The After Hour Photo.
The most common reaction I get is a half grin- half squint that can be interpreted as something between “oh, I see” and “this guy is a weirdo.” While most people initially assume I run some sketchy, NSFW operation, the name is actually a testament to how my journey began 2 years ago. In fact, the response is very positive once people type my website into their browser, in a private window or not.
I was at a point in my life where I needed to re-invent myself. A Psychology major at the University of Washington, coursework and a day job forced my creative mind to take a back seat to routine and stress. While browsing the web one night, I discovered several online photo blogs that explained off-camera lighting, strobes, camera settings, and retouching tips. I was hooked. I wanted to take photos like these people.
I studied and worked by day, and spend the rest of the night learning. Often times, all night.
Since then it has been shoot shoot shoot! I would say I mainly shoot portraiture and lifestyle, getting a lot of inspiration from young photographers around the country like Connor Surdi, Jordan Voth, Cameron Rad, Derren Versoza, and Marcus Hyde. Just look up the “Brotographers” and you’ll find them along with a bunch of other great photographers.
Along the way I’ve had an opportunity to work with fashion lines and music artists in the Seattle area. This photo thing has taken me on some crazy adventures and has allowed me to experience some of the greatest moments of my life. With that said, I never allow myself to be content with my photography. I’ve come a long way, but not anywhere close to where I want to be. Photo blogs like Seven by Five, Fstoppers and the Framed Network can substitute as my homepage.
In the future, my business goals include shooting commercial fashion and lifestyle. Being published in a magazine would be awesome. A little commission wouldn’t hurt. But my motivation for shooting remains the same since I started this whole thing in my basement 2 years ago. I want to inspire people. Maybe there is someone out there browsing the web in the middle of the night, looking for something, anything, to inspire them. For me, it changed my life. I want to share that experience.
Links:
http://www.TheAfterHourPhoto.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-After-Hour-Photo-Film/111416925612931
http://twitter.com/amir_zahed2
http://www.instagram.com/amiraclewhip22
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