Q&A with Anna Pihan

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Pihan, an Australian photographer whose work evokes stillness, softness, and a deep sense of place. Known for her transportive imagery spanning travel, interiors, fashion, and lifestyle, Anna’s photographs capture the quiet beauty found in natural light, colour, and everyday detail.

In this Q&A, Anna shares her approach to conveying leisure through film, the influence of living between Europe and Australia, and how intuition, curiosity, and creative community continue to shape her practice, both behind the camera and through her platform The Pleasure of Leisure.

Your work often captures the subtleties of land, ocean, and leisure. How do you approach conveying the essence of leisure in your photographs?

AP It’s the way I see the world– I’m naturally drawn to a leisurely scene, whether it’s an empty inviting chair, the subtleties of a place, or observations. It's my way of finding a sense of calm within the chaos wherever I am. It’s also a big part of my practice, shooting film, slowing down, waiting, and being intentional.

Pictured (left to right): 'Il Delfino, Yamba' - Vogue Living, 'Still life' for Faithfull The Brand, Patmos, Greece.

Your photography has been featured in renowned publications like The New York Times and Vogue Living. How do you maintain your artistic voice while catering to diverse editorial demands?

AP I like to treat every project like an extension of my personal work. I genuinely love the challenge to see how I can translate the story or the brief through my eyes – I come back to my intuition, to how I see and experience the world, to share my unique perspective.

Splitting your time between Europe and Australia, how do these distinct environments influence your visual storytelling?

AP Wherever I am, I’m looking for moments that feel transportive and tell a story - an aesthetic that sparks a sense of escape. In Australia, I’m drawn to the endless coastlines and relaxed way of living. Its wide open spaces and nature are a place for rest and recalibration for me. When I’m in Europe and beyond, I’m inspired by the chaos, busyness, and atmosphere, and I’m drawn into that energy.

Pictured (left to right): 'Tennis Des Fleurs', Morocco, 'Chateau' - Los Angeles.

You talk about your work highlighting unexpected beauty in nature’s colour palette. Can you share your process for discovering and capturing these moments?

AP It’s very spontaneous and in the moment. I walk a lot - my eyes always looking at the light, the colours, the details – I'm seeing frames as I move through a place.

Your lifestyle brand, 'The Pleasure of Leisure' with Hôtel Magique, encompasses books, travel guides, and leisurewear. What brought you to this collaboration and how different is running a business compared to your artistry?

AP It all started with the making of our book ‘The Pleasure of Leisure’ in 2020 which we self-published, and it evolved from there. We’ve expanded to a second edition after the first sold out fast. Milou (of Hôtel Magique) and I have such complementary visions that we naturally continued to create a space where our shared love for art, travel and community could live. It’s inspiring to work together, I love her eye for detail and seeing what else we can dream up.

We’re both fascinated by how leisure time helps us creatively and started discovering others also felt the same. We’ve since invited ‘Lovers of Leisure’ to join the conversation around the world including fashion icon Jenny Kee, artist Nicole Nelius, lingerie designer Marloes Hoedemann and more.

The Pleasure of Leisure adds another layer to my creative universe. I feel inspired when I’m doing a variety of different things, from prints, travel editorials, campaign shoots, helping other photographers through mentorships and the community, and working on The Pleasure of Leisure.

Pictured (left to right): Anna Pihan, The Pleasure of Leisure Book'

You offer insights into your practice. How has sharing your process publicly affected your work and connection with your audience?

AP It’s something that I wish I had access to when I was dreaming about becoming a photographer, I didn’t know where or how to start, and even put it off for 10 more years before really allowing myself to try.

I love being able to help someone on their path, it’s the greatest gift. I offer a few 1:1 Photography Mentorship Programs a year. We usually spend 4 weeks together, diving into key things they want to work on, and it’s so wonderful to be by their side as they start shifting into a new world of possibilities. Photographers have done solo exhibitions, renegotiated higher rates, bought their first camera, launched their first print collection and landed editorial features during our mentorships.

I don’t always have the capacity for 1:1 Mentorships so I wanted to create a space that was accessible to everyone, whether they have had 1:1 Mentorships with me or not. The Collective - For Photographers is a space to inspire purpose, creativity, and endless possibilities. It’s shaping to be such a kind and inclusive community with members located all over the world. It’s a genuine place to connect – learn from real-world insights, dive into interviews, access opportunities including paid jobs, and a safe space to have open discussions about anything from pricing, pitching, film, travel, plus so much more.

With a portfolio spanning travel, interiors, fashion, still life and lifestyle photography, how do you navigate and integrate these genres to create a cohesive body of work?

AP I like variety – I’m curious about a lot of things. So why not explore other genres? No matter what I am shooting, I want to spark emotion and curiosity. Composition and light will always tie my work together, and all tie into my love for travel. There are so many aspects when capturing a place, from portraits, to still life, interiors, and incorporating a fashion or lifestyle shoot into a place offers another layer of storytelling.

Pictured: 'Cats', Stromboli, Italy.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are just starting out?

AP To start! Let your curiosity guide you… What stories do you want to tell? What excites you? Try new things, especially if they feel outside your comfort zone. Keep practicing. Make mistakes. Surround yourself with inspiring people - join a community or find a mentor who can offer support, knowledge, and remind you of what’s possible.

Discover more of Anna's work at ann apihan.co m or follow along on Instagram.
To learn from Anna, apply to her 1:1 Mentorship Programme or join The Collective - a space for photographers to connect, grow and stay inspired.
Explore The Pleasure of Leisure at thepleasureofleisure.com or on Instagram.