Meet Rania Anjum

We recently connected with Rania Anjum and have shared our conversation below.

Rania, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

As a brown immigrant, I have often found myself being the only one who looks like me in certain rooms. It has been intimidating but also very liberating. Often being labelled as the “diversity hire” or “token brown girl” in workplaces has felt very limiting. It is a label I am working to not feel stuck in. My cultural identity will always be a part of who I am but I also have much more to offer.

Choosing to work with people who respect my identity and genuinely believe in diversity has felt very gratifying. Staying true to my moral grounds and voicing what I have to say have been important factors as well. Sometimes, when it feels like there’s no space for you on any table, you have to create one on your own and over time people who feel just like you will join in and feel grateful that you did that.

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 am a fashion and beauty photographer born and raised in Hyderabad, India. Growing up around my grandmother who was a fashion designer, I quickly understood the power clothing holds and how it empowers one to express their identity. Fashion has always enabled me to express myself authentically.

As a woman of color, representation of different sizes, ethnicities and identities holds a lot of importance to me. I have always strived to work with identities I never really saw represented in the media growing up.

The themes of my work revolve around repurposing iconic visual tropes in fashion, films, music and putting my own fun twist on them. I enjoy indulging in the aesthetics of different time periods through creative direction and celebrating them. I also love experimenting with film and incorporate other alternative processes like cyanotypes in my images.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say the most important qualities that have helped me push forward are dedication, being authentic to myself and taking creative risks. Being dedicated to your art form and consistently putting in effort may sound pretty generic but it’s so essential. Just showing up for yourself and your art makes the biggest difference.

Being authentic to yourself is probably the most important one that I’ve learned yet. Despite it feeling scary sometimes, you need to recognize that there are certain things and perspectives that only you can bring to the table. Your voice and the way you express is unique to you and it is essential to honor that in your work.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My mom and my brother are my biggest support systems. Despite growing up in communities that favored toxic gender norms, my mother has always pushed me to break free from any limitations which do not serve a creative. I get my creative streak from her.

They constantly remind me to believe in myself and of my purpose. I have learned patience, determination and being grateful for everything from them.

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