Community Highlights: Meet Meshaal Malik of PhotoMeshM

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Meshaal Malik.

Hi Meshaal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Mesh, and I am a professional portrait photographer based in Charlotte, NC, and New York. I have been honing my photography skills for over ten years and officially started my business, PhotoMeshM, two years ago when I decided to pursue photography full-time.

It has been a journey filled with ups and downs, and I have learned a lot along the way. I am always striving to improve and constantly educating myself in the field of photography. I am passionate about sharing my work with the world and am excited to see where my career will take me next!

My passion for capturing beauty through photography has led me to specialize in fashion and beauty photography. Through my work, I strive to showcase diversity and love throughout different cultures, celebrating the uniqueness and beauty of each individual. I am grateful to have my work recognized and featured in various galleries and magazines, and I am constantly inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of traditional beauty standards.

My work began exploring racism towards Islam, body shaming, and Pakistani fashion. I express my thoughts, emotions, and inspirations through my work.

My faith, my personal care, and my fashion motivate me. My creativity is expressed through photography to explore these themes. However, as a Muslim woman, I know that my faith and my culture are often misunderstood and misrepresented. I moved to the United States from Saudi Arabia, and my family and I were treated negatively because of our religion and cultural background.

Art became a way for me to deal with my frustration and channel it into something positive. I started using photography to educate the audience about the true teachings of Islam and to challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions. My intention is to promote understanding and acceptance towards Muslims and to create a more inclusive and tolerant society.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! Every artist goes through a rough patch with their business at some point. While it may be difficult and challenging, it is also necessary in order to learn and grow from our mistakes. Personally, my biggest struggle has been my anxiety.

In 2016, I fell into a deep depression without even realizing it. However, with the support of my loved ones and a strong sense of faith, I was able to overcome it, and now I always try to see the brighter side of each day. This experience has taught me to be resilient and to never give up, no matter how tough things may seem.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
After much thought and planning, I ultimately decided to pursue my passion for photography and turn it into a business. As I explored different locations and captured images that brought me joy, I realized that I wanted to share this feeling with others. What better way to do so than by creating a shop on my website where customers can purchase prints of my work? While I have not yet published the shop, I am excited to launch it this summer and see where this venture takes me.

Furthermore, having a website allows me to reach a wider audience and showcase my work to potential clients and collaborators around the world. It also serves as a platform for me to express my unique perspective and style, which incorporates elements of my culture and religion. By incorporating these elements into my work, I am able to stand out from others in the fashion and beauty industry.

It brings me great pride to share my culture’s fashion with others, and I am constantly inspired to continue creating and showcasing it on my website.

What does success mean to you?
One of the best ways to become successful is by learning from your own mistakes. It is important to reflect on your past decisions and actions and use them as lessons for the future. Even difficult situations can provide valuable learning experiences. In fact, change can be a great opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

Moving to a new state, for example, can push you out of your comfort zone and help you develop new skills and perspectives. By putting yourself in challenging situations, you can train your mind and body to adapt to different circumstances, making you more resilient and capable of achieving success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.photomeshm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomeshm/

Image Credits
Antia Pichardo, Jocelyn Rojas, Katie Link, Jewel Edwards, Nico Sweet, Leeandra Scarlet, Claire Koch, and Shivanni Dahya