Meet Ariana Zahedi | Photographer & Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariana Zahedi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariana, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Coming from a family that appreciates artwork and creativity, we find comfort and excitement to make it a part of our lives. If I had not pursued photography, I wouldn’t feel as fulfilled living life. It brings me pure happiness and pushes me to pursue my vision because the work I put in contributes to what I love. To show the world all the beauty I see in every little detail of a celebration, love, nature, gives one an idea that you can look through someone else’s lens and see the colors of their universe.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While I am a photographer, many who have seen me as that don’t know that I actually have a career as an engineer. I went to school and studied electrical engineering, hoping to contribute and support women in stem. It was not an easy path at all, but it was rewarding. You build problem solving skills and a strong backbone, two key important traits to have as a working professional. I’ve had moments where those I could look up to for guidance did not believe in my ability because they saw me fail once. There were too many job rejections to make one feel they are not good enough. But the one opinion that should matter the most is your own. Always trust yourself along the process and keep going. It may be slow, but when the time comes, you will succeed. Everything happens for a reason.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One thing I love about Dallas is the food scene – I always tell friends to visit solely for the restaurants we have. Some of our favorite spots include Ricky’s Hot Chicken, Noodle Wave, 85 Degrees, and Uchi (if you’re ready to spend a pretty penny). Coming from the desert, Dallas surprised us well with the amount of greenery and botanical gardens there are – we would recommend Dallas Botanical Garden for its zen environment to take a stroll with family and friends especially in the spring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many I can dedicate my journey to, but the most important I believe are my parents and husband. My dad for allowing me to experiment with his own equipment and providing me my first ever camera. My mom for always believing in my work. And my husband, Abbas, for fully supporting my potential since the beginning while kicking my self criticism to the curb during my down moments. The impact is one I’m incredibly grateful for.

Website: www.arianazahediphoto.com

Instagram: arianazahediphoto

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/arianazahedi/