What’s your creative profession, and what led you to pursue it?
I am a deeply passionate photographer, specializing in both film and digital mediums. My ultimate goal is to capture life’s authentic moments through a documentary approach. I was especially inspired by my father’s love for film photography and vintage cameras since he immigrated to the U.S. over 30 years ago. My parents instilled the value of appreciating every moment that we’re given in life. My upbringing fostered and ignited my creative passions. I was immediately drawn to photography, especially film – there’s an undeniable magic in the way film captures life, preserving it with a touch of nostalgia and allowing you to relive life’s most beautiful moments in frames. As a visual storyteller, it’s a feeling I strive to recreate with every click of the shutter!
How has your creative journey been so far?
My creative journey has been both incredibly fulfilling and challenging! Starting a business from my passion was a scary feeling —the uncertainty of how it would be perceived, its success, and the end-to-end management. However, launching The Kodak Collective has been such a big source of joy. I’m fortunate to do what I love. During every event, I find myself smiling without trying, watching families and couples live these incredible moments in front of me for the first time and capturing them for a lifetime.
Tell us more about your portfolio and the story behind your work.
I love to capture moments while traveling, during events and photoshoots, and anything I find cinematic in my head (so basically everything)!
My portfolio reflects a blend of film and digital photography, as well as a blend of video editing. Showcasing my love for capturing genuine moments. The story behind my work is rooted in the joy of documenting life in its most authentic form. I believe unscripted moments have a unique beauty that can only be captured through a documentary approach.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m busy with a couple of creative photoshoots featuring couples, and I’m also putting together my website! My goal is for my portfolio to evoke feelings of nostalgia, romance, vintage charm, and authenticity all at once. I’ve got a ton of ideas for shoots, and I’m itching to bring them to life!
What unique challenges or frustrations have you faced as a Muslim creative?
As a Muslim creative, I’ve faced unique challenges, such as breaking stereotypes and navigating misconceptions about Muslim women in creative professions. It was especially difficult to start The Kodak Collective as a hijabi woman who started hijab recently – navigating my journey with hijab alongside my business has been challenging at times. However, these challenges have also fueled my determination to showcase the diversity and talent within the Muslim creative community. I hope to continue to break stereotypes while pursuing my creative passion.
Which individuals within the Muslim creative community do you admire?
Before The Kodak Collective, I worked with my sister and my mom to create The Decor Directory, a decor and rental company in the Chicagoland area. Decor and creative styling have always been my mom and sister’s forte – they were the first two influences in my life who showed me that starting a business as a Muslim woman is empowering, and if you base your business off your passion, the love for what you do shows through your work. I owe a lot to them for what they’ve taught me, not just about business but about life in general. Without their guidance, I couldn’t picture myself in this position—running my photography business and collaborating with them on aspects of the decor business.
What kinds of opportunities are you actively seeking or hoping to explore within your creative journey?
Alongside photography, I have a background in UX Design and Media and am always looking for opportunities to be creative whether it be through photography, or designing websites and apps! I am actively seeking opportunities to collaborate on projects that align with my documentary-style approach. I hope to explore diverse themes and contribute to the positive representation of Muslim creatives in the industry.
How does your cultural background influence your creative process?
My creative process is deeply influenced by my cultural background. The love I have for vintage and classic projects is rooted in cultural movies and locations, like the nostalgic sense of home I feel in Pakistan. This connection shapes my perspective, allowing me to capture moments that reflect the richness of my heritage. I strive to bring a unique blend of cultural insight and creativity to my work in the near future and make sure I never forget myself along the way.
What are your long-term goals as a Muslim creative?
My long-term goals as a Muslim creative include continuing to grow my photography business all over the world, advocating for diversity and inclusion within the creative industry, and eventually mentoring aspiring Muslim photographers.
How can anyone get in touch to collaborate with you?
I’m always open to collaboration! Anyone interested in collaborating with me can reach out through [email protected] or my Instagram page – Let’s get creative!