by Anne-Marie Jones

Sara Tansy is a Wellington-based photographer you need to know about! Covering all forms of commercial photography, we are especially interested in her fabulous fashion photography.

Coming from a modelling background, Sara has a great eye for capturing fashion! Sara kindly shared some of her latest fashion images with us, and answered a few questions. 

Hi Sara, thanks for chatting to us about your work! How did you make the transition from modelling to photography, was this quite a natural process?

Hi Sans Pareil, thanks for having me! 

I had always seen being a photographer as something out of reach, one of those dream jobs that you wonder – how did those people get to where they are? 
When I started out modelling, I took an interest in learning how everything works and was always asking the photographers questions, offering to help pack up gear at the end of the shoot, etc. A wonderful photographer in Melbourne ended up offering to mentor me, and from that first mentoring session, I knew I was meant to make photography my career. Everything about it just felt right. I still feel incredibly lucky that I found this career and have been able to make it work!

Where did you learn your skills? And what advice would you have to anyone wanting to start out as a photographer?

It took me about two years of hard work and practise to start getting paid clients. Lots of trial and error. I would take my camera everywhere with me and shoot every day. Parties, street photography, gigs, anything and everything! Once I bought a tripod and timer, I would go out and do self portraits of myself in all kinds of locations, to learn as much as I could about photography and composition. As I already knew how to model on the other side of the camera, it was easy for me to get the shots I wanted. I ended up getting quite a few of these published in Sticks and Stones and other online magazines, and some of those early images are amongst my favourite, most nostalgic work. 

To anyone starting out, I would recommend shooting as much as you can, every day. Researching other photographers work and different styles of photography to find styles that you identify with and would like to emulate. Assisting other photographers is also a great way to gain experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes, it’s all a learning experience. I’m still learning, more than 12 years later. 

Do you have a favourite form of photography? 

At the moment, I’m really enjoying shooting aerial fashion images with my drone. It’s such a unique perspective and so much fun to play around with the colours of the clothing and landscape. The images make great art prints , so I’m planning my first aerial exhibition at the end of the year which will be fun! 

Outside of your work, what else do you enjoy doing? Do you have any must-watch or must-listen recommendations for our audience?

When I’m not working, you can find me hanging out with my dog, Bagel, drinking cocktails at a jazz gig, watching my boyfriend herd sheep, or lurking on Reddit.

The best couple of films I’ve seen recently have been Parasite and the new doco Flee, both blew me away. My playlist lately has the late, great Mac Miller and the new Bonobo album is fire too. 

Sara’s recent fashion photography:

If like us you can’t get enough of Sara’s excellent work, check out more on her site – www.letans.com