Interview: Anna Petrow - Food + Travel Photographer
We like to take time to highlight women we see out in the world doing their part to make the world a little nicer. In this Real Nice Lady Spotlight, we’re talking to Anna Petrow, Photographer, about the importance of community and kindness in a time of instability.
Job Title/Profession
Photographer
Favorite Drink?
Spicy Margarita– ideally with Mean Mule silver!
Favorite Food?
Pasta, in any form.
Karaoke Song?
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
Old Ojai by Josh Dillard
Female icon you would be for Halloween?
Julia Child– I would also like to be her when I grow up.
Telling as little or as much as you want, how are you feeling these days?
Best described as a roller coaster: some days hopeful, plenty of days sad and scared. Lots of time spent, fuming at the federal level response (or lack thereof, rather). But I’d say of all the many overwhelming feelings I’m experiencing, I’m doing my best to be dominated by gratitude. Which feels easy when you look at the many leaders in our community showing up with kindness, ingenuity and strength. So I guess you could say the other feeling I’m having a lot these days is pride in our local small business owners, community organizers and innovators. There are so many, and I look to them to guide me on the darker days.
What, if anything, are you enjoying about quarantine?
SO much cooking! And cocktail-making. Endless puppy snuggles. Dill has truly never been happier.
What part(s) of your life during the pandemic have made you rethink your "normal" life?
I am in no rush to return to the non-stop busy schedule, of which I've always been a culprit. My hope is to continue to carve out downtime for myself, my home, and my family. I am also loving long phone calls catching up with friends spread out all over the country– that's a habit I plan to keep.
What first attracted you to your current profession?
My dad gave me his old film camera the summer after sixth grade, I think, and it was pretty much an immediate obsession. Learning on film was the best thing I could have done for myself, from a technical perspective– but the rest was just an instant attraction to the art.
What is your favorite thing about your industry? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing about my industry is how collaborative it is– I always say, in KC it feels a lot more about community than competition, and I've met so many incredible artists, stylists, chefs, and fellow photographers through my work. Many of them have become dear friends and mentors. My least favorite is what we're all experiencing right now: the innate instability of our industry, which has been extremely exacerbated by the pandemic. It takes a lot to put yourself out there and find work: it's time-consuming, at times emotional, and at times exhausting– but worth it.
What do you want for the future of your industry?
Many things, but accessibility might sum it all up. I don't think you need a fancy camera or a degree to make great photographs for a client– just like I don't think a business has to be limited to having sub-par imagery just because they’re small, or just getting started. I believe there’s a great photographer out there for every budget, and that every business should care about putting their best face forward. I’m not on board with the old guard way of thinking; that you have to price things a certain way or have certain experience to be “worthy” of the title of photographer. This creative path should be open to any who want to take it, and we can get there by being mindful of who we hire, and opening the door with enthusiasm for as many budding creatives as we can.
What was the idea or driving force behind KC Runs on Hospitality?
The driving idea? Forming a lifeline for our local hospitality workers and restaurants, who weren’t (and still aren’t!) receiving the federal aid they deserve. The driving force? Some incredible partners, like designer Frank Norton, the non-profit Kanbe’s Markets which helped us run the logistics of the fundraiser, and of course the formidable Danielle Lehmen who helped make this idea a reality. To date we’ve helped over 45 local restaurants support their employees, fed hundreds of meals to local hospitality workers, and raised over $65,000. You can help us keep going by buying a sweatshirt, or donating to our virtual tip jar.
What advice would you give other women trying to succeed in your industry?
Help other women. That's it for me: lift up other females who are trying to make it in this industry. Cheer each other on– and never tear each other down. We all benefit from a rising tide. Plus, 100% of the ladies I've met in this industry are freaking awesome, so it's kind of a no brainer.
What was a formative moment in your life that made you who you are?
I don't think I can pin this on a period of time, so much as people: my parents encouraged me early on to pursue photography when they saw how much I loved it, and my patient sister was my willing model from day one– and still my biggest cheerleader. I leaned on family, and my fiancé Patrick, a lot during the early days of starting my business for encouragement, and I needed a big dose of that again this year when things turned upside down. I’m so lucky to have them.
I had some truly incredible teachers. Dow Tate, the journalism advisor at my high school (Shawnee Mission East), was probably the most pivotal person in my life when it comes to my career– any you wouldn't believe the long list of accomplished journalists that would tell you the same thing. Also, Rita Reed and David Rees, the gems of University of Missouri’s photojournalism program. Teachers are incredible.
I also have had some great editors/art directors over the year that instilled a lot of confidence in me: Alex Povis and Heather Riske at Feast Magazine, Pavia Rosati and Jeralyn Gerba at Fathom, Robert Hellweg at Today KC, and my New York Times editors, whose emails still make me pinch myself every time I hear from them. And of course, my clients who over the years have made me feel like family. There are the ones who took a chance on my work early on, like Ted Habiger (Room 39), Michael and Nancy Smith, Sarah Hoffman (Green Dirt Farm), and Erin Brown (Dolce Bakery). There are the ones I turn to for advice, like Robin Krause (Unbakery), Jessica Armstrong (Novel), Lauren Merriman (The Nelle) and Tyler Enders (Made in KC). And there are the ones who I'm feeling especially grateful for right now, who are dropping off product and food for me to photograph from home: Jo Marie Scaglia (The Mixx), Lindsay Goff (Sweet Petites), and Kate Barker (Zen Donkey Farms).
They have all shaped my work, and my relationships with this community, and I am immensely grateful.
When do you feel the strongest in your life? When do you feel the most vulnerable in your life?
I feel strongest when I know I'm doing good work on behalf of the people supporting me. I mean clients; but also being a good friend, daughter, sister, or partner. I feel the most vulnerable when I fear that I'm failing those people. 99% of the time that feeling is in your head (yay, anxiety!), but even on those rare occasions when you're actually failing: that's okay too. All we can do is our best.
How has your relationship with failure changed over the course of your career?
I think there’s a natural evolution as you grow older where you begin to listen more to your own voice than to those around. When I know I’m doing the best I can, I am better at believing that now. It’s still a struggle, but you know who has helped me grow here the most? Fellow friends in the industry like I mentioned earlier– talented women like Katie Currid (who I jokingly refer to as my work therapist), Amy McDaniel (love you, boo) and Alyssa Broadus, who candidly share their own fears of shortcomings with me, and always offer sage advice. So maybe my own relationship with failure hasn’t changed so much– rather, I’ve made relationships with people who’ve helped me normalize it, and be more forgiving with myself about it.
Given the state of the world, what have you been doing to maintain your mental health lately?
Doing my best to hit the usual checklist of water (I am so bad at drinking water!! Send advice!), movement, meditation, journaling/talking it out, etc., but let's be real: some days that isn't cutting it. Other things that help: going on walks for a change of scenery, cooking something new, watching old movies, cute animal videos, cookies, wine... or just letting myself be down for the day when I need to.
Who are five women that inspire you?
I think I already cheated and listed like a dozen women a few questions ago... but yay, now I can add five more! I'm going to take this opportunity to talk non-profit.
I'm eternally inspired by my dear friend Tara Raghuveer, fearless advocate and exceptional organizer of KC Tenants (we met at mathletics in the sixth grade. We were always cool).
Danielle Lehman of Open Belly has been my quarantine hero: from her treasure trove of inspiring Open Belly podcasts, to her astonishingly quick launch of Curbside KC (a restaurant resource for customers seeking curbside eats), which transitioned to a curbside notary service during the election– she's a force in the food industry, and I'm proud to know her.
Another person I'm proud to call my friend: Margaux Guignon with First Call, an organization that like many was thrown a big curveball with in-person clinic and school closures. She's helped them pivot quickly to providing their drug and alcohol prevention services to students via Zoom, and she's even been known to Postmates dinner to her kids to thank them for participating.
Lastly, the ladies of Kanbe's Markets: Linda Buchner, Carmen Hatten, Alicia Kramme and Mary Marty. Their combined creativity and intelligence helped launch Kanbe's services into the forefront of the crisis, providing thousands of Kansas Citians with fresh food.