Murrindie Frew studied BA (Hons) Visual Communication 2000 – 2003. She now works in Dubai as a freelance photographer specialising in editorial work with a particular interest in food.
She has shot for a range of high profile editorials including Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Mens Fitness and FOOD magazine, working on shoots all over the world. Alongside her work for food magazines, restaurants, hotels and even packaging for supermarkets, she has also recently shot a cook book called The Iraqi Table, working with Iraqi author Raghad Al Safi.
We caught up with Murrindie to find out more about her time at University in Leeds, and her new life and work in the UAE.
How did the course at Leeds Arts University help you in starting out professionally?
The course taught me to push myself, not to give up and to ask questions.
How did you end up living and working in Dubai? How does it compare to the UK as a place to work?
I always had a passion for travel and sunshine! I saw a portrait job advertised online so I went for it. I didn’t know anyone and had never been before but I packed up my things and off I went. I like a challenge! I’m still here over 8 years later; it’s a great place to live and work. Lots of opportunities that I may not have been able to get working in London. It’s an exciting city, forever changing and evolving. It’s great for a food photographer as there are hundreds of restaurants and more opening every day.
Can you give us an insight in a typical working week?
I shoot on average about three times a week. For example, last week I photographed food and drink for a new karaoke bar called Lucky Voice, then following day I was shooting for a food magazine. Later in the week I had a shoot for a hotel group called Jumeira; this was to provide content for their social media so I had to go around two hotels and snap anything that looked interesting.
In between shoots I am organising future jobs, sending out estimates and invoices, chasing payments and researching other photographers work. I also dedicate time every day to promoting myself through Instagram (@murrindie) as I find this a great platform to connect and advertise my work, alongside my website.
Finally, any future ambitions or projects in the pipeline?
I'd like to do more travel features and would definitely like to shoot another cook book.
Header image: Copyright Murrindie Frew, 2016