Anette is a destination lifestyle photographer from Sweden, previously based in the south of France, now living in Athens, Greece. Her style is modern, with a subtle elegance, a touch of playfulness and empowerment, full of emotions and character. After years of photographing families and lifestyle, she is now establishing herself as a destination wedding photographer based in Greece. Anette has a history of owning and running an event company for 10 years, so the transition into wedding photography is natural progression of her lifestyle photography, utilising her full portfolio of knowledge and experience.
Let’s dive into her interview and get to know her a little better…
- Could you share a defining moment in your life, that led you where you are today?
Anette: Photography has been with me since I was in school. I chose photography when others chose languages as their optional subject in school. Having that said, I did catch up and now speak 4 languages and am working on my fifth. The defining moment was probably when I photographed my best friend with her newborn baby, at that moment I felt that newborn and family photography was my calling. Wedding photography was always in the pipeline, but I’m a true believer in following your gut feeling, and allowing destiny to have it’s say on when the time is right. Moving to Greece definitely motivated me to take this step.
- You are currently entering the world of wedding photography. What made you pursue that path and what is your favorite part about shooting weddings?
Anette: My 10 year history of running an event company, my career as a photographer, and moving to Greece all play a part as the trigger for adding wedding photography to my skills. I follow my instinct, and there has been an overwhelming drive for me to pursue this path, I feel I can’t ignore it. Wedding photography has been an ambition of mine for many years, but I stayed far away from it purely out of fear, I let insecurities dominate me and I was worried I couldn’t deliver. Then I realised I perform well under pressure, and I established a certain experience and confidence that reduced that fear. I think with time I understood that I have something to offer, and this is where I am meant to be.
- What gets your creative juices flowing? What inspires you?
Anette: Everything, literally. As of lately I feel the creative side of me exploding, and I need to direct this into a purposeful strategy. I gather inspiration from everything I see, may it be a social media post, a berry growing on a tree (that’s how my “Flat lay Friday” concept was created), a fashion campaign in Vogue, or just the sun streaming through the window creating a shadow play. I’m in an evolutionary phase of my career, where I am defining what it is I want to achieve, where I want to position myself, which creative ideas are worth pursuing, and what image I have of my brand and my work. It has taken it’s time for me to establish this, but I firmly believe that everything has it’s time and place, and now is my time.
- Mantra or words of wisdom that you live by?
Anette: Learn to listen to your instinct. Everything has it’s time and place, and when the time is right, you will know it.
- Favourite podcast, book, movie and Netflix series?
Anette: I’m a girly tomboy at heart. Contrasting? Yes. So am I. I can enjoy a roaring car movie like “Gone in 60 seconds (don’t judge me), but I also love a historical time piece, beautiful costumes and époque architecture. Lately I binge watched “The Bridgertons”. I have seen Anna Karenina a million times and also find Chinese historical movies fascinating.
- You recently moved in to Greece. What do you enjoy most about living in Athens and do you think moving in Athens has created new carrier opportunities?
Anette: By all means it has enabled a new opportunity for me, being closer to the destination weddings that are held here. The climate, the food and the people are what makes Greece so unique, so authentic. Considering the nature that we have at our disposal, the islands, the beaches, the sea. It’s like a never-ending opportunity of locations at your doorstep. Of course it’s a challenge to establish oneself in a new place, but it also means I am not coloured by the standards that are preset.
- Would you like to share with us something that you have discovered recently and think that the whole world should know about it? (recipe, movie, place for coffee, whatever)?
Anette: Yes, but more of a philosophy: Don’t be afraid to ask. The worst you can get is a no, but if you don’t ask, you will never know. I have recently let go of fears and restrictions, and approached people I thought I would never get the chance to talk to, or work with, and voila! These superhumans are also mortal, and approachable, and possibly interested in talking to you too. A whole new world opened up because I dared to take the first step.
- Would you like to share a sneak peek into your future plans?
Anette: I am gathering material and building a platform that will represent me and my work in this new field. Unfortunately I’m held back by Covid, homeschooling and travel restrictions. Nonetheless I have a clear plan of what I am working towards, so for now, I am letting time take it’s toll, and wait for the right moment to launch.
- What is the most important lesson you personally learned through the pandemic? Which lesson that we – as a society- have been taught through the Covid crisis, do you wish we would carry along when we get back to normality?
Anette: As an entrepreneur, especially if you are your brand, I believe we have learnt how important it is to take time for oneself, and that self-care and education is the best investment you can make. If you are not taking care of yourself, you can not expect to take good care of your brand, your family or community.
- Would you like to share a secret with us?
Anette: haha. It wouldn’t remain a secret if I shared it.
- When we get back to normality, which is the first destination you would like to travel to and who would be the first person that would like to hug?
Anette: I can’t wait to go back to Paris, and London. I have kept hugging the people that I love through this pandemic, and I have been fortunate to be able to travel to see my family in Sweden twice, but what I long for, is to be able to go and see the elderly people that are sitting at home all alone, or locked up in a retirement home. They need us.
- What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding in 2021?
Anette: Plan for the late season, and if possible, plan for a small wedding, then expand if the restrictions were to be lifted. If you decide to downsize, redirect parts of the budget towards your vendor dream team. With weddings, and events in general, I personally prefer quality over quantity, now you have the perfect opportunity to invite only those who truly matter to you.
- Is there anything you wish to add?
Anette: There is. I’m really honoured and thankful to be considered for this series of interviews you are presenting. I’m new in town and I have a steep hill to climb, I appreciate it.
This or That
Puzzles or board games??
Anette: Puzzles
Singing or dancing?
Anette: Singing
Yoga or Pilates?
Anette: Pilates
Cook at home or take out?
Anette: Cook at home
Explore the islands or the mainland?
Anette: Explore the islands
Your three desert island items?
Anette: I’m a practical geek, so a knife, a hat, and a small camera
Connect with Anette Linardatos
Instagram: @anettecook
Instagram: @anetteandrosephotography
Website: www.anettecook.com