M/T

Amira self taught herself to produce, engineer, and create, and quickly made her mark in the Chicago music scene. She values uplifting others in the community and collaborating with local artists.

Amira’s mother was born and raised in Chicago, her father born in Palestine, but forced to flee with his family to Kuwait at the young age of two due to the 1967 war, displacement, and aggression. “For me, being Palestinian in the USA right now means something far greater than myself. I think about the younger version of me who wanted to see someone like me represented authentically…I know that others will see themselves in me - I want to radiate that anything is possible, and that no matter where you are from or what happens, you can persevere. All of our obstacles are in our head…and there are also obstacles like genocide and depression. I wont lie, I almost gave up when this all started in October, I felt defeated and wondered ‘what is the point?’. I got into tattooing some friends for fun and as a form of art escapism. I was tired of music for that short while but got straight back into it and remembered that our oppressors have always wanted to silence us and give up on our dreams and joys. I will never do that because our music, song, and laughter are a form of our resistance.” 

Her most recent works include a piece titled “Rhythms of Resistance” featured as part of Amal Music Group’s ‘The Art of War’ album - an uplifting liberation track to let people know not to hide away. Her single “Hypnotizing” was released on February 29th. Available to stream on all platforms.

Amira, with her eclectic, energizing pop and (ultra super dope) unique style says that she wants to influence others, especially young women and girls, to be unapologetically themselves. To be free, liberated, and powerful in their own right. During our chat together, Amira also told me that her biggest motivation and inspiration is derived from her peers and community. She is grateful to be around such talented artists and loves to see women doing their best.

May 2024 | Photo Vogue

Tali is photographed with their jewels and textiles on 35mm + 120mm Kodak Portra film at their downtown studio in Chicago, IL.

July, 2024 | PhotoVogue

Since the young age of 2, Master Steve has been entrenched in the arts. Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Stevie grew up around a family of musicians. He began by playing the drums at the age of three, after his father bought him a first drum set (mostly so that Stevie would stop banging on the family’s pots and pans. Something he had been constantly doing since the age of 2).

In his own words; “My father was minister of music at our church. Him and his six brothers had a group called Thompson Brothers. They would sing gospel music across the East Coast of America. When the group broke up, my immediate family and I would sing gospel music as a quartet - that’s how I first learned to sing and find harmonies, play drums, and really entrench myself in music. I was my dad’s drummer and played Saxophone in our church. Contributing as a tenor in our choir was my start and initial entry into singing. I gained confidence over time and began to produce and create music in my senior year of high school. I started to produce things at my dad’s but I did not take it too seriously at the time. In college, I would make videos and art for fun and self taught myself to play the bass and piano. One day, I met an artist who asked me to sing and contribute to their project, so I said to myself ‘let me become an artist’. For the past two years, I have been taking it seriously and there have been so many opportunities and expansion in this industry and city.”

During our time together, she shared with great detail the memories of her many trips to Palestine and Jordan, where her and her family would spend months on end reconnecting with their homeland. We reminisced about the beautiful landscape, the taste of fresh fruit, and the joy of being around family as part of the diaspora. During the end of our conversation, Amara told me that the last time she had the chance to visit Palestine was in 2019. “We used to go every year for months with my تاتا (teta / grandmother), but I knew that after graduating university and having a full-time job, it would be the last time I could go for a while. We went for a good three months that last summer. I haven’t been able to visit since.”

Amara, like millions of others, do not know when they will be able to return to their homelands.

Learning more in-depth about the diversity and culture of Palestine throughout this project and connecting with people has been the greatest gift. Of course, we share many similarities, and there are also so many differences. I think one of the many joys of being human is that we can learn from others who share different life experiences and customs than us.

Humbly, my mission as a photographer is to share and uplift the stories of the most misrepresented, marginalized, and at-risk communities. The best images should evoke emotion, be memorable, impactful, and tell a story—especially one relevant to today.

This fall and winter, I worked on a personal photo series titled ‘Palestinian Diaspora’, aiming to uplift the community, and shed light on a few stories of those displaced around me. The image featured, acknowledged as Photo Vogue’s Pic of The Day, introduces Samer, a member of the diaspora.

Samer was displaced and forced to leave his home Ramallah during the second Intifada, his family’s house was set on fire by settlers. Today, he stands as a living testament to the erasure conflicts bring. As the Israeli Government’s attacks on Gaza persist, entire family trees are erased, millions starve and are displaced, thousands are disfigured and injured in an attempt to silence a collective memory. In this turmoil, queer and trans Palestinians face an exacerbated struggle, tangled in the deceptive web of ‘pinkwashing’ that denies their existence and rights.

Israel's pinkwashing, proclaiming itself a haven for LGBTQ individuals, conceals the brutal realities queer Palestinians endure under occupation. A textbook case of “freedom, safety, and democracy for me, but not for thee.” Displaced and often targeted, their oppressors' violence remains their greatest threat. Their existence is denied completely, and the dehumanization of palestinians extends to online platforms, where people will wish upon them death or say “Go to Gaza see what happens to you there.” Through a lens of racism and hate, they have somehow failed to realize that the greatest threat right now to all Palestinians, Queer or otherwise, is the heavy bombing and inevitable famine due to the internationally illegal blockade. They become the homophobic and hateful people they so claim to be against. How can you expect a community to be safe or heal, to grow and flourish, under constant bombing and occupation?

Yet, amidst destruction, LGBTQ+ Palestinians like Samer resist. Unapologetic, he wears a custom corset made from a Palestinian Keffiyeh, each tattoo narrating a unique story of, resistance, love, peace, rage, and personal growth.

Robbins crafts funky and soulful tunes that makes waves through the heart of the chicago community. During our time together, we discussed art, emotion, and community work. He shared a mantra that lingered in the air: “Give 1% each day, grow 1%, and by year-end, you’ll be 365% better.” A philosophy that mirrors his commitment to uplifting artists and communities. i admire the consistency and perseverance.

photographed here on medium format film - Soumaya Bayoud, a beautiful and talented Moroccan immigrant, wears her culture like a badge of honor. her pride for her heritage is infectious, and I wanted to capture that in our photoshoot. we created this dress from the cowhide from the family farm in Casablanca. then accessorized by her traditional Moroccan jewelry and fabrics. we spoke about life in the US and our experiences as North African woman.

Soumaya and Assia are twins who share their daily adventures on YouTube , showcasing their lives in the US as Moroccan immigrants, breaking stereotypes and opening doors for others in their community.

قضت سامية  و آسيا بعض الوقت معي و سمحتا لي بإنشاء مجموعة من الصور مستوحاة من المغرب القديم أو الأندلس. لوحة فنية من روعة الفخامة: نادرًا ما كنت أستمتع برؤية العديد من الفنانين الشمال الإفريقيين و أرغب صادقة في رؤية المزيد، لذا تبدو هذه المحاولة بداية جيدة.

سامية و آسيا هما توأمتان تشاركان مغامراتهما اليومية على يوتيوب، تشاركان حياتهما في الولايات المتحدة كمهاجرات مغاربة، تغيران الصور النمطية و تفتحان الأبواب للآخرين في مجتمعهم

Ayo and I met through our mutual love for the Game Of Thrones television series back in 2017, we had a little viewing party that met every Sunday where we got together as a group of friends, discussed the possibilities for that evenings episodes, and then watched the latest episode together (always followed by more shock, excitement, and lively discussion). We have both since embarked on musical journeys, and get to reconnect from time to time to create and discuss art.

October 2023 | BEST OF Photo Vogue

Camerons voice is like sweet cream, on this day we sat in the grass at Kensington Market and discussed life, cats, music, art, social Justice, tattoos. He was a bit shy, just like me. I’ve noticed my photography lately taking me to a new places, forcing me to be more open, inviting, and extremely talkative and attentive. Skill sets I’ve loved growing and fostering. Connecting with other beings and sharing in genuine moments.

I met Cameron in an after party during Toronto fashion week this year, he wore an unforgettable, beautiful pink coord that I’m certain everyone in the room was swooning over. I eventually mustered the courage to say hello and introduce myself and my work before leaving the event. We photographed together the following week, where I learned more about his self made music and ethereal aura. We bonded a little over music, cats, architecture, fashion, and art. I wanted the portraits to feel intimate, soft, and as ethereal as he was. Angel energy on earth.

Afshi is a story of resilience, a story that many other young girls around the world share, whom are silenced by societal pressures and standards. Originally Pakistani and growing up in France, she navigated much of her youth living between two cultures, divided by the expectations of her family and community, as well as the desire to pave her own life choices.

“At 25, I went on vacation to Pakistan where I was forced into an arranged marriage. It was miserable. I divorced him a year later, cutting ties with my family. They were disgraced by me. I opened a Bollywood Dance School in Lyon, and share my passion for my culture and heritage online. It’s important to me that the world sees the beauty of my culture and religion, and that they do not mistake these negative, misogynistic customs for who we truly are.”

I began living my life at the age of 28, it was a lot of struggle and relief. I go to therapy, I work on myself daily, and I try to be the best version of myself at every moment. I want to share my story in the hopes that it helps other young women who have been in my situation, to let them know they are not alone, and that they too can start anew, no matter their age.”