Interview
Ina Jalil
Australia
Ina Jalil’s love for photography knows no bounds as she has since pursued her passion full time to devote her love to pet photography!
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I got into photography back in high school when I took the photography class and did dark room photography. It amazed me how the images starts to appear on the paper as it develops. Since then, photography has changed and I always love doing photography as a hobby when I'm not working in my government job. I bought my first DSLR after I finished uni in 2007 and started doing some side hustle job from family photography, newborn events and also weddings. I also loved taking photos of my dogs but didn't realise pet photography was a thing until after my heart dog Mac was gone. I couldn't find a professional outdoor pet photographer when Mac was dying, so after he passed I decided to do pet photography. It started as a part time business alongside my full time job but early in 2022 I quit my full time job as a business analyst to pursue pet photography full time and I am loving every moment.
2 Where did you study photography?
I'm mostly self-taught but also learn from amazing pet photography education resources like Unleased Education, Hair of the Dog Academy and the Pet Photographers club
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
Yes when I was 13 using the film sir. I also had used the point and shoot back then. I can't remember exactly what I took.
4 What equipment do you use?
Sony A1 Mirrorless body, Sony 135mm F1.8 GM lens, Sony 85mm 1.8 lens, Tampon 28-75mm F2.8 and Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 plus Godox AD200 pro or AD400 pro
5 What inspires your unique storytelling?
to bring out the essence and characters of the dogs and pets I photograph and the unique story of them and their owners
6 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
natural, vibrant, warm
7 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
I am so happy to have been the Gold Winner. It means a lot to have my work recognised internationally
8 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
This was a client shoot I did last year. My photos are usually done at sunset during the golden light but it had rained and was quite a gloomy day. It was wet too and there were a lot of puddles. We still went a head and used the puddles as part of the shots to create reflection and movements in the water. I chose to enter these as it's different to my usual work in that it really works in a black and white format rather than my usual vibrant warm colourful photos.
9 How has winning an award developed your career?
It makes me want to be even better and go out there and create personal projects that challenges me and takes my work to the next level
10 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Kaylee Greer, Craig Turner-Bullock and Alicja Zmyslowska
11 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Practice practice practice, just keep practicing, refine your style and find your style
12 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Keep working at it, don't worry if you fail, just get back up again.
13 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Just taking action and keep on moving forward. Collaborate with others, share and help others to improve your art.
14 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
Always be open to advice even from an industry totally different to you, there's always ways to apply it.
