Hello there! I'm Ina, the face behind the lens at Ina J Photography. While my days are often filled with capturing the special moments of pets and their people, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit more about myself - the person behind the camera. From my three delightful Havanese companions to my journey from the corporate world to the realm of photography, join me as we explore the life and passions that shape my work.
My Family: James, Pippa, and Rosie
My life is joyously shared with three wonderful Havanese dogs- my family - James, Pippa, and Rosie. James, with his dignified demeanour, Pippa, the embodiment of cuteness, and Rosie, the sassy and cheeky one, bring a unique dynamic to my home. Our favourite times are the simple moments, just chilling at home, enjoying each other's company. They're not just pets; they're family, each with their personality that lights up my life.
Life Beyond Photography: Hobbies and Interests
Photography, which began as a hobby, has now become my full-time passion. But outside of this, I cherish simple pleasures - long walks with my dogs, exploring new cafes as a bit of a foodie, and unwinding with a good comedy or romance movie on the couch with James, Pippa and Rosie. These moments of relaxation and joy are just as vital to me as my professional pursuits.
Balancing Travel and Dog Parenthood
Travel is another passion of mine, with a goal to explore a new city or country each year. Balancing this with being a dog mum isn't always easy, but I make it work. Whether it's finding a trusted pet sitter or seeking dog-friendly destinations, I ensure my dogs are well cared for and happy, even when I'm exploring new horizons. My recent trips to Iceland and Copenhagen were particularly memorable, merging my love for travel with my passion for pet photography.
Life Before Pet Photography
Before diving into the world of pet photography, I had a career in the Australian public service as a business analyst and assistant financial manager, even holding a CPA certification. This background has been invaluable in managing my business, allowing me to streamline workflows and automate processes, ensuring I can devote quality face-to-face time to each client and their beloved pets.
A Day in My Life Off the Camera
When I'm not immersed in photography, my days revolve around my dogs, giving them all the love and attention they deserve. They are my constant companions and my source of inspiration and joy.
The Turning Point: From Business Analyst to Pet Photographer
If you've ever visited my homepage, you might have already discovered a bit about my background. One defining moment in my life came when I was just 8 years old. I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour that required surgery. This early brush with life's fragility taught me an invaluable lesson: life is incredibly short and unpredictable. It's a perspective that has deeply influenced not just my personal life but also my professional choices.
My journey to becoming a full-time pet photographer, however, was initiated by my dog, Mac. His heart failure diagnosis and the subsequent two precious years we spent together brought profound change to my life. Capturing our moments together, both beautiful and bittersweet, I created memories that I now hold dear. Mac's journey was a catalyst, igniting a passion within me to help others immortalise their own precious moments with their pets. You can read more about this part of my journey in a previous blog post here.
Every photograph I take is a piece of my heart, a blend of my love for dogs and all animals, my passion for photography, and the experiences that have shaped me.
Ina J Photography isn't just about capturing images; it's about preserving memories, just as I have with James, Pippa, Rosie, and my beloved Mac. Thank you for joining me on this journey, both behind and beyond the camera.
2 Comments
Jan 22, 2024, 2:24:20 PM
Michelle - Ina this was such a great post to read! It is so wonderful that you had an extra 2 years with your beloved Mac after his diagnosis. Canberra is lucky to have such a passionate dog photographer with a very heartfelt "why!"
Jan 19, 2024, 7:22:11 PM
Jessica Wasik - What a journey to becoming the star of Canberra dog photography! I feel like I’ve watched you grow through some of this journey, and I’m excited to say I knew you when…