Yanka's original approach to image and photography has garnered her a wide reputation for excellence from both the corporate and entertainment worlds - she is an image artist with a very special philosophy.

Yanka believes that everybody is photogenic in their own unique way, but it takes understanding and commitment to deliver that for the camera. Her many years in front of the camera as Canada's No.1 fashion and photography model, often referred to as "the girl with a thousand faces", have taught her virtually everything there is is to know about personal visual communication and about how to project beauty and personality in a portrait.

In the relaxed atmosphere of her home studio, Yanka works with clients to help them understand how their inner feelings manifest themselves on the outside and how a conscious self-image enhances the visual image. She coaches face and body language; is a brilliant make-up artist, and advises on hair and wardrobe as needed. With her partner, Henk Van der Kolk, Yanka further directs the clients in the set, making the encounter an enjoyable and rewarding one - the session tends to last about 3 hours and the quality of the results are virtually guaranteed.

Henk’s lifelong fascination with film and photography - he produced five feature films along with numerous educational and sponsored films and is co-founder of the Toronto International Film Festival - along with his early career in architecture, have given him a keen eye for photographic images. His entrepreneurial and innovative spirit – he was a New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Awards finalist in 1993 – saw him embrace the new digital photography medium enthusiastically. He finishes his portraits as digital files and as traditional prints on archival media and canvas with state of the art equipment.

Their client list includes the crème de la crème of the Banking, Financial, Insurance, High Tech, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Public Relations and Fashion industries and just about any other industry one could mention.

In all, Yanka has had over 4000 people, who needed to tell the world about themselves, before the mirror and the camera lens. She also conducts workshops on her program, "Power of Self Image" and is a frequent speaker.

The joy Henk and Yanka derive from their work is infectious and their commitment and attention to detail have made them valuable collaborators on many corporate and creative teams.