Meet Zina Perlman | Photographer & Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zina Perlman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Life is all about taking risks. I believe that to get to where you want to go, you always need to risk failing. Without taking risks, it would be very hard to achieve your goals because I believe in this world you get what you give. Specifically in my life and career I’ve taken many risks that have led me to where I am today, opening my business and doing what I love for a living; photographing food & architecture. Yes, it can be scary to make big jumps from career paths to jobs and investing in yourself but if you won’t do it, no one will do it for you. One of the biggest risks I took was leaving Pratt Institute where I was studying architecture to focus more on art direction. At the moment no one could understand why I would leave such an amazing career path when I was doing so well and advancing so quickly but I knew that to achieve my goals I had to take the risk of leaving something great to get to something even greater. If you want something, you need to go out and get it without letting the risks hold you back. I believe that with big risks come even bigger rewards.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has taken many turns that have led me to where I am today. I truly believe that every decision I’ve made, big or small, has led me to this moment, starting my own photography and art direction company. After studying architecture in Pratt Institute and then art direction in University of Miami I began working as an art director for a big advertising agency, then called SapientNitro now Sapient Razorfish. While I was there, I realized that what I really loved most about the job was being in productions and behind the camera. That’s when my itch for photography began. At first it was really hard to think about wanting to get into a new career path and asking myself all the questions. Is it too late to start something new? Should I leave such a great company for something I’m not sure will work? But I knew I had to follow my instincts. That was when I left my career on pause and went back to school for photography while doing some freelance design and art direction on the side. After working as a photography assistant and doing some freelance work, I found my passion in food and architecture photography. My love for food and photographing it came from inspiration of my personal chef and husband, Isaac Perlman. Not only has he been an inspiration for my work and my best admirer/critique but we also work really well together. I would say that what sets me apart from other photographers in Miami is my background in architectural studies and my past work as an art director. This gives me an edge in being able to visualize what works best from brand to brand as well as finding the right lines and spatial perspectives for all my work. I don’t just look to take great pictures to have in my portfolio but I am able to understand a brand’s story and help them tell that story to their audience. It has not been easy and I am only at the beginning of my career but what I have learned most through this experience is that life is short and if you want something you have to go out and get it. Hard work and learning from everyone and every experience has been and keeps being my route to success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If COVID19 was not a thing and a friend was coming to Miami for a week I would want to give them a taste of the different parts of Miami. A little bit of the urban, cool downtown and midtown, a little latin spice, maybe some high end shopping and a lot of the melting pot of cuisines we have here. For sure I would take them to some of my favorite museums like the PAMM, the Frost Museum and the Wolfsonian. For drinks and good music I would take them to Broken Shaker, Terras, Mama Joon, and Wood tavern. For food I would probably take them for brunch to 27 restaurant at the Freehand, some sushi at Omakai, some italian in Sapore di mare in coconut grove and then walk around the grove, for some poke bowls and a fun afternoon to Upper Buena Vista, Etaru in Hallandale for the nice ocean views and the new Boia De. I would also make sure they get a taste of the Bal Harbor beach boardwalk and Design District shops and little cafes. For sure some water activities like paddle boarding during sunrise and then driving through South Beach’s art deco architecture. And for my favorite part, the sweets, I would take them to Fireman Dereks for some delicious pies and milkshakes and the Salty Donut. Of course there are so many other places to visit but they would probably have to stay longer than a week to really get to know all the great parts of Miami.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to Jorge Parra, one of my favorite photography professors and by far my biggest mentor in the industry. His passion for his work and the way he teaches others inspired me to go out and find what I loved. His knowledge and support have helped me get to where I am and keep me focused on where I want to go. It’s so important to find that person or team that you can always count on not only to mentor you but also to inspire you and keep you moving forward.

Website: zinaperlman.com
Instagram: @zdperlman
Linkedin: Zina Perlman

Image Credits
All images including personal photo were taken and styled by me.