Tell us about your journey since graduating from Woodward.

After completing high school, I enrolled in the Carnegie Mellon School of Fine Art to pursue my photography education. Building on my prior knowledge from high school, the curriculum at Carnegie Mellon emphasized the theory of photography while giving me experiences with photographers who challenged me to alter my perspective on framing the world. Since college, I’ve forged a career as a freelance photographer, traveling extensively to capture compelling narratives worldwide. One recent project took me back to Pakistan in search of my roots; this work has garnered international recognition and will soon be represented by a gallery. Commercially, my focus is on photographing people, ranging from picturesque weddings in Tuscany’s Villa Cetinale to corporate branding shoots for consulting firms nestled near the Alps in Sonthofen, Germany. Through my lens, I’ve gained access to diverse cultures and narratives, and I cherish the opportunities my work affords me to listen to and document these stories.

How did your time at Woodward prepare you for your work?

I had the good fortune to learn photography under Chris Greenway at Woodward. He put a camera in my hand and taught me how to view the world through a lens. I credit him with molding me into the photographer I am today. Many photographers I encounter express surprise at my educational journey, and they marvel at my unwavering love for photography. Recognizing and fostering passion and talent in someone so young, as Mr. Greenway did, requires a truly exceptional individual.

What skills did you learn at Woodward that prepared you to be an illuminator?

Woodward Academy was not only the place where I fell in love with photography, but also where I learned to understand the importance of hard work and the people you surround yourself with. Woodward also instilled in me the idea of pursuing your craft as a career, placing emphasis on the long-term commitment required for success.

Why do you love your work?

Photography is how I comprehend the world around me. It requires me to constantly be engaged, focused, attentive, and empathetic to the people and the stories surrounding me. This craft allows me to learn about others and to understand myself. I find that my camera lets me into rooms that I wouldn’t have been able to enter. It allows me to have conversations that I never could have imagined having. Most importantly, it allows me to experience the world by being an insider and outsider simultaneously and constantly.

Why does our world need illuminators?

In a world where discovering one’s path can often be a journey, illuminators play a vital role, offering guidance and empowering others to recognize their innate light and potential. By unlocking what already resides within, illuminators help others find their own light, sparking a ripple effect that continues to multiply and positively impact many lives.