Today we’d like to introduce you to Hira Mashkoor.
Hira, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Ever since I can remember, I was always a creative kid. I could draw, paint, and sculpt at a really young age. Photography did not start for me until High School. I borrowed my mom’s SLR camera for an art assignment and immediately something clicked in my head. It felt as if something came together in my life. Ever since then, I started playing around more and tried to learn everything I could about the art of Photography. In college, I didn’t study Photography or anything in the artistic field. I graduated with a degree in Political Science and Arabic. However, photography was always my escape and by the time I finished school, it was deeply engrained in me. I knew that it was something that will shape the way I looked at the world and interacted with people. I always tell people that Political Science isn’t just a study of politics and how government works but it also a study of people and how they interact and contribute in their respective society. The same mindset can be applied in Photography. It is not just about taking a good picture. Before snapping that picture, a photographer studies his or her subject and sees how they interact with their environment. That connection is something that is reflected in photographs. Being a photographer is what I know best. Regardless of the trajectory of my career, I know it is something that is rooted in my being and I hope to continue to grow in it.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not. Being a daughter of immigrants, you are expected to follow a well-defined path. I was expected to go into the law or medicine field. While I have a love for Foreign Affairs and languages, I knew I am not the one for a 9-5 desk job. The photographer and creative in me always came out whenever I tried to restrict myself to a “professional” adult job. After a couple of years of figuring out what I wanted to do, I knew that photography was my way of being successful in this world.
When you look back, can you point to a period when you wanted to quit or a period that was really frustrating?
Absolutely! Working as a full-time photographer for a company seemed like the perfect job. I would be doing what I love every single day. However, that came with its challenges. Finding a source of inspiration for your creativity can be challenging especially if your job constantly requires it. Personally, my source of inspiration is something that cannot be forced or be found on demand. There are periods where I have felt very uninspired and cannot produce work that I am proud of. Those are the moments that I have felt like quitting. However, I know that if I stop creating, I lose a huge part of myself.
What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
Yes! Get out there, photograph, and talk to people. Atlanta is one of those cities where it is easy to network and you never know what connection you might make when just casually talking to someone new. It is a creative city so the more you photograph and explore new places, the more likely you are to make those human connections that will be beneficial to you building your network.
Is there something you are particularly excited about or working towards?
I am really excited about where my work will take me, whether it is related to photography or my political interests. I think no matter where life takes me, I will always be a creative first and the possibilities because of that are exciting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehiramashkoor.com
- Email: mashkoorhira@gmail.com
- Instagram: thehirandthenow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiraMashkoorPhotography
