for the truth behind a photograph.  You can say I am just absolutely addicted to the ice, but I would just say I am passionate about promoting CHANGE and most of all, awareness for climate change and the importance of understanding the fragility of the arctic ecosystem. There is so much more on my ongoing work on this at www.shuttershocktheproject.com

​

*I returned from Australia in October, where I had been studying the effects of climate chnge on the reefs. See my YouTube, and Instagram for more.  In 2025, I return again to the Arctic to shoot and promote conservation.

​

 A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

​

I hope future fans of my work will be moved by my 'art', or photography,  however you choose to see it.  I also look forward to capturing YOUR memories and moments with your family in a custom photo session!  

​

 Thank you for checking out my site and please follow me on Instagram and FB.

​

Most importantly, if you wish to book a session with me or pick my brain about any photography related stuff, please text or call me at 772-370-4676

​

If you wish to shop for prints or other photography art or home decor, please visit my awesome artsy photo shop at www.photographybypetrovashop.com

​

Truly,

​

Petrova😊

​