Tina's story

Why Tina B? Because I have a big Bulgarian name that no one can pronounce or spell.

Why “Foto” with “F”? Because it is a representation of my life story of two continents - (Europe and the USA) between which I live and connect the dots both on a personal and creative level.

I was born on the verge of a major political and social change in Eastern Europe. Against all odds and in an era without internet or cell phones, I won an academic scholarship and moved to the USA at age 18. Since then I zigzagged between the East and West Coast, the UK, Italy and travelled the world. New York City has been my home base for the last 16 years. A decade of my adult life was dedicated to a career in finance in NYC after completing a Master of Business Administration at Duke University. Recalibrating to a profession in photography was only possible after two years at the International Center of Photography in NYC as well as studying Renaissance Art History and Studio Photography in Florence, Italy.

I consider myself a cultural nomad and source my inspiration both from the hectic streets and colorful madness of NYC as well as the savage nature, peaceful whites and rich traditions of the contrasting remote islands in Greece and Italy where I spend my summers. I can never get enough of Africa. All of my cameras and studio lights have names after my favorite Florentine Renaissance painters.

The most impactful and socially rewarding assignment of my photography career came through Facebook in 2018. Lansinoh sponsored me to travel to 19 countries in 5 continents in 2 months and create a global women empowerment and breastfeeding awareness campaign later published in Global Citizen, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, ABC news, Good morning America, and others. Other work from fashion and travel projects has been published in print in Cosmopolitan Bulgaria, PUMP Magazine (cover), Horizont Magazine (Germany), National Geographic, New York Post, Harper One Publishing, L’Orafo Italiano, Corriere della Serra, Bulgarka Magazine, Spisanie Osem, interviews on Bulgarian National TV and in exhibitions in the US, Italy and Bulgaria.

New York City Clients: Fashion/Bags/Shoes: Etienne Agnier, Botkier, Nine West Australia, Duffy’s, Hollie Watman, Vyayama, Gemma Girls NYC; Jewely: Ilaria Lanzoni; Interiors: Ligne Roset, Kartell, Kohler, Florim, Independent Interior Designers; Restaurants/Bars/Food: Bar Goto, Gelateria Gentile, Epistrophy, Fiaschetteria Pistoia, SOS Chefs etc.