Today we’d like to introduce you to Areej Bashir.
Hi Areej, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As I’ve sat to answer the questions for this interview I came to realize that taking photos was a pretty big deal in our family. We always had some kind of camera lying around, an endless amount of albums, and hundreds of photos and negatives in bags. I bought my first camera at around 8 or 9 years old from this little stationery shop in Tripoli, Libya. It was one of those slide the cover, so the camera switches on kind of cameras. It took the worst dull photos haha, but it was something for a kid, not to mention it was pink with a Barbie on it. Double win there! And I was forever ‘’wasting’ film on our family camera on random things, luckily papa (my dad) didn’t mind, just was told not to take 2 shots of everything. My grandpa was always buying us disposable cameras too which were great! But didn’t produce the best quality of photos, which is a bit ironic cause now they’re a trend, but back then I didn’t care, just too busy finishing up the film!
Jumping forward to 2011, when papa bought my first Sony DSLR, it was the ”family’s” camera, but we all knew it was for me. And to my better luck, I wasn’t restricted on the amount of photos I could take. I must say I’ve been very lucky to have such a supportive and what I believe is an artistic family behind me growing up and now the constant support from my sweet husband, as I pursue this passion of mine, I just want to say thank you!. Going back to that same year, I took an elective class at school, Basic Photography which kind of ignited the passion I always had. I thrived in that class.
Then in 2014, just shy of a year from graduating from Architecture and Urban Design, I picked up my camera to photograph my very first paid wedding, which was arranged just a week before this wedding because the photographer didn’t follow through, lucky me! It was terrifying but my God, I loved it. Capturing those special moments and emotions, the gowns, wedding dress and all their details was so satisfying. After that immediately I was booking 2-3 weddings a month (you should know weddings in Libya are a massive deal) so all it takes is one wedding. Spring 2015 I got married and moved to the US. Here I tried all sorts of photography, starting off with newborns in Chicago for a month with Bella Photography. We were there for three months, so I was very committed and excited. I would leave the apartment at 6:30am at times to make a 2-hour bus and train ride to reach the hospitals I was assigned to. And got home at 11pm. It was fantastic!
After getting back to Dallas, I photographed families, a couple of newborns, portraits, engagements, and a few weddings. Competition was fierce, nothing like back at home. By the end of 2016, I started to work for a women’s clothing boutique called Bittano, that’s where I fell in love once again. I was to manage their social media accounts and website along with being a sales assistant. So I offered to take photographs of the clothes on models. Even though we only used the front of the shop or the back alley, I was just thrilled by this opportunity and realized fashion and branding photography is where I thrive. The combination of fashion and photography hit the spot. There’s no limit on how creativity you can get, either with the way the model poses, lighting, or even the angle of your camera.
In July 2018, I reached out to a few local fashion influencers. Met up with Style By Duha and we just clicked, partnered up and just had fun. From then and after moving to The Bay Area almost two years ago I’ve had the privilege to work with so many passionate, creative and hard-working women-owned businesses and models nationally and internationally. From small local modest boutiques, homeware, skin and nail care, and hijab and clothing brands. I’ve been fortunate to be part or handle the whole process of the photoshoot, working on every detail that best represents the brands and their vision.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been all over the place. Coming from a small populated country where it’s easy to stand out and word of mouth is probably your best chance of success. Then moving to the US and seeing the creative and workspace was very intimidating, it still is. But it definitely took a while to manage. Even after finally finding where my passion lies and being fortunate to pursue it, there have been so many bumps in the road. Covid being a major one, I was pregnant at the beginning of the pandemic, and it was terrifying as we all remember so I took a step back from fashion photography for a good year and a half just to keep my family safe.
Though it gave me a great chance to enhance what I was lacking or wasn’t so good at like Retouching and product photography. Coming back wasn’t easy, for one being absent and 2nd cause businesses I had worked with were struggling too. Eventually, things picked up again. But then moving to the south Bay Area, where to my surprise it’s a bit more slower pace when it comes to the fashion industry than Dallas. I’m a mum to two beautiful darling girls now, that are with me 24/7 (my brooches as a friend calls them) so dedicating 9-5 working hours to just photography has been a bit of another challenge, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. And I’m just looking forward to all the possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So fashion and branding photography is what I do. I’m always up for a little editorial photography to keep the creativeness growing. When I first started I felt there was a huge gap between modest fashion and presenting or expressing the creativeness and elegance of such garments. Especially when it came to Islamic/modest wear or brands in the US. Being a Muslim myself and having the ability to showcase fashion and artwork through photography, my main focus was this niche but prosperous side. It’s enlightening to now see such brands and creatives emerging and how they’ve taken their place in such a competitive world, and I hope I can continue to be a part of this impressive community.
Working with women-owned businesses has been an inspiration, and I’m very chuffed that they chose me to trust in presenting and highlighting their brand. We go over every little detail for the photoshoots, making sure everything is cohesive and well thought out before the shoot, such as scouting and deciding on the best location for each look, or during, by directing the models and making them feel comfortable and after the shoot by making sure the retouching process is up to standard for the best results.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Honestly it’s never too late to start again. As I mentioned before how covid set me back, and sometimes it’s okay to let go and move on but persevere in what you really have a passion for and believe in and hopefully your time will come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://areejbashir.mypixieset.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/areej.b.photography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/areej-bashir-47a39312a/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/photosbyareej?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Image Credits
Image 232: Layan for The Hijab Vault Areejbashirphotography (2): Reagan Areejbashirphotography (3): Deepika Ramachandran for Ladytin Studio Areejbashirphotography (4): Asmaa Altamo Areejbashirphotography (6): Duha, Tesniem and Shahana for Joillea’ Areejbashirphotography : Shahana for Miami Care Areejbashirphotography 3-(2): Deepika Ramachandran and Vikas Annadata for Ladytin Studio Areejbashirphotography -4 : Nadia for Curle’
