Meet fashion & beauty photographer from Dubai, Tina Patni.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A fashion & beauty photographer who grew up in an abundantly creative environment, I watched my father who is a renowned photographer himself, as a child I was always drawn to art, be it painting, sketching, designing, interiors and more. Colours and textures always inspired me.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Dubai is an amazing city that I call home; it’s given me my identity. The only challenge is the summer here when it gets a bit challenging to shoot outdoors. Apart from that, it’s multicultural and very tolerant of people from different parts of the world. We are blessed to grow up in a city with excellent leadership and vision; this has brought modern day comforts, innovation, and technology to Dubai. The landscape has changed dramatically and it has expanded over the years.

Dubai is an amazing city that I call home; it’s given me my identity.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing is that it’s such a cosmopolitan city, and the worst are the summers here. I do love the way it has transformed in the past years from a dessert to a state of the art high tech city

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Ambitious, motivated, compassionate

How did you start your career in art?

I started watching my father shoot, and then I would experiment on my friends and use them as my subjects. I would just go around town shooting just about anything that would interest my eye and that’s how I developed a style.

I started watching my father shoot, and then I would experiment on my friends and use them as my subjects. I would just go around town shooting just about anything that would interest my eye and that’s how I developed a style.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Absolutely, they couldn’t be happier, family and friends have always encouraged me. My family moved to Dubai in the 70’s and they understand the essence of a modern woman.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I will continue to capture beautiful images, there’s a lot to learn and achieve. Photography is not something you retire from, you don’t switch off, it is always on, you never stop framing, it an extension and becomes a part of you. Apart from fashion, beauty and still life, I am fascinated and drawn to nature and landscape photography as well, specially while I travel however when I am out there I am only able to capture 10% of what I am actually experiencing, since it is impossible to capture it all in a single frame, the rest of it one can only absorb.

Photography is not something you retire from, you don’t switch off, it is always on, you never stop framing, it an extension and becomes a part of you

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I would love to collaborate with Photography Gurus such as Tim Walker & Paolo Roversi. I am greatly influenced by their unique style.

How would you describe the women around you?

Women these days are very strong, independent and certain of their beliefs. They know exactly what they want.

Women these days are very strong, independent and certain of their beliefs. They know exactly what they want.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Annie Leibovitz is one of them surely, her black and white portraits and her play with lights have always been enticing.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Not really, your work speaks for itself, and gender doesn’t really matter anymore. I could be wrong but being a woman photographer helps, you are more empathetic towards your subject.

Yes go ahead, thrive towards what you want, there is no easy way, just keep shooting till you find your unique style. And believe in the fact that that it is more important to be good at what you do than to be famous!

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Yes go ahead, thrive towards what you want, there is no easy way, just keep shooting till you find your unique style. And believe in the fact that that it is more important to be good at what you do than to be famous!

Photos courtesy of Tina Patni.