We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tina Mai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tina below.
Tina, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose in doing it for the people. Doing wrestling photography, it was never completely about the pictures, or about the jobs, or even about me taking photographs—it was always about the people. The wrestlers in the locker room, the audience, other photographers/creatives, the people who have kindly lended me their guidance and support every single time without failure, I do it for them. These connections and friends I’ve made from this community has been huge, and they’re amazing people. They walk into the locker room and put in the same amount of effort and hard work to work towards their own goal, and it’s inspiring, absolutely inspiring.
There’s so many important factors into chasing your goal. your dreams, and what you pursue in life—but wrestling is a hard career, you have to start from the bottom and build up. That’s how I found my purpose, being able to see the passion that they bring into the ring and execute it every show, as a photographer who’s at many of the shows, I watch them grow as wrestlers too.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was the age of 13/14 when I first picked up a camera. Around 2017-2018, my older brother (who is also a pro-wrestler) had brought me to my first indy wrestling show and I found that it was different from the wrestling you see on the television at home—it was more intimate and interactive. I made the decision to purchase a camera so that I could capture and keep these memories with me. I never realized how much of an impact it would have on me later on.
I didn’t get the opportunity to return to it for the next five years after, but I had still been in high school at that time and received many opportunities to do sports photography and school events for the school newspaper. Throughout that time, I was able to learn more about the art and works of photography in depth rather than just clicking a button and simply editing it in my photos app. I’m always grateful for my journalism teachers for being so supportive when I had learned so little at the time. After graduating high school, I went to a wrestling show for the first time in five years, and the spark ignited again. From there, I would go to shows more frequently. It wasn’t just a learning opportunity for me or a way for me to improve, but it’s fun. It’s exciting.
It wasn’t until the beginning of 2023 where I went full throttle with my photography. Instead of one show a month, it became 4-5 shows a month, specifically 28 shows so far this year. I was always told how hard it would be to go into the photography industry, and to “quit before you get in too deep”, especially with freelancing, but I also knew that I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try. I gained a lot of experience in doing in-ring photography the past nine months, and the chances I have been given have only made me more dedicated and motivated to my work. I’m thankful for everyone who has constantly believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, for the ones who have given me these opportunities, and for the ones who have taught me everything I know. This is only the beginning, and I really don’t know where I’ll go, but as long as I have a purpose for my photography, I’ll always continue to push harder.
“If you stop where you’re at, then that’s where you’ll always be. The only way to get to where you want is to keep moving. Run when you can. Crawl if you have to. But never stop.”
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being able to communicate. Communication is ALWAYS key. Being able to communicate with others, I’d say is the MOST important to clearly convey what you offer and what you’re searching for. It doesn’t just help you in your career, but it also aids you in create more connections whether you’re in school, at work, or even just out— it teaches you to network with others. With communication, it’ll save you from a lot of misunderstandings later on.
Being creative is always important, whatever “creative” means, is each to their own. Expanding on your ideas and the possibility of doing more than what you wanted from the start allows you to grow your own potential. Think outside of the box. For photography, try different angles, get closer (and possibly get kicked?), play around with the lighting—find your own style. You want to make a statement for your own work, show people why you’re worth their while—and DON’T compare yourself, where you are is not where they are; mind your own growth and keep pushing.
Don’t be scared to be at a standstill with your skills sometimes. There’s always this point where you stop for a little bit after pushing for so long, and that’s okay. Reevaluate rather than regress—think about your purpose for what you’re doing, and work with what you have. That’s growth in itself.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Mental health. Photography has always been therapeutic to me, but there was a point where it had just become photography rather than being a pleasurable hobby. I couldn’t balance it, but I also hated that I couldn’t improve more and more, and that’s where my own mind weighed me down. I reached a peak point in August where I needed to take a breather so I could reevaluate my own feelings and thoughts about everything because at that point I had become my own greatest enemy. I don’t think I’ve completely overcome it, but I think having a good grasp at your own self worth and being able to understand your needs is what’s most important to bring you back from moments where you feel like you can’t keep moving.
To conclude; take care of yourselves. You can’t take care of others if you can’t be there for yourself. If you need a breather, take a break; the world is still gonna be here.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tinasphotog
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinasphotog
Image Credits
@aim.to.capture on Instagram @masbvrd on Instagram
