Meet Kazi Shafin Ishmum | Photographer & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kazi Shafin Ishmum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kazi Shafin, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
In this line of work, losing motivation and inspiration daily is a real problem. But from my six years of experience, I have learned having a solid source of will power and determination can go a long way. It helps me push through any difficulties and drive my way to victory.

Having the ability to defy your limitations and push yourself to be better. Your only weakness is yourself and your fears. Taking risks is necessary to succeed, and having strong will power to overcome the fear of risks goes well hand in hand. I have learned not to back down in the face of a difficulty, and if you want to solve a problem, there is always a way. Sometimes, it may take longer to solve, but you need to have a strong desire to overcome it; otherwise, you will not be able to.

I have learned that the subjectiveness of human perception is unique. It’s different for everyone as they all view the world differently. Understanding that a conflict of views and opinions makes our art different and unique. Knowing that someone out there might never be able to understand the meaning of the work we put our blood, sweat and tears in to create. But that’s perfect. If everyone understood everything, there would be no difference in artists.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what you create and how clear the intention behind your own vision is. You must always understand the weight of your own creative artwork and hold your ground believing in it. Because if you don’t do that yourself, you cannot expect someone else to value it more than you ever will.

Know your actual capacity, set you own limits. And once you have reached your best, break those limits and setup new ones, excel and become more. It is possible believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone stop except yourself, until you think you are done and it’s time to rest.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My goal is creating work that inspires. That may sound very cliche, but I want to make people question. Creating generic work is very easy, but I intend to make something that causes curiosity and force people to think. I want to connect people using this simple concept. Understand my perception along with theirs to have a better understanding. Nowadays, people are so wrapped up in their own confined worlds that it leaves little room for such interactions, which are very important for future artistic growth.

I am a big fan of breaking the conventional photography rules that I have learned over the years and shoot using nontraditional lens focal lengths to shoot portraits like 16mm than 85mm. I have created my own demanding style from these methods. I also often pose men women in reverse social poses than the typical masculine and feminine archetypes. I really like doing what feels right than follow rules. The best part about learning rules is that when you have mastered them, you can break them to create things of limitless beauty.

It was not easy adjusting to this lifestyle since I grew up wanting to be an astrophysicist. Where rules and discipline are key. And as much as they are a key in the artistic realm there is more complex interpretation behind them. One artist’s rule and disciplines may differ drastically from the next to help them do what they do. I moved from Bangladesh six years ago, and though it was hard to transition, I am very satisfied with where I am today and off from my initial path.

I overcame my challenges with practice, strong determination and will power. My hunger and desire to succeed was tenfold than my fear of my failures. I to this day still make mistakes and am constantly failing, but to reach my goals, these obstacles are all part of the process.

My wish is to leave an imprint of myself and my work to be looked back upon one day as someone who tried and succeeded their goals. I want people to understand the important and need of artists around us, and I want more artists who are afraid to take that step to become what they believe. So, close your eyes and take that leap.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in the city are the downtown areas of all the cities around Dallas. Each city has its own historic downtown area that’s full of rich stories to be seen and heard. I really like cities partly because that’s where I grew up in the heart of Bangladesh, Dhaka city. Something about a populated concrete jungle screams an unimaginable beauty.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this to my family, my high school teacher Mr. Leonard, Mr Hutado, Mrs Caffrey and my mentor Mike Mclean for always believing and supporting me.

I would like to mention all my grandparents have been amazing supporters but my late grandfather Kazi Wahiduzz Zamman was my number one fan so I would like to give special dedication in honor of him.

Website: https://www.kzshfn.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazishafin0/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazishafin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFxG_Namu9GmXxNPnPdntQ