Autio grew up in a beachside suburb in Adelaide and studied visual arts at the University of South Australia. She worked for a number of years for newspapers in Adelaide, London and Sydney, including as principal photographer in News Limited's London office and staff photographer at the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 2002, Narelle Autio was chosen as the winner of the coveted international Leica Oskar Barnack Award for her colour series Coastal Dwellers, depicting Australians and their relationship with the beach environment. As part of the award, a larger selection of Autio's work was exhibited in Leica galleries worldwide. This win added to an already impressive list of achievements including World Press Awards, an American Picture of the Year Award and an Australian Walkley Award.

For more information, please visit Stills Gallery's website.