Image Source: Ioana Popa
@thebeautyinmybackyard
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ioana Popa, a passionate and talented #PIstudent. In this interview, Ioana shares insights into her journey in photography, the inspirations behind her work, and her experience studying at The Photography Institute.
Let’s dive in!
Born and raised in Romania, I have been calling Australia home for the past ten years. Being an outdoorsy person, living in Australia has been a true blessing; it offers endless opportunities for nature photography.
I am a social introvert with a very bubbly personality. While my time in solitude is a vital part of my well-being (it’s how I recharge my energy), I am very sociable and can connect with others meaningfully quite easily. Though I am picky, I won’t deny that.
I come from a humanistic background with a degree in psychology and extensive experience working in organizations focused on people's well-being. I am an autodidact, and I admit that sometimes I learn just for the sake of learning. It fascinates me to see how my mind, thinking, and even my worldview change with every drop of knowledge I acquire.
I wanted to become a counsellor, and I actually did counselling for a few years – dream accomplished! I was a Career Counsellor.
At a more personal level, I wanted to travel, discover the world, and live in a place with mostly sunny days where Christmas is summertime. So… I ended up in Australia. Be careful what you wish for, right?
The OM System 90mm f3.5 macro lens.
Besides taking photos of insects, I'm an avid reader, I love cycling, and I'm a passionate board gamer. However, chess is my number one choice. And a couple of more recent additions: I'm learning pencil drawing and creative writing.
Image Source: Ioana Popa
@thebeautyinmybackyard
Photography has been in my life for a very long time; I guess I inherited at least a part of the passion if not all, from my father. He used to love taking photos, mostly film. He had set up his own dark room where he would spend hours developing the films.
The first photos I ever took were on film, mostly from trips, at school events or friends’ birthdays. Unlike my father, I had them developed at a specialised lab. I never became a big fan of film photography, though. My first digital camera was an HP Photosmart M307 3.2MP which was actually my father’s. I took it with me to the UK, where I was doing a European Voluntary Service program for a year, working with people with special needs. This was 20 years ago.
That was replaced by smartphones, which became better and better at taking photos. But life got busier and busier, so I never did get around to putting the time and energy into developing my craft.
When the pandemic hit, somehow, photography found a way back into my life. I know it’s such a cliché these days, but the pandemic did influence the course of my life in ways that I could have never anticipated. One of them was rekindling my passion for photography. The pandemic did take a toll on my mental health, but living in Perth, I had Kings Park so close by that it became my photography practice ground. And it healed me. I spent two months just walking around the bushes with my camera and phone, chasing critters, looking for flowers, leaves, raindrops, and texture, and finding awe in every corner I looked at. After these intense two months, it was obvious that postponing this passion was no longer an option. It's part of me, and it’s been waiting for the right moment to make its way back into my life. To let you in on a secret, I dreamed of an activity that would allow me to be outdoors frequently, that I would enjoy and find some benefits in doing, but never once has photography entered the list. Funny how life puts all the pieces in their rightful place.
I do, yes. I like to start my days with a good cup of coffee and a short walk and end them with either a good movie, a game of chess, or some reading before bedtime. During the day, I set aside some time to work on activities and assessments for my PI Diploma and some time to read and research. But no day is the same as the one before it. Some days I just read something related to photography for a few hours then move on to something else. While others, I’m either outdoors shooting the world, editing images, or both, if there’s enough time.
Image Source: Ioana Popa
@thebeautyinmybackyard
My short to mid-term goal is to graduate from the PI course and enter the photography industry. Also, I would love to get involved in photography projects that have the potential to positively influence the community, projects that have the power to give a voice to those who desperately need it, or even some environmental projects. More of a long-term goal is writing, teaching or mentoring others who wish to improve their photographic skills. ,
If competitions and exhibitions count, then yes. Last year, I entered eight images into a local annual competition, “Spring in the Hills”, in Kalamunda, WA, with the top 150 images to be invited into the live exhibition open to the public. Seven of my images have been invited to the exhibition. Though I wasn’t one of the official winners, for me, it was a real win.
I don’t really believe in the separation between work and life per se, so I never really thought about it in these terms. A lot of activities in my life involve the word “work,” so the only balance that I am striving for is between my mental and physical health.
My main goal is to avoid burnout. To achieve this, I’m doing my best to diversify my daily activities. Planning in advance also helps, especially if I consider when I best focus on specific types of tasks. For example, my best time to learn or work on tasks that require decision-making or analytical thinking is in the morning. On the other hand, my creativity is really high after dark and late at night. That’s usually when I’m working on images, writing, drawing, or even sketching new plans and ideas. Most of the time I start my day with a walk right before breakfast, which also boosts my energy. I keep a regular exercise routine, with walking and cycling taking a central role.
One other thing I learned over the years is to pay attention to any signs letting me know that I need to take a break. For example, If I read a book and my mind starts to wander so much that I don’t know what I’ve read at the end of the page, it’s time to take a break. Or get some sleep.
Very important, though: I don’t multitask. I’m most productive when I focus on one task at a time. This surely helps my brain on a long run and will save some energy for other activities or hobbies.
In some respects, yes, but it's not the most important piece of the puzzle.
Image Source: Ioana Popa
@thebeautyinmybackyard
Yellow.
Oh, is such a long list, to be honest. I will tell you my top three book genres; it's easier that way:
Macro photography, my heart's dearest. It fascinates me to see how the tiny world looks close up. And there is no shortage of subjects for macro shots; there is something to shoot all around me. Insects, flowers, textures, small objects, raindrops, you name it. And the fact that my macro photography kit is very light. I only need the body camera, a good macro lens and maybe some extra light. There's not a lot of equipment to carry, so it motivates me even more not to leave my camera at home most of the time.
The fact that I can learn on my own time with no tight deadlines made a world of difference. Also, I need a level of structure to learn a new skill instead of turning on the ever-flowing tap of information, which we call the “internet,” and getting confused rather than learning the craft. I've been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.
The content of the modules is easy to read through. Having access to a great tutor with such a wealth of experience under his belt and being able to ask him anything and everything makes a huge difference. I don’t shy away from bombarding him with questions if I get stuck, and that’s helped me progress nicely so far. It’s easy to get stuck or confused when studying alone. I can see the quality of my work improving with every activity and from one module to the next.
Once again, I learned in my own time with no strict assessment deadlines. I had a few life challenges during my enrolment, including an elbow fracture that took almost two years to fully heal and which didn’t allow me to hold a camera or carry my gear around for shooting. So, a flexible schedule surely helped.
The same advice I was given when I started on this journey. Always remember your “Whys”. Why do you like photography, and why did you decide to learn it in the first place? The work can get overwhelming at times, especially the technical bits. And it may feel like it’s not worth it. But if there is one thing you love about photography that makes you go back to it repeatedly, keep that at the forefront as your beacon. And remember to ask your tutor. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Also, don't be afraid to make mistakes and be open to constructive criticism. We need both to grow and become better at what we do.
Catching up on my work for the diploma and getting ready for this year’s “Spring in the Hills” competition.
Through my social media photography profiles or on Facebook. PI alumni and students can find me among the members of the PI Facebook groups. Drop me a message anytime!
Follow Ioana’s work on Instagram.
Flickr: Ioanapopa
Instagram: @thebeautyinmybackyard
Image Source: Ioana Popa
@thebeautyinmybackyard
Ioana’s journey is a true testament to the power of following your passion, embracing change, and continually learning. From a career in counselling to capturing the beauty of nature through her lens, she proves that it’s never too late to pursue what truly inspires you.
If her story has sparked your own creative ambitions, why not take the next step? The Photography Institute offers the flexibility and expert guidance to help you turn your passion into a skill—just like Ioana did.
Enrolon our acccreditated photography course today and start your journey!
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