Photography Archives - Jalya

NADIA HAMMOUD

Emily Gruz — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:29:34 +0000

My name is Nadia and I’m the lead photographer behind @capturethemomentbynadia. I am based out of Edmonton, Alberta and work in the surrounding area as well. I’m a photographer specializing in family and wedding photography. Photography has been my biggest passion in life and I’m so grateful to be living out my dream, every single day.

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When did you start your business? Was there something or someone that inspired you?

I began my photography business 6 years ago, however, at the time I was working as a criminal law legal assistant. One day, my husband and I were walking through the electronic section in Costco and I came across an entry level canon camera with a lens kit. At that moment, I turned to him and said that I wanted to finally pursue my passion in photography and I haven’t looked back. I have always dreamt of being a photographer my entire life and used to set up photo shoots with my sister at midnight, while everyone in our house was asleep and take photos of her for hours. Growing up with my group of friends, I was always the one with the camera, always the one who needed a photo of every moment and now we’re all left with the best memories (thanks to me!). It’s crazy to me that it’s almost been 6 years because at the time, I literally did not know how to turn on my camera, so it makes me proud of how hard I’ve worked and how much I’ve learned over the years. My biggest inspiration comes from the scenery, fashion, and love. If you know me, you know I’m in love with love and to be able to document that in the most precious moments life has to offer is everything. After all, memories are all we are left with. I get really inspired by the location we shoot in and the outfits and wedding gowns my clients show up in. Since becoming a mother this past year it’s really opened my heart to family photography as well. I’ve always shot families, but I never really knew the importance of documenting your children and your family dynamic until I became a mom and my son has really sparked and put that inspiration in me.

Would you say you reached all of your goals since you started or do you have more to achieve?

I don’t think you ever fully reach your goals if you’re a passionate person. I love to challenge myself and think outside the box and I think your goals change and evolve over time and you’re constantly setting new ones and trying to improve daily. As a photographer your mind is always in creative mode and you’re always planning your next shoot and always trying to be better.

What are the ups and downs when dealing with the Arab community?

I’m incredibly grateful to our community. I started a business 6 years ago not knowing anything and they’ve made my dreams come true over and over again every day since then. They’ve taken “word of mouth” to new heights and I owe my success to my Arab community and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me over the years.

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What would you change if you had to do it all over again?

I wouldn’t have changed a thing. not a thing! My journey to get to where I am now has been a long one. I’m self taught so it took me a lot longer to learn the ins and outs and when I first started there wasn’t all the workshops and YouTube videos that are available today. I’m still learning daily, but it’s made my journey so much sweeter to see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve really grown. I’ve worked so incredibly hard and put in countless hours into educating myself (and still do) and have put my heart into creating images my clients love and it is worth every single second of it.

What challenges has Covid-19 brought to you and your business and how did you overcome them?

Covid came at a time when I was about to gear up after being on maternity leave for 7 months and I was so excited to get back into photography mode. I think Covid was a blessing though. It allowed me to really soak up moments with my son and stay at a slow pace for a long time. That being said, it definitely slowed down business, but I am thankful that photographer’s were still able to operate under certain restrictions. I know there were many businesses that had to shut down repeatedly and how much distress that put on business owners so I’m grateful to have been able to keep going, even if it was at a slower pace.

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NOAH HATOUM

Emily Gruz — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:45:10 +0000

Boom Studios is a wedding cinematography company that creates cinematic style wedding films. Our focus is on luxury clientele worldwide

What made you start your business?

I’ve been in the film making industry for the last 12 years and worked with the biggest middle eastern stars. Some of these stars include Ragheb Alama, Majd Almohandess, Wael Kfoury, Nancy Ajram to name a few. I’ve acted, produced video clips, recruited the cast and coordinated production for many of these stars. I found a passion for telling stories of new couples through film and wanted to bring something new to the table when I moved to Edmonton in 2018.

What challenges has Covid-19 brought to you and your business this year?

The biggest challenge was finding a balance of accommodating and being sensitive to our clients who’s plans were altered while still keeping our business alive. We are thankful that we work with amazing clients and we’re able to support each other in these tough times. The anxiety and stress of the unknown is a whole other story…

What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time before starting your business?

The most important thing when you’re building your business is what your final product looks like and how your client feels.

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Edmonton’s Afflatus Hijab fashion line hit New York runway

Heba A — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:09:48 +0000

Wedad Amiri was going to a lot of weddings and it was costing a lot of money. “It was so hard to find a full-length dress with sleeves and fully lined,” she explains. So, she created her own fashion line. Four years later, Edmonton’s Afflatus Hijab has customers all over the world.

“I’ve sold to Europe, the Middle East, throughout the U.S. and all over Canada,” says the young designer.

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Amiri, a Muslim Edmontonian, wears a hijab and modest clothing. Like many other Canadians, she also wants to be stylish. Now the fashion world is taking note of her work.

The Gwen Point Jacket from Edmonton’s Afflatus Hijab fashion line. Dr. Gwen Point is a BC educator and advocate for aboriginal education. COURTESY: Melissa Ta Photography

A piece from the Afflatus Hijab fashion line, named after Maureen Callihoo Ligtvoet, an indigenous leader living in Treaty 6 Territory. COURTESY: Melissa Ta Photography

Artist Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet models a jacket named after her, part of the Afflatus Hijab fashion line that pays tribute to Indigenous women who are leaders and role models. COURTESY: Melissa Ta Photography

The 9.1 skirt, part of the Afflatus Hijab fashion line designed by Edmonton’s Wedad Amiri. COURTESY: Melissa Ta Photography

A dress from the Afflatus Hijab fashion label, named for Miss Minnesota USA contestant Halima Aden who broke barriers and made history as the first Muslim woman to wear both a hijab and burkini during the competition. COURTESY: Capture the Moment by Nadia

This skirt from the Afflatus Hijab fashion line, designed in Edmonton, Alberta, was named for Nevin Darwish, the first Arab woman to command an Airbus 380. COURTESY: Capture the Moment by Nadia

Afflatus Hijab will be featured on the runway at Maarkah New York Fashion Week on Sept. 10. The event website puts Amiri in good company, proclaiming: “An elite selection of international celebrity designers from across the world will present their exquisite new haute-couture and Modest collections.”

It’s about more than fashion

Amiri has named some of her pieces after women suffering from mental illness. She uses the example of a long, sleeveless red vest called the Nakita Valerio. Valerio is an Edmonton writer and social advocate who holds a master’s degree and is on the executive of the Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council. Her struggle with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and C-PTSD is detailed on the Afflatus Hijab website, along with this advice: “You are resilient. You are still here. See how incredible you are, according to your own development.” The “Nakita Valerio” vest from the Canadian fashion line Afflatus Hijab. This piece is from part of the line designed to highlight mental health, and reduce the stigma around mental illness.

“She helped a lot of people with her story,” says Amiri

Other pieces are named after women dealing with bipolar disorder and anxiety. Each has a story. So too do the women that earlier pieces are named for, Indigenous and Muslim women who Amiri considers trailblazers.

“There’s this narrative that we have no rights, we’re oppressed and all of this,” she says.

“So I wanted to change the narrative and show Muslim women are doing great things in society.”

These are women like Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim legislatorin the U.S., and Doaa Elghobashy, an Olympian from Egypt who garnered global praise after competing in beach volleyball in her hijab.

“It’s been pretty amazing.

We’re a small business here in Edmonton and it’s interesting to see that people from around the world come to see my clothing line on my website.”

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