Meet Yasma Ali Alkoraishi of YAA Photography in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasma Ali Alkoraishi.

Yasma, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I realize I’m very fortunate to have found my passion for photography at fifteen years old. As a kid, I was always a goody two-shoes, got straight A’s and perfect attendance, but only my art classes interested me. My first photography class at Leigh High School with Mr. Cohen who was a huge influence on my life. He wasn’t strict with grading, but very encouraging to always create and be artistic. After school, I got involved in the Photo Club merely for extra time in the campus darkroom. Remember when Polaroids were a dollar per pic?

At first, I photographed portraits of my teenage friends and their rock bands. Photography quickly became my love and a way to connect with people. My mom encouraged me to apply to Brooks Institute of Photography, but I had to fight with my dad – he kept trying to bribe me with a new car to pursue mathematics! I’m glad I followed my heart and pursued photography.

Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not. Everyone has days when they don’t want to get out of bed. There have been plenty of times I’ve questioned what I am doing with my life and the meaning of everything.

Sometimes it is difficult to continue onward when I don’t feel like I am being supported through rough times – or even acknowledged for my successes. Recently, my life has gone through tremendous changes as I moved back across the country to Cali after living in NYC for three years, while also dealing with some family issues. It’s been challenging, but I look back at the art I have created over these last few years and I know my fifteen-year-old self would be proud. Often, I feel like the underdog, but when I see how so many great artists have triumphed over rejection and adversity, I can’t help but be inspired.

As you get older, you discover more about yourself, your industry, and the world in general. I’m very grateful my passion for photography as a teenager has only intensified as the years pass by. The “high” I receive from creating and shooting my art can’t be beat and can’t be replaced.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the YAA Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Nowadays, I make a living by retouching, assisting, and working as a digital tech. And I moonlight as a freelance photographer, meeting new fashion, beauty, event, and portrait clients all the time. My love for film and polaroids has never waned and will always be the backbone of a few of my projects. In the last two years, I’ve had my first printed publication with Féroce magazine, and online publications with Cake, Nylon, Papertrail, Frontrunner, and Volant. I’ve also started testing with modeling agencies and shooting motion, like the “Sunday Smoke” music video. Later this year or early 2020, I will be holding a solo exhibition for my #SKINSandTATS series, which are animal print polaroids of tattooed people. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for my career after seeing how dramatically things have changed in the past few years!

I believe an artist should have a signature style. Something distinguishable when you look at their work. My photography screams my style: raw, over the top, and always colorful. I rarely shoot black and white (unless somehow shape and design play a part). And I’ll keep things light while shooting so my subjects feel comfortable and open up to me. My connection to people and their stories turned my passion into my livelihood, and I hope the beautiful essence of every subject is able to show through my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.YAAphotography.com
• Phone: 408-768-5676
• Email: Yasma@YAAphotography.com

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