Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Quinn Saine. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Quinn, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
I come from a tennis-playing and artistic family; my father and grandfather have been honored with a place in the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Furthermore, my mother was a competitive player in her youth, and both are talented photographers.
I cannot express enough gratitude to my parents for their unwavering support in nurturing my passions throughout my life’s journey – be it in photography, travel, or on the tennis court.
Growing up amidst the vast cornfields of rural Indiana, I never imagined that those countless hours spent on the tennis court would pave the way for me to embark on world travel, manage tennis programs at luxurious resorts, forge lifelong friendships, and develop a profound love for photography.
None of these incredible experiences would have been possible without my parents’ dedication and sacrifices. They invested their time and efforts to help me develop both as a tennis player and as a person, both on and off the court.
Their valuable lessons taught me the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. And in moments of uncertainty, both in tennis and life, they taught me to extend the benefit of the doubt to others.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The impetus for my journey as a photographer unquestionably stemmed from the desire to capture and share the breathtaking landscapes, coastlines, and oceans that I had the privilege of experiencing while traveling the world as part of an international tennis management company.
My ultimate goal was to inspire others to embark on their own journeys, immerse themselves in awe-inspiring experiences, and develop a profound appreciation for our incredible world. Traveling has been an exceptional teacher, challenging me to embrace discomfort and seek personal growth.
Photography, in particular, has pushed me to share my creations even before I feel fully prepared, encouraging vulnerability and the courage to unveil images that deeply resonate with me. It took years of consistent practice to find and refine my unique style, as I initially struggled with burnout while attempting to replicate other photographers’ work.
However, a serendipitous moment changed everything for me. While experimenting with a different lens and inadvertently adjusting the wrong settings, I captured a stunningly blurry yet captivating abstract ocean scape. This accidental discovery introduced me to a color block style that instantly became my favorite way to shoot, garnering a wonderful response from audiences.
As a result of this newfound style, I’ve achieved significant milestones in my photography journey. I could feel I had something unique and desirable to clients when I had the honor of a solo art exhibition, installing a large piece at the University of Nebraska, and the inaugural cover of ICM Magazine. Moreover, I had the opportunity to handle the branding for my best friend Joey Coleman’s KAI CBD, which is transitioning into a dispensary brand come 2024. In these moments, I realized that true fulfillment as a photographer came from creating images that genuinely brought me joy rather than replicating others’ work. As Dr. Seuss so aptly put it, “There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
Undoubtedly, the creative path has its moments of doubt and uncertainty, and I, too, faced numerous occasions when I contemplated giving up. Yet, I made a promise to myself to persevere. One of my favorite quotes by Mac Miller resonates deeply with me: “The number one reason why people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go, instead of how far they’ve gotten.” I often reflect on this quote, acknowledging the importance of celebrating the small victories that eventually pave the way for significant accomplishments.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Through photography, I have been able to establish relationships with incredibly talented artists who are willing to share their stories and experiences.
There are many times when I have reached out to other photographers to ask advice, thinking there’s no way they will respond, and who have given me in-depth, thoughtful responses which are some of my most heartwarming moments.
An example would be from legendary photographer and creative John Barton, who passed along this beauty, “if you keep shooting the stuff you love – the stuff that inspires you (even if that changes over time” – then that passion will show through in your work, and people will pick up on it. If you’re inspired when you create, you’ll create inspiring things.”
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
What a journey it has been to navigate social media, especially Instagram. Back in 2018, I invested countless hours in researching the most popular hashtags, carefully tagging my images with relevant pages and profiles, and tirelessly engaging with posts in specific hashtags. It became quite an obsession as I understood the significance of Instagram in building my brand and attracting followers.
However, as 2023 rolled around, I made a pivotal decision to take a much-needed six-month hiatus from all things Instagram. This break allowed me to step back, reassess my priorities, and regain a healthier perspective on social media usage.
Nowadays, I no longer find myself at odds with the platform’s algorithm. Instead, I post occasionally and focus on creating meaningful content. My experience has taught me the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to Instagram, ensuring that it doesn’t consume too much of my time and energy.
One valuable piece of advice I’d offer to others is to strike a healthy equilibrium between your time spent on Instagram and your focus on creative endeavors. While Instagram can be a valuable tool for building connections and engaging with your audience, it’s crucial not to let it overshadow the core purpose of your work.
On a positive note, Instagram’s direct message feature has proven to be an effective means of establishing direct connections with brands. This direct approach allows for meaningful conversations and potential collaboration opportunities, making it a valuable asset in growing your brand and network.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.quinnsaine.com
- Instagram: @quinnsaine
Image Credits
Photos by Quinn Saine