Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Hussain.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the middle of the desert—Apple Valley, California. For those who don’t know, it’s a small cowboy town with not much to do. To escape the heat, I spent most of my time indoors, usually online—alongside my three older siblings. We were all obsessed with pop culture, music, and film. On top of that, we were raised by a strict Pakistani dad who had a serious love for fashion and insisted we always look our best—especially when there was a photo op that he was leading. I have vivid memories of all of us crammed into the master bedroom, getting ready for some random family friend’s party, with the Music Choice channel playing in the background.
When my siblings eventually moved out, I was the last one left at home with my dad and grandmother. Being on my own pushed me even deeper into my interests—60s to 2000s music, fashion editorials, old films, and music videos. That’s when I started taking self-portraits. I’d come up with a concept, do my own hair and makeup, and take crappy iPhone photos by my bedroom window. Eventually, I joined the digital photography class at school and stuck with it for three years, learning how to use a real camera.
In college, I majored in Film and Digital Production—not necessarily because I had it all figured out, but because I saw it as a creative path that could also give me the independence I craved. Within the program, most people saw me as a cinematographer, though I always felt more like a director. I just happened to care a lot about how my work looked visually. And being as competitive as I am, I was determined to have the best film in any class I took. That mindset pushed me creatively and led to scholarships and awards for my work.
Now, a few years post-grad, I’ve returned to self-portraiture and have started collaborating with other creatives—both photographing and modeling. I’m also planning to direct more music videos in the near future.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone’s journey is without struggle. I grew up in a very strict household with limited freedom, and when I finally left for college, it wasn’t under the happiest circumstances. I was dealing with intense anxiety and depression—there was just so much change happening at once. Over time, most of my family ended up moving out of California, but I made the decision to stay and finish my undergrad, determined to carve out my own path.
That choice came with a lot of sacrifice. I had no family around me and no financial support—I was, and still am, fully supporting myself. It was an incredibly isolating period. But after a year of therapy and finding a few close friends who truly had my back, I managed to pull myself out of that dark place and reconnect with my creative side. That’s when things really started to shift for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer, director, and model, specializing in self-portraits, fashion and concept photography, and music video direction. As I mentioned earlier, most people from college knew me as a cinematographer—and trust, I can still draw up a shot list and direct a camera crew. But over time, my interests have shifted away from traditional film sets and more into personal projects and creative collaborations. I just love making visually striking work that feels fun, experimental, and something I can genuinely be proud of. That foundation in cinematography still heavily informs everything I create today.
Like a lot of creatives, I deal with self-doubt. There’s always that devil on my shoulder telling me an idea won’t look good or won’t come together. I’m definitely my own harshest critic. But what I’m most proud of is my ability to push through that doubt and still see my concepts through to completion. I’ve learned to trust myself and my vision—even if the process feels messy at times, it almost always works out in the end.
As for what sets me apart, it’s hard to say—because I’m always evolving. But I think it’s the way I actively chase creativity and originality while still being a bit of a perfectionist. I try to immerse the viewer in a different world with each project, even just for a moment. I’m not necessarily trying to tell a story every time—I’m more interested in building a mood, a vibe, a visual escape. Honestly, I just want to be a walking Pinterest board. I love mixing aesthetics, trying out different styles, and especially in my self-portraits, transforming into a totally different character every time. If I wasn’t doing this—and if I could act—I’d probably be trying to be the female Christian Bale: totally unrecognizable from project to project, but still hot as f***.
What are your plans for the future?
Oof, I was dreading this question—it honestly scares me a little. For the past 5–6 years, I’ve been letting life take me where it wants. I really believe in living in the moment and trust the idea that “if it’s meant to happen, it will.”
That’s not to say I’m without goals—I absolutely am. But more than anything, I’m determined to live a happy, fulfilling life. I’m still doing the work. I’m still creating. I’m still dreaming.
Looking ahead, I hope to gain more traction on social media and eventually sign with a modeling agency, all while continuing to do my own offbeat self-portrait work. I also want to collaborate with more musical artists and direct more music videos. I don’t have a rigid plan—but I know what lights me up creatively, and I plan to keep chasing that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://summerhussain.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bxngxn?igsh=N292YWZjZ283azhh&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@syedafilms?si=SC-t1QtXI-gxmjaA
Image Credits
Alfonso Martínez
