hello! i’m tina
Food Photographer & Recipe Developer
I’m food photographer, recipe developer and holistic based out of Ontario, Canada. I’d love to tell you a little bit about how I got here!
My journey into holistic nutrition was definitely not a straight line. It had several twists and turns along the way. What would life be without that? I went to the University of Toronto to study criminology and sociology because I was determined to like those agents on the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) shows. That dream began to crumble when I got suspended because I couldn’t keep my grades up (oops). Long story short, I went back after a year, finished my program and came out with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. But…there is always a “but”. I had a major “a ha” moment.
So when I got suspended, I was off for a year and had a whole lot of time to think about what I truly wanted to do. It didn’t really click right away but when it clicked, ohhh did it ever click! You know those magazines you find at the check-out lanes at the grocery store? Cosmopolitan, hello, Canada!, etc.? I started browsing through Women’s Health as I waited in line with my mom. It quickly piqued my interest and I bought the magazine (well, my mom did. Thanks mom!). I ended up signing up to receive the magazine monthly through one of those offers that always seem to fall out of those magazines. I didn’t think too much of it, but when I went back to school, I found myself reading the magazines while I was supposed to be writing an essay or reading the giant stack of textbooks beside me.
After I graduated, I came across the Joyous Health blog and saw that Joy went to The Institute of Holistic Nutrition. The curious cat that I am, I looked them up, booked a tour, enrolled, boom. It all happened so quickly! I walked into my first class and instantly knew that this was where I was meant to be.
Fast forward to the present day, I had a wonderful private practice for five years and loved every second of it. I helped many people create a life they love without restrictions. Healthy, happy and living their best lives (this includes donuts, by the way)! This wouldn’t have been possible with my own health struggles. Through those struggles, I learned to whole-heartedly trust the process and surrender to finding my way back to the Tina I once knew (she’s even better now!).
The universe works in mysterious ways, well I don’t believe it was mysterious. It was all unfolding how it was supposed to. I landed a cookbook deal with a big publisher and I was going to take my own photos for it. I had never used a professional DSLR camera before so I basically threw myself into it. I taught myself how to use it (that was fun, ha!). I created over 60 recipes and took thousands of photos. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this project. Due to creative differences and me standing up for my brand and my vision, the deal fell through. At the time I was devastated but wow, it was a blessing! It led me to exactly where I’m meant to be.
I am now a full-time recipe developer and food photographer. Like, what? I never would have thought this was the path I was meant to be on! While I no longer have a private practice, I still get to use my nutritionist hat in the work I do now. I get to create recipes for health and wellness brands that align with my values and of course, creating content for all of you!
Always trust the process. It will lead you to where you’re supposed to be.
xoxo,
Tina
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Fun Facts
- I’m Greek 🇬🇷
- Favourite Sport: Soccer ⚽ (I played for over 20 years)
- Favourite Things: Donuts, Cappuccinos, Pizza, Fries, Wine, Walks by the water
- Quote I Live by: What is yours will find you
- Love Languages: Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service
