There was never a plan B for Ahmed Razeek (Instagram), who knew from a young age that he was destined to become a photographer. Now, he’s on a mission to showcase Arab and African talent to the world.
How did you make your way into the industry?
I started working in photography when I was 16 years old. It led me to pursue a degree in film from the University of Paris 8, and this was the foundation that took me into the fashion industry.
Did your upbringing influence your work?
I was born in Egypt and raised in France; this cultural mix definitely influenced my work. I have a huge vision: to show the world that the Middle East and Africa have exceptional talent and a tremendous impact on our industry. This is my ultimate goal right now, and I believe we are going to make it happen in the near future.
You live in Paris now, how does the Parisian environment inspire your work?
Paris is an artistic masterpiece – there is talent on every corner. People are so inspiring here, and I like to connect with them. Through them, my vision expands and evolves. Also, the mix of cultures in Paris is something I admire and use as inspiration.
How would you describe your style when it comes to your creative practice?
My style is timeless, psychedelic, and a mix of my personalities. I’m trying to take people on a journey and allow them to create their own ideas about my work. With every project or photoshoot I do, I envision how I would like to portray it. Then, once I have my vision and inspiration, I begin to build the idea behind it.
What has been your favourite project thus far?
My favourite project is my latest short movie, Miel. This project is my baby and we have made huge efforts to make this happen. People from 10 different nationalities have worked on it, including talents from France, Italy, Egypt, Turkey, Senegal, and more. For me, these people are the power of this project.
If you were to live in any era, which would you choose?
I would choose to live in the future, say 100 years from now. I think this would be very interesting and it matches well with my futuristic vision.
Apart from photography, do you dabble in any other creative practices?
Of course – I would say photography is a part of me, but I am also a creative director. Music also plays a huge role in my life; I’m currently trying to learn how to be a DJ – it’s something that inspires me, but I still have some way to go to master it.
Has there been a moment where you lost hope on your professional journey?
I’ve had this vision since I was a kid, and started to practise at the age of 16. Only a few years later it became my job. Honestly, I never lost hope, because I have trust in my talent and vision. It is only a matter of time to reach the top, and I am on my way there. People’s successes – especially those who started from the bottom – always inspire and fuel me to keep going and not give up.
Dead or alive, who do you dream of photographing?
I would like to shoot Ahmed Zaki, the Egyptian actor who passed away a few years ago. With strong art direction behind it, that would be an iconic shoot.
Which photographers do you admire, and why?
I really admire Sarah Moon, she had a forward-thinking vision. In my opinion, she changed the fashion photography industry, and we can now see a lot of people who are inspired by her style.
But it isn’t only photographers that I admire, I also admire Wes Anderson as an exceptional director. I’m a huge fan of his vision: he left nothing to luck – every detail from location, to colours, to people, are well thought through. It’s as if every scene of each one of his movies is a magazine cover.
This interview with Ahmed Razeek appeared in YUNG ISSUE 2 PRINT.
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