Conversations with Tina Gionis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Gionis

Hi Tina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a photographer specializing in events and personal branding. I am also a digital artist working with imaging and video. I teach photography at the college level, and also conduct travel photography seminars in different countries. I discovered my passion for photography my senior year of College where I was about to complete a dual degree in Creative Writing and Psychology. I took a Photography 101 class to fulfill a visual arts requirement I needed for my degree. I quickly realized that I loved photography more than what I was about to get my degree in. Since I was so close to graduating, I finished my degree but decided to travel and live abroad afterwards. I did this so I could create a photography portfolio and see where it would take me. I ended up I living in Asia for ten years working as a travel photographer and photojournalist as well as regularly exhibiting my artwork. I moved back to the US and worked as an editorial photographer in New York City, moved back home to Ohio to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Photography and Video, and am now living in Nashville.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I love my job and am grateful that I can do what I love. It took me a long time to get here, however, and it was with a lot of struggle and work that I was able to make it to this point where I am sustainable. I remember hearing at a lecture in college to do what you love and the money will eventually follow. I was young when I heard this and integrated it into my belief and value system. Life is short, I thought. Why spend it working at a career that you hate? I then decided that I would work as hard as I could to become a sustainable photographer. I did work some jobs that I didn’t like to make money to survive, but I never let go of this ambition to eventually do what I love. Years later, I am still happy with this decision, but I wish someone had told me it’s important to learn how to make money off your passion if you want it to be sustainable.

That involves learning how to be a business person. No one taught me how to do business, and I didn’t take any classes In how to run a business-though I probably should have. It took me years to figure this out. Even though I have a Master of Fine Arts in Photography-the highest degree you can get in photography-I didn’t learn how to make it a career until I got out in the real world-The School of Hard Knocks.

The School of Hard Knocks’ classes involved working for free, taking really crappy jobs for the experience and networking, and just all-out struggling for years. Looking back on it, I could have made my path easier, but it’s my path and I cherish it for what it is.

Even though my journey wasn’t straightforward it definitely wasn’t boring. It took me to living abroad for 10 years in Asia, Europe , Australia, and Africa. I worked as an assistant to fashion and commercial photographers, shot articles for travel magazines that flew me around the world though paid me very little, and had art shows in Taiwan and Thailand where I showcased my Imaging and Documentary work. I supported myself by teaching English in these foreign countries as well as writing ESL material, proud that I was actually putting me Creative Writing degree to use.

Assisting other photographers is how I learned how to make money from my craft. I would suggest getting a mentor, for anyone starting out in photography. People have been apprenticing Masters to learn a craft for thousand of years. I believe that still holds true today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create portraits of subjects that bring out what makes them unique and is a testament to what they do. This involves getting to know my subject and shooting them in their environment or creating an environment that communicates to the viewer what they do and who they are. I carry out this process whether I do a simple headshot, or a more extensive photo shoot. I believe a portrait photo shoot is a collaboration between myself and the subject.

What’s next?
Though I love doing corporate event and branding photography work and will continue to do so, I will dedicate more time to making fine-art imaging work will get back to being an exhibiting artist again.

I am also a DJ and want to play more as well as produce electronic music.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tinagionisphotography.com and www.tinagionis.com
• Instagram: @tina.g.photography, @tina.g.dj, @tina.g.photo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinagdj, https://www.facebook.com/tinagionisphotography/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinagionis/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tina-g