PETRINA TINSLAY — Soul Safari

"In Sydney, when I started as a freelance photographer 25 years ago in the food and lifestyle sector, there were really no other women working in that genre. It was such a male-dominated industry. Even getting work as a female photo assistant before that was really tough. That is, of course, very different now... I honestly believe if you commit yourself fully to something, are passionate about it and work at it daily, it leads to ultimate success."

Petrina Tinslay began her career as a photographer over twenty years ago in Sydney, Australia. Since then, she has travelled all over the world for both advertising and editorial clients covering food, travel, interiors, lifestyle assignments and commissions. Studying photography as part of a Visual Arts degree at Sydney College of the Arts, she perfected the unique style which has now become her trademark…...simple, clean, modern and soulful imagery shot predominately with natural light. Petrina has contributed to 35 award-winning and best-selling cookbook titles, and her work has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation in the USA for Best Food Photography. She has won the Julia Child Award for Best Photography, Best Cookbook in the UK’s Gelenfiddich Awards and has been nominated several times for World Food Media Awards.

Featured

When did you know you wanted to be a photographer?

One person's passion for something can be transferred to another. In my final year of school, we got a new art teacher. Through her sheer excitement about photography, she transferred this energy onto me. It most certainly started my obsession with capturing imagery, and 20+ years later I have a wonderful career traveling around the world taking photos of amazing places, food and people.

Photo: Self portrait ©petrinatinslay.

What's your advice for someone seeking to make a career as a photographer?

I'm not sure whose quote this is, but it'd be, "just keep turning up." I honestly believe if you commit yourself fully to something, are passionate about it and work at it daily, it leads to ultimate success.

Photo: Tokyo, cherry blossoms by ©petrinatinslay. Springtime is currently what's inspiring for me. This is early April in Japan.

Are you following the path of a trailblazer?

I'd love to think I'm a trailblazer. In Sydney when I started as a freelance photographer 25 years ago in the food and lifestyle sector, there were really no other women working in that genre. It was such a male-dominated industry. Even getting work as a female photo assistant before that was really tough. That is, of course, very different now.

Photo: A study in monochromes in Seoul, Korea by ©petrinatinslay.

Where's your soul spot?

Water. Whether it be swimming in the ocean or a pool. It's how I start every day. It's my meditative time to clear my head. Ideas have no room to breathe in the noise of a full and busy work day. It's become very important to me to remain creative and focused.

If you could do anything in the world, what would you do next?

Such a large question. So many things I never dreamt were possible have come my way in life from left of centre. Hopefully there are many more of those. It would definitely involve travel, photography, wonderful creative collaborations and would push me outside my comfort zone.

All images used with permission of Petrina Tinslay.