To celebrate the upcoming World Photography Day, You! is featuring a few flourishing female photographers...
world photography day
Photography - the art of capturing moments and scenes with a camera. It’s a way to freeze time, express creativity, and communicate emotions through visual images. From family gatherings to breath-taking landscapes, photography allows us to tell stories and share experiences in a universal language that transcends words. Every year, photography lovers come together to participate in a global celebration of all things photography, from the science behind the art to the history of early photography. World Photography Day is a fantastic opportunity for photographers all around the world to share their ideas, innovations, and art. It promotes communication between people from different cultures and countries, helping to foster a sense of global community. It’s also used to encourage and inspire the next generation of photographers.
World Photography Day marks the creation of the daguerreotype process in 1837 by Louis Daguerre and Joseph Nicephore Niepce. The process allowed highly detailed photographs to be created on a sheet of copper paper coated with silver. The process revolutionised the photography industry as the first practical photographic process.
On 19th of August 1893, the French government acknowledged this invention and purchased the patent for the daguerreotype process. This date marked the beginning of what is now celebrated as World Photography Day. Each year, World Photography Day has a theme and this year’s theme is ‘Understanding Clouds’.
From the iconic shots that capture the beauty of nature to the candid moments that tell the stories of everyday life, photography has the power to move us and inspire us to take action. This week You! has rounded a few flourishing female photographers who share their passion of photography…
The visual storytellers
Rammal & Nabia M’s Photography, two sisters who decided to turn their passion for photography into a business. After graduating with a MBA in marketing from Fast University, the sisters decided to turn their passion for photography, and the knowledge they gained over the course of their MBA into a business, and co-founded Rammal & Nabia Photography. “Photography with female aesthetics is what attracts clients to our portfolio.
There’s always an added element of being more comfortable with a girl photographer. We can talk about anything. The wedding industry has readily accepted the role of a female photographer, as brides and their families feel more comfortable hiring female photographers. It does make us happy knowing that we may have some small contribution in this acceptance,” shared the duo. Both Rammal and Nabia envision women photographers taking it to the next level, making it international and being recognised and acclaimed for their talent, not just their gender.
What distinguishes Maryam Baloch from others is the fact that she is the first Baloch girl who has taken up photography as a profession. “As a young girl, I was always attracted by the camera but I actually picked it up when I was doing diploma in photography in 2016. It has been 7 years since I have been taking pictures professionally,” said Maryam. Most females in this field choose to become a wedding photographer as it is the safest option for them but Maryam decided to take a different route. “I have ventured into almost all kind of photography - be it street photography or experimental photography or fashion or commercial photography. However, dark photography is something which is close to my heart,” elucidated Maryam, who has a huge clientele including celebrities and influencers like Aiman Khan, Sidra Batool, Nimra Khan and others. “I have a very close bonding with camera that I cannot describe in words. Through my pictures, I talk to people. I love exploring different human emotions through photography,” expressed Maryam.
A pro photographer
Another household name, Umbreen Ibrahim of Umbreen Ibrahim Photography, started her career way back in 2012, when you could count the number of female photographers on your fingers. “Photography for me is definitely passion driven. Ever since I was in Kindergarten, I was drawn to visuals.
Also, my family has always been keen on taking photographs which instilled the passion and drive in me,” she enthused. Highlighting how there are now many more female faces behind the camera but still not enough she says, “At the moment, I see a lot of potential and I wish it stays that way.”
Breaking the shackles of “Log kya kahaingay?” (What will people say?) Hira Iqbal, of Hira Iqbal Photography emerged to be the successful businesswoman she is today and has been in the photography business for seven long years now. She is very fond of her camera and the moments she captures through it. “We can only relive our memories through these photographs,” she remarked.
“Photography has always been like therapy to me, like a language that conveys and connects. I enjoy what I do and it is the only reason that allows me to pour my heart in every single shot I take. What could be more beautiful than locking memories inside the camera that may have otherwise been forgotten.”
A photographic story
Up and coming young photographer, Rabiya Mughal of Rabiya Mughal Photography, who at a young age has managed to create a full-time career out of her passion. “I started taking paid shoots when I was very young. Being an introvert, my parents were the ones who always told me to never give up before trying and that’s how I started.” It was all passion driven for her. “I learned everything from experience, YouTube videos and lots and lots of articles. The best way to learn for me was to see how my camera worked, what the settings were for and how to get the best result from what equipment I had,” she explained.
Rabiya believes that photography played a big role in helping her form connections as well. “I believe it’s a lot easier to adjust in this industry because of how supportive your fellow photographers are. When I first started as a 19-year-old clueless kid with a camera in my hand, I was overwhelmed and afraid of getting something wrong.
A huge supporter I’ve had since the very beginning of my career was Iqraa Khan of ‘Chamak & More’, as well as Palwasha Minhas. These two women that were already established and had a huge following went out of their way to help me out whenever I was stuck somewhere or needed guidance,” she reminisced.
