Life & Work with Aliyaah Jackson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliyaah Jackson. 

Hi Aliyaah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, my love for photography really stems from when I was younger. I’ve always had this obsession with photos, fashion, and creating art. At 5 years old, I was in pageants, I had modeling contracts, featured in art shows, and so much more. So, I knew from a very early age that my purpose in this lifetime was to create. 

I believe I got my first camera in Middle School, and I remember it was a Pink Sony, a little point and shoot. I literally took it everywhere! It was like I had total control over what I could create. So, I would draw fashion sketches, try to create photoshoots from those sketches, and have my family a friends pose. 

As I got older, my drive to create art really wasn’t where it needed to be. Kind of like I felt disconnected in a way. So instead of creating, I would always just spend hour’s really just studying different things. At one point, I was in a bad headspace and my mom always tries to cheer me up and surprise me, she bought me a Nikon for Valentine’s Day, and I did my real first planned photoshoot. Honestly, shout out to her, because she’s one of my top-tier supporters and I literally can’t express how thankful I am to have her. But it really helped me get out my slump and I started to love art again. I’ve always felt that I’m misinterpret a lot but when I take pictures, I feel like people understand what I’m trying to say. 

I continued to do more photoshoots and every time I would post a new shoot, the love I would get would go crazyyy. Like, it was people I never knew before, people from different countries who loved my worked. That’s a good feeling. I literally take pride in connecting with people in a genuine caring way. I felt that was something I can accomplish through my work, and that’s really what brings me here today in creating Aliyaah Annakiya. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, most definitely not! I don’t think any road for anyone is smooth. Especially being a young black female in a predominately male industry. There are days when I get into a creative black hole and struggle to be inspired or even want to shoot. Some people will never see your potential how you see it and it’s difficult to get your name out there and have people realize you’re serious about work when it seems like it’s something everyone is doing at the moment. Those are consistently the battles and parts of this work that can be intense. I try to shut down the negativity and focus on what’s in front of me. Challenging myself to do better than yesterday. That is to say, life is short, appreciate what you do and give yourself flowers. Your opportunity is approaching however that accompanies persistence, dedication, and hard work. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Most people know me as a photographer but I’m much more than that. With my photography, I specialize in fashion, portraits, and editorials with a sprinkle of lifestyle photography. I want my images to allow people to see the beauty in the unnoticed details of themselves that they’ve never paid attention to. 

Outside of photography, I have my own clothing brand called Society Warehouse. It’s a Fashion Brand manufactured to politicize Social Injustice. The goal is to Make Voices Heard by helping the community, nurture our youth, and teach everyone how to be Fearlessly Authentic. This allows me to bring all the things I love together. Taking pictures, designing clothes, and most importantly helping and giving back to my community. 

I think what sets me apart is I’m a very balanced creative. I have a niche yet I additionally have confidence in having my hands in a ton of other various things. If you need somebody to create a cover art, web design, or a logo, I’m literally that girl. Most people don’t anticipate that a girl knows how to do various creative things in this industry. Sometime, I get a lot of people tell me “I’m the first female photographer they have worked with” In my head, I’m thinking, well. Let’s show out then! 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m really straight foreword however, I can be modest with regards to my photography on occasion. I’m humble with all that I do but I don’t “toot my horn” loud enough. The unknowing of how my work will be interpreted can play a role on that. 

Contact Info:

• Email: aliyaah.jackson@gmail.com
• Website: www.aliyaahannakiya.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliyaahannakiya
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/aliyaahannakiya
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/aliyaahannakiya

Image Credits:
Aliyaah Annakiya
Avi
Abria
Brooke
Amira
Anna
Niyah
Drique
Kay
Scotty
Kyhrih