Brief Intro:

Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of photographing gorgeous women for magazines like Vogue or Cosmopolitan. I thought it would be fantastic if this was what i did one day..24/7..it would be my dream job next to saving whales and marine life. After graduating with a degree in English Literature & Linguistics I decided to begin my own business “SarinaGito || Photography & Photo Retouching Services”. 

I created this blog in 2004 with the intention of reporting about my photo-shoots, learning experience and general updates of my life. It has turned into a blog about my photography related experiences, work progress and posts i feel i need to write to bring certain things to people’s attention. .

About Me:

I’m a professional creative photographer from the Caribbean (Sint. Maarten Dutch West Indies) but have made my home in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Interested in many different genres, I’ve been told that I cannot be a jack of all trades, thing is I do not care to be and having said that, I consider myself a “jane of many” I photograph what I love, what catches my eye and what i find interesting. . . I don’t believe in genres, there are so many boxes in the world and I choose to not put myself or my work into one. I am quite the stubborn type so I refuse to put myself in this specific genre of photography because others consider it ‘the correct way’. I’m different. I do not conform to these norms people have in this world..I DO agree that some of these ‘norms’ are necessary while others are manmade and fueled by aesthetics, hypocrisy and greed. I think it logical that no one binds themselves to this idea if we are to fight for a world with moral and reason.

Like many photographers, photography has been my passion for years. I have always been a creative character and at the age of 7 I already knew what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing, yes, holding a camera and carrying out photo-shoots of all sorts. At such a young age, i realized I loved everything about the workings of a camera, from beginning to end. This magnificent little machine can allow me to capture memories and moments and help me express myself. Fantastic!!! I have been quite infatuated with capturing these moments ever since.

After graduating high school in 97 I signed up for a scholarship and requested to study photography, unfortunately I was refused and advised to understand that photography was not a real career and that I would get nowhere with it. Having taken their advice into consideration (as young as I was) I continued on to study English Literature and Linguistics in Amsterdam. It was during my university study that I began to tire of classes and Amsterdam itself and ventured on to Eastern Europe, where I took many pictures and was incredibly intrigued once more with photography.

My work was considered so good that several of my images were used for magazines and ads in Eastern Europe, I went on to photographing theatrical performances and concerts which have also been published in the Netherlands. After returning to Amsterdam, i bought myself my first SLR and began delving into photography the way i first wanted to when i was a little girl. It was at this moment that I decided to carry out what i had always dreamed of and this time no one was going to tell me different or try to stop me. First stop with my camera was Rome, Italy, I took a number of photos which I have turned into my Italy series which has been featured on various online sites. I’m now graduated from University and working as a full time professional working photographer in Amsterdam, London and The Caribbean.

I am completely self taught in photography, listening to my instincts and being devoured by my muse. However, I am studying and learning everyday how to improve my current skills, one never stops learning and this is very true, there is always something new to be learned.

Photography has also been the tool which has saved my life. I was once a very troubled teenager who found comfort in self destruction namely self mutilation which landed me in a very mentally abusive relationship after moving to the Netherlands which in turn resulted in my having zero confidence and acquiring a very low esteem, this made me scared of the world and people’s judgements of me. It was when i picked up a camera again in 2004 that I rescued myself, so to speak. I took self portraits in the interest of figuring out different lighting situations, whilst doing that I rediscovered this beautiful person. This person was me. I am more than grateful for having overcome my fears, weaknesses, my struggle with myself, coping with the past, living and working in the now and planning for my future. The World is Mine.

People sometimes ask me why I take pictures, what I think about when shooting. To answer that…..I care most about capturing the ‘real-ness’ of a situation/person. Natural beauty, captivating colours and a thought out composition are all themes which you will find re-occurring in my work. NO-matter the job/project, I put my heart and soul into it, anything to take advantage of engaging and sharing with others that which I am most passionate about.

It’s been a long journey, filled with heartache, disappointment and tribulations. Despite all of that, i’m most grateful for having returned to that which i love to do. I am now more than ever a firm believer in following your passion and I advise quite often that no matter what people tell you, sometimes listening and following your heart will be more valuable than any university degree you will never use. I am living proof.

I thrive on creativity and inspiration, good karma and amazing energies. This is all representative of my work. perspective is Crucial. be Inspired”! I’m always looking for creative people to work with, please feel free to contact me for collaboration possibilities. Please note that I only do TF* work based on whether or not you have a skill I’d like to use/ which can benefit me. Do feel free to contact me and let me know what you think of my work. I appreciate all sorts of criticism. There is no better way to develop oneself than by looking at oneself through the eyes of others.

Photographic Images are timeless and they last forever – do not be cheap about paying for this service. If you ARE cheap and would like to get your picture taken please look up your local little passport photo studio and have them do it for you – i am sure they can do a GREAT job, provide you with GREAT service and most importantly make you feel like a model with their superb QUALITY. Contact ME if you’d actually like to have photos which are worth it and DO make you feel like a million bucks. It is my job to make you look and feel great about being photographed. Call me rude, call me interesting…..I’m honest, I LOVE what i do and I’m very good at it.

Thank you again for having a look at my work and reading all of this.

Again, my name is Sarina Anuska Watkins-Gitoroemakso aka Sarina Gito.

Woman. Wife. Mother. Survivor. Photographer.

Nice to Meet You! Blessed Be!