#SaundersSights: From Slovakia to Siesta to Instagram

Not unlike the Dots Per Inch (DPI) that combine to form a vivid printed photograph, Veronika Bajtala looks at her life as a collection of dots. Now a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company’s Siesta Key office, her journey to this Sarasota barrier island is as unique as the images she captures though her photography lens. And as part of the #SaundersSights campaign, where we are asking Gulf Coast visitors and residents to share photos illustrating what they love about our area, we couldn't help but notice an impressive gallery forming from this Slovakia native.   From Slovakia to Siesta “At sixteen years old, I hated speaking English,” she says with more than a trace of her Slovak accent. “I was terrible at it and I was like, ‘who speaks English?’” But the first dot of her journey was about to be colored in. Her uncle, who lived in New Jersey, called to tell her about a family who was looking for an exchange student. Her love for adventure overshadowed her dislike of English and she ventured to the United States. In Morristown, New Jersey, she spent a fulfilling year attending a private school, practicing her English, and unknowingly preparing for her future. After returning to her home country, she met her husband while attending college. Together, they shared a dream of living and working in the United States, and tried their luck at applying for the Diversity Immigrant Visa or the “Green Card lottery.” As part of her tapestry of dots would have it, they won. “We chose to move to Sarasota because somebody knew somebody who needed somebody to help out with a small business.” Now, with a basic knowledge of the language, she was able to facilitate their move to Sarasota in 2006, help them to secure work, and find a place to live. She explained that all the dots leading her to this time and place couldn't have painted a prettier picture. She and her husband found that they loved Sarasota and by 2008, they were living on Siesta Key. Veronika served as the onsite property and rental manager for Beachaven Condominium Association which led to her launching a career fulltime in real estate. Life through Her Lens All along the way, Veronika has had a passion for photography.   Now, she can always be found carrying a camera. Her ability to capture vivid moments with a lens has caught the attention of more than just the Michael Saunders & Company Marketing Department. Most recently, her images have been published in Sarasota's local newspaper, the Observer, having won the “Weather and Nature Photo Contest”. Tools of the Trade Veronika uses a Nikon D200 (a gift from her husband) when she’s out to capture quality images.  But most of the time, you’ll find her looking through the lens of her iphone – which fits more easily into her pocket. Subject Matter When choosing what to photograph, she explained, “As in any art, a muse has to strike. I go through periods where nothing inspires me but then suddenly everywhere I look there are cool angles, colors, or just something beautiful that catches my eye…that’s how I get inspired.” And living on Siesta Key, there’s plenty to catch her eye. “Because I love where I live, I want others to see the great potential of this area as well. That’s why I love to post my photos to Facebook or Instagram and then hashtag them with #saunderssights, #sarasota, or #realestate. When people search for those tags, they can see all the loveliness we have here.” And for Veronika, photography is a medium that combines her passion for real estate and her artistic eye, “I just want to share all angles of what this beautiful place has to offer.”   Enjoy a look at her images or follow Veronika on Instagram! Then be sure to hashtag your own photos with #SaundersSights!  

[gallery link="file" ids="19498,19497,19495,19494,19493,19496"]   Stay up-to-date on all of Veronika's photos on Instagram! And tell us if you enjoy her photos in the comments below.