Today we’d like to introduce you to Allan Ali.
Hi Allan , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography became the love of my life in 2019. I started a page for my poetry on instagram and I wanted images to go along with my words so I decided to buy a camera and eventually the camera became the engine of my creativity. If I’m being 100 percent honest and going directly to the source of why I became what I am today I would have to credit my late mother’s creativity and my love for the beauty of encyclopedias. My mother was a tailor who focused intensely on perfecting her craft her sketches were her dream board and she would sew late hours into the night to make her ideas and concepts come to life. It’s the sound of that sewing machine humming through the late hours of the night that reminds me to march forth with deep focus and dedication. In my work I choose to highlight the streets of the city I come from and the soul of people who inhabit it. Also again due to my mother’s influence I practice fashion editorial work. It was her magazine collection that inspired my appreciation for style and fashion. I owe the city of Philadelphia for my courage and grit, that when combined with an optimistic and warm disposition gives me everything I need to navigate the world with confidence.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Heart cannot be spelled without art. When you put your heart in your art you’re bound to feel the pain of rejection. I’ve applied for mentorship programs and residencies in the past that left me broken when I didn’t get them because I put so much effort into them. I lick my wounds and get over it every time because I recognize that I’m still very young in photography years but it still hurts. I lost my mother in 2021 and literally don’t remember much from that time period besides the fact I kept photographing. There’s no knobs to turn down the rough patches in life, you just maintain your grit and navigate the seasons because the dark times are temporary. Sometimes it’s when you’re in the most pain that you should create your art the most. In 2022 I applied for a mentorship program in NY with fujifilm and embarrassingly it was announced on IG live with my girlfriend watching as my name wasn’t called. That night I wandered the streets photographing with tears in my eyes until about 4am. I titled that work Philadelphia Horror Story and it received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Out of my deepest pain my greatest work was born. The poem “Don’t quit” by Rudyard Kipling continues to reign true over the years. “Rest if you must but don’t you quit”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in Documentary and street photography with an emphasis on portraiture, I also practice Fashion editorial and pretty much whatever else I want to shoot outside of the aforementioned genres. I carry a camera everyday so that’s the freedom in it, it allows me to wrap my head around whatever form of photography that I want to practice in the moment. I’m most proud of the fact that I am genuinely telling the story of my city the very best that I can. Im not hiding in the shadows, I’m outside connecting and creating as much as I can. Ive had work highlighted on Fox News, numerous publications in magazines, and recognition online but none of it beats sharing the joy of photography with young people. Their enthusiasm is what fills me with the life I need to keep going. What sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to connect with people from all walks of life by quickly developing rapport and inspiring my subjects to be vulnerable. This combined with the use of medium format cameras allows my work to shine. There’s also a level of courage and fearlessness that allows me to access moments some people struggle to navigate through. Working in Kensington the heart of americas opioid crisis comes to mind with regard to that. Everyone doesn’t have the courage and care to navigate that neighborhood and tell stories but those who do find a world of stories that deserve to be told.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Shoot what you want, shoot often, figure out your likes and dislikes and don’t compromise. Ask for help. Find out what ways of working with a camera work best for you. Invest in gear that fits your style. Don’t over spend! You must remember the law of diminishing returns… you could buy a camera that 70 percent more expensive but only 7 percent better. Respect the craft and understand that knowledge is the best investment. Take classes, utilize YouTube as a resource for learning, invest in books, and lastly practice often. Don’t be too hard on yourself about the images just be consistent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allanali_/
Image Credits
Portrait of me by Don Bell @donbellphotography