THE REASON BEHIND THE CAMERA
My name is Sabina — just like Sabrina, without the “r.”
I was born and raised in Poland, and in 2001, I came to the United States through an Au Pair Program — a step that quietly shaped the path I’m on today.
Although I earned a degree in Environmental Protection Engineering, photography was always where I felt most at home. As a child, I was drawn to my father’s old Russian 35mm camera — to the idea that a single moment could be held onto, long after it had passed.
In 2004, I began my journey into photography. Since then, it has been a continuous process of refining, observing, and learning — always with the intention of creating something that lasts.
Today, my work is centered around fine art pet portraiture — artwork created with care, designed to reflect presence, individuality, and the quiet details that make each animal entirely their own.
Beyond the studio, giving back has become a meaningful part of this work.
Through silent auction contributions and ongoing support of various nonprofit organizations, the studio has been able to contribute not only to animals in need, but also to a range of other causes — from medical research and community programs to local youth organizations, including school theaters and hockey programs.
Over time, these efforts have helped raise more than $25,000 for the community.
It is work I feel honored to be part of, and it is only possible through the trust of my clients and the support of this community.
When I’m not in the studio, I spend my time with my husband, Rob, and our dogs — the constant reminder of why this work matters.
I am deeply grateful for the trust my clients place in me.
These are not simply photographs.
They are something to hold onto.
BEHIND THE LENS
WHY PETS?
Animals have always been part of my life.
Growing up, our home was filled with them — dogs, cats, and many in between. Each one is different, each one leaving something behind.
In 2014, we adopted Miss Vernie Wiggle Bottom. Through her, I began creating portraits not just as images, but as something more intentional. And with that came a realization — I had almost nothing meaningful to hold onto from the animals who came before her.
Now that Miss Vernie is no longer with us, her presence lives on through the portraits we created together. They have become more than images — they are a quiet reflection of who she was, a way to still feel her, to still see her, even in her absence.
Her legacy continues to shape this work — a reminder of how much these moments matter, and how meaningful it is to have something to hold onto when everything else has changed.
While everyday photos hold the moments we live in, fine art portraiture is created differently — with purpose, with care, and with the intention of lasting beyond the moment.
At Bina Photography, each portrait is created for who they are —
and nothing less.
Because one day, these images will mean everything.
Thank you for visiting.
Sabina Lawson
Bina Photography Inc.
