Get To Know Your Favorite Black Dallas Photographer

The Moment It All Began

I still remember the first time my step-dad took me to see Brother Bear. I was only three years old, but I was completely captivated by the magical feeling the film gave my little heart. That film ignited a passion for movies and storytelling that would shape the rest of my life.

Four years later, my family and I moved to Lagos, Nigeria, and my love for movies followed me there. I spent my time in Nigeria watching as many movies and TV shows as possible and reading as many books as I could get my hands on. I became obsessed with the idea of becoming a part of the film world. My dream was to make movies, and I wanted to be ready for when the opportunity came.

In 2016, my family and I moved back to Texas. Within a few weeks, I had left everything and everyone I knew behind, and I was enrolled into a high school. I immediately joined a video production class in high school to learn more about video. On top of my video production class, I dived into YouTube videos to learn more about video production and video editing. While I enjoyed my class, high school was incredibly tough for me.

Everything felt insurmountable. I struggled to make new friends and assimilate into my new environment. I was also battling with my experiences with trauma and sexual abuse. During this difficult time, my uncle gave me one of his old cameras (it’s the camera above this paragraph).

That camera became my best friend. I took photos of everything—animals, flowers, family. Photography became my escape and, in many ways, it saved me.

The College Years

When I started college, it was a surprise to no one that I decided to pursue a degree in Film and English with a concentration in Creative Writing.

Like any other 17-year-old, I was terrified to start college, but I was also excited because I knew it could be a fresh start. I had been in the US again for over a year, and I felt like I was finally settling down in this new environment. I hoped I could finally make some friends and build a community for myself. Instead, I ended up feeling even more isolated. I found it hard to start conversations with new people and to connect with others. Around this time, my dad bought me my first "professional" camera, a Canon Rebel T6i. This camera gave me the courage I needed.

I began asking any poor soul around me if I could take their photos. I asked classmates, teacher assistants, club members, and even random strangers. For some reason, when you ask people if you can take a photo of them, the answer is almost always yes.

I made some wonderful friends doing this, and I also discovered my love for people, their faces, and their stories.

Healing Through Photography

Photography also became a powerful tool for healing for me. After a painful breakup (we’ve all been there), I found myself plunged into sadness once again. I allowed myself to feel the pain, and once I had processed those emotions, I decided to channel them into my photography.

I created a concept around my experience of isolation during the breakup and asked one of my classmates to model for me. This project resulted in my first photo to be exhibited in a gallery. I realized that photography could be a form of healing, not just for me but for others who connected with my work.

Throughout college, I continued to create photo projects centered around my pains and traumas. The work not only helped me heal but also gained recognition and was featured in galleries.

Even after I started my first full-time job as a video producer for a local city in Dallas, I didn't stop pursuing photography. Working for the city was a wonderful experience. I met many amazing people and deepened my love for stories. However, I knew it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I dreamed of starting and running my own commercial and editorial photography business.

Where Am I Today?

After a year and a half of working for the city, I took the leap and started my business. Now, two years into running my photography business in Dallas, I’ve met so many wonderful people and learned so much. Every experience, both good and bad, has shaped me into the photographer I am today. I strive to make everyone I work with—from clients to crews to models—feel comfortable.

I am a photographer whose is in touch with her emotions and I bring this humanity to my work.

I am a photographer who loves people and their stories.

I am a photographer who has overcome challenges, so even when I feel scared, I know I can handle anything.

PS. Check out my current work here.

If you're looking for a Black photographer in Dallas who values making connections and telling stories using a camera, or if you just want to make a new friend, send me an email at amani@amanisodiq.com