“My first memory of falling in love with photography was on a family holiday when my dad took a photo of a cup of hot chocolate. There was something about the angle he chose that made me realize there’s more to photography than just pressing a button. From that moment, I took his camera hostage, and with every shot I took, I considered every aspect of the outcome: the composition, the lighting, the rule of thirds. It all became second nature to me. I decided to take my passion further and chose photography as an A-Level subject. It was during this time that I learned photography could do more than just capture an image; it could create happiness, friendship, and adventure. Towards the end of sixth form, I begged my teacher to teach me about film photography, where I learned how to develop, process, and digitize film. The darkroom became my safe haven. I was that kid who would spend my lunchtimes there, lost in the process. Once I was old enough, I started attending parties and events with my friends, always with my camera in hand. During this time, I developed a love for fashion. At these parties, I found myself drawn to photographing people in their cool outfits. That’s when I decided to merge my two passions: fashion and photography. I began using the flash on my camera because these events were often in dark rooms with minimal lighting. I noticed that people were initially hesitant when they saw the flash, but once they got comfortable, their confidence grew. This is one of the main reasons why I love shooting fashion and portraiture: being able to bring out new sides of people and help them feel more confident reminds me of the true power of photography. I’ve had the honor of connecting with so many fascinating individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, all while telling my own story through my work.”

Danyal Maisuria