Today we’d like to introduce you to Walid Azami.
Walid, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started my career in madonnas office, and what I learned watching her was incredible. From there, I started my own photography career, and I am 100% self-taught. I have photographed Usher, Kanye West, Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, photograph some of the biggest brands in the world like the Volkswagen and Hewlett-Packard, and incredible authors and even international political figures. I am also a creative director for brands looking to grow and have a place in the changing market. I use my experience as someone who contributed to the visuals of legendary artists and now help companies realize the same success.
This business can be exhausting, and even, in the beginning, I promise myself that when I could, I would help others. I would help others start their careers and have a road smoother than mine. I started the “how to photograph” project because I was frustrated with the state of photography. I anonymously started an Instagram accounts where I decided to help whoever would listen.
People listened. People spread the word. People came back over and over, and now I have a youtube channel that goes with it. I have a podcast to help frustrated people sitting in traffic, wanting to start that photography business.
I became fascinated with helping others, and I am a firm believer that there’s enough room for everyone to win. But we all must work together in saving photography, growing the art, evolving it and we must all stop working for free. I don’t like to do free work, and neither does anyone else.
I now hire people from this beautiful network. I share my experiences of good, bad, and in-between. I would die if an established photographer shared so much with me. So guess what? I will be THAT photographer for others. I sometimes invite people to watch me on set.
I now have a photography online course that’s unlike anything else out there, and my students are already getting published, and bookings are way up (beta format at the moment) – I’ve become obsessed with creating beautiful images and helping others do the same.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m self-taught. Whatever I’m feeling is in my work. When I’m down, my work is down. When I’m happy, my work shows more color and boldness. I’ve been told that the majority of my work people always look like they’re longing for something more or greater.
I do much of my work on instincts, like more than anyone that I know. I say NO to jobs if my instincts say that I should avoid it. I say NO to stars that are big if it doesn’t feel right (did so Grammy weekend).
I take pictures, make videos, fashion films, creative direct, teach other photographers, and creative consult. I’m mostly music based in photography but of course, do commercial and work in personal art too.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
For real artists, life is harder in some ways. The competition is a lot, and people are more interested in becoming famous vs. becoming known for having something to say. For the Instagram photographers who rely on apps and all post process – life is extra hard because they are a dime a dozen. For real artists, life is a bit easier in other ways because we have the technology and now I can present my work to people around the world.
I wish that cities allowed artists to have safe spaces, like walls they can contribute work to. I wish photographers weren’t harassed. I also wish artists respected the property and anonymity of others. It goes both ways. I wish the public officials opened themselves up to more artists vs. just TV news.
I would love to photograph the Mayor of LA and photograph him in a way no one else had. Give me that access. Let me show you in a way that CNN never could. How amazing if big parks not so popular put up temporary walls and allowed local graffiti artists to show their work. Let’s use the space. Let’s use local talent. I wish people allowed musicians on the street more, tipped them, encouraged them, etc.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have my website http://www.WalidAzami.com.
I have my photography project https://www.HowtoPhotograph.net.
I have a youtube channel that teaches Youtube.com/WalidAzamiTV.
I have a podcast on all major platforms that teaches also HowtoPhotograph.net/Podcast.
I have an Instagram that gives photo tips/advice/inspiration every day, and I have a very personal relationship with all of my followers. That’s @HowtoPhotograph
My personal Instagram is @Walid.Azami
Contact Info:
- Website: WalidAzami.com and HowtoPhotograph.net
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Walid.Azami and @HowtoPhotograph
- Other: Youtube.com/WalidAzamiTV
Image Credit:
Photography: Walid Azami
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