Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Irfan Shaukat. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Irfan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Keeping your creativity alive as a professional photographer and your day job is challenging. One of the things I always do is to set aside a dedicated time for photography in which I learn, experiment, and explore new photography techniques. It’s important to take breaks from photography, even if it’s just for a few days or weeks. This will help you come back to your photography with fresh eyes and new ideas. Photography should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, you’re less likely to be creative. So make sure you’re taking the time to enjoy your photography.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I started photography as a hobby in 2011, capturing cars, nature, and animals. After a few years, I realized that I could take my passion to the next level by taking on professional photography assignments. In 2015, I landed my first paid assignment as a product photographer. The results surprised me, revealing a hidden talent that I didn’t know I had. Soon after, I upgraded my photography gear and began working as a professional photographer. I registered my photography company as Eyerfan LLC and now offer a variety of photography services.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am passionate about photography and love capturing the beauty of the world around me. This passion has driven me to keep learning and improving my skills and has also helped me connect with other photographers and clients. I am a creative person and love to experiment with different techniques and styles. This creativity has helped me to develop my unique style of photography, and it has also allowed me to capture images that are both visually appealing and emotionally resonant. One of the essential things is to have a good understanding of the technical aspects of photography, such as lighting, composition, and post-production. This knowledge has helped me to take better photos and to create the images that I envision. I believe that these three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge have been essential to my success as a photographer. They have helped me to develop my unique style, to take better photos, and to connect with other photographers and clients.
My advice to photographers who are new to this journey is to be creative, the best way to develop your creativity is to be open to new ideas and to try new things. Don’t be afraid to break the rules and experiment with different techniques. Gain technical knowledge, the best way to develop your technical knowledge is to read books and articles about photography, take classes and workshops, and watch tutorials online. The more you learn about the technical aspects of photography, the better you will be able to take control of your images and create the desired results. And lastly, patience, photography is a challenging art form, and it takes time and patience to learn the skills necessary to take great photos. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep shooting and keep learning, and eventually, you will see improvement.
How would you describe your ideal client?
An ideal client for me as a photographer is one who understands that photography is a business and they are willing to pay for the photographer’s services. They know what they want their photos to look like and they’re able to communicate that vision to the photographer. Most importantly, they are open to the photographer’s ideas and they are willing to work together to create the best possible photos.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eliteplusphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyerfanphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyerfan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirfanshaukat/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eyerfanphotography
Image Credits
Models: Alyssa JaeCee Ameerah Attar Givan May Immaculate Mehwish Omer Makeup Artistes: Arunita Ghosh Beautee Squad Janets Glam Mehwish Omar
