We came across Robyn ‘s work a few years ago and became fans immediately. Not only does she seem to constantly surround herself with amazing settings; British Columbia Wilderness, Hawaiian Islands, Desert Landscapes, but she also has a consistant cast of absolutely astounding people to photograph all of the time. There is a love hate relationship that takes place when looking at her images, love for the moments she captures, her relationship with her subjects, the way seems she to catch a time and place intimate and special or ferocious and powerful. There is a hate as well, or maybe to use a less strong word, envy, for the way her photography makes us long to be at the beaches, jungles, rain forests, or the Playa of Burning Man. The bottom line, Robyn Penn is a Genius, watch for her. We can’t wait to see where she goes next, who she will photograph, and what moment she’ll capture.
Without further delay we present Burning Man, through the lens of Robyn Penn.
For the full experience click on the photos to make them larger, it’s definitely worth it.
Where you from and where do you live now?
born in New Zealand, grew up in Victoria BC, live in Maui. started taking serious photos or taking my photography seriously when i moved to maui and couldn’t work legally.
being an illegal alien turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it kind of gave me permission to take something ‘less serious’ seriously.
What got you into taking photos?
i studied biology in university… a ‘steady for sure thing’ with a promising future… and photography was just something i did on weekends. it took almost a decade, and a move to maui to admit that i was in love… passionately in love. a fleeting romance had progressed to the point where i had to make a commitment and focus (neither of which come naturally to me) and it was time to bring it home to meet my mom.
Who inspires you?
my family and friends. i am blessed with incredible parents.. they have always provided me and my siblings with the perfect balance of supportive roots and a rich environment and space to cultivate our craziest ideas/dreams.
i am surrounded by inspiring people and there is such a contagious quality to being around other people who are inspired in their own lives.
what inspires you?
sensuality… human chemistry… the way people interact with each other or their environment.
If you were going to direct a film what would it be about?
sensuality and human chemistry
Where is your special place? why?
underwater. i find it very comforting… probably because that’s where we all began. i think that its the closest my inner reality comes to matching my physical reality… i very much exist inside my mind;)
whats a typical day in the life of Robyn Penn?
that depends where i am… my typical day on maui is simplistically (or maddeningly) simple.. consists of getting up, making coffee, editing for a couple hours, getting in the ocean, surf/run/sup/bodysurf/sail/swim/snorkle.. something active… i photograph most days.. surf, wedding, portrait, or whatever creative project i am in the depths of… watch a lot of sunsets, drink a lot of wine, host a lot of canadians.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive!” – Henry Miller or “A book should be sought after even if it has only one great page in it. We must search for fragments, splinters, toenails. Anything that has ore in it. Anything that is capable of resurrecting the body mind or soul.” – Henry Rollins
Who is the person you most want to photograph in this world?
i would love to continue photographing new people.
my desire to photograph a person stems from falling in love… discovering an aspect of a personality or person that i identify with inspires me to photograph them… hope that i keep meeting people that i fall a little bit in love with.
Visit her website here.
Visit her blog here.
