LET'S BEGIN WITH A LITTLE SECRET ...

my name isn’t Drealina. It’s a name I made up in middle school—my first and middle names woven together. It felt magical then, and somehow, it still does. My first name is Andrea, but if you call me Drealina, that's ok!

I discovered photography in high school—but really, the story doesn’t start there, I grew up on five acres with no Wi-Fi, limited access to TV, and no device glued to my hand—it was just me, the trees, stillness, and open skies. My favorite time of the day was one hour before sunset. I’d stand in my front yard, camera in hand, completely in awe of the new paintings I’d see in the sky every evening. It became the beginning of what would become a great story of my life: capturing light, movement, and feelings.

Soon, I started photographing friends. That passion began to bloom. For whatever reason, people saw something in my work—something worth investing in. And slowly bur surely, a dream that felt too risky began to take root. Starting a photography business wasn’t glamorous back then—it was risky, lonely, and uncertain. I was told by my family this career wasn’t practical, and that it wouldn’t last. But the bookings never stopped. I took that as a whisper from God: this is your path—keep going.

Sarasota has been home since I was seven years old. I’ve traveled across almost every continent, but the ocean air, the wind through the palms, and the golden light that reflects along the coast always called me back home. I grew up in a traveling circus surrounded by stories spoken in different languages. When I first picked up a camera, I realized I could capture a story in time regardless of the language spoken by the individual. That realization changed everything.

Sixteen years later, I still think about that barefoot, sunset-chasing girl who had no idea what it meant to run a business. She just wanted to capture beauty for the people she loved. And somehow, here I am, still doing just that—only now with a camera in one hand and a deeper sense of purpose in the other.

Today, I wear many hats. I’m a Sarasota-based photographer chasing light, a sourdough baker just for the joy of it, a hopeful gardener working on planting my first flower and veggie garden, a wife (to the sweetest man, who you might meet if I need a hand on shoot day), and a dog mom to two doodles—Choccy and Milky—who bring all the joy and chaos I could ask for.

I hope we get to meet! I’d love to hear your story—and maybe, just maybe, have the honor of turning it into something timeless through the power of photography!