I was born in Dhaka in 1981. I began working as a photographer in 2001. I have graduated from South Asian Media Academy and Photojournalism (Pathshala). I am one of the 2011 Ochberg Fellows. My works have been published and exhibited worldwide. I have worked as a freelancer for several daily newspapers in Bangladesh and international magazines. My works have been published in major magazines and newspapers in the world: Sunday Times Magazine, American Photo, National Geographic Society, Better Photography, Saudi Aramco World Magazine, Guardian, Telegraph, The Independent and The New Internationalist, Himal Southern, Women’s e-News.

When I was a child, I enjoyed taking photographs of my family, neighbors, and my community. My passion became a rhythm that pushed me to explore the world of image making. I realized photography is not just a play of camera; it’s a play of life with light and darkness. Thus I chose the path of photography to experience life. It became a part of my identity, a force that makes me think, feel and the understand human beings and life.

When I studied the work of classical and master photographers, I was inspired to develop my own vision and style. But I realized if I shoot a photo or a series of photos just for sell, I am not making this world any better. I have to first commit to telling a true story, continue with in-depth work over a long period of time and also follow up. This way I can then tell the story of the person behind the face. This drew me to the world of photojournalism and documentary genre so I can investigate the stories behind facts and ask questions.

A photograph cannot be separated from a photographer. Today photography is fragmented, divisions and sub-groups are increasing— classic, contemporary, commercial, photojournalism, art, fine art, etc. But for me, Photography is a two-fold journey—self-discovery and documenting the world through a unique perspective. It involves learning and deep self-introspection; both require life-long commitment. I have always believed that to be a good photographer you have to first be a good human being.

One important goal is to tell my stories in a way that my audience will look at my subjects with respect. A story never ends, it continues to develop, sometimes it fades or it becomes history but it can be still documented. So, I believe in documenting change that is constant.

I am an indigenous photographer, telling the narratives of a land that shaped me. I am interested in documenting stories about people and our interaction with nature, about healing and surviving, about fighting for rights and toiling for food, about taking a stand against injustice. With this goal I am working on stories such as: survivors of acid attacks, elderly people abandoned in old-age homes, unregulated growth of stone crushing industries, the harmful brickfields, the indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts etc. My ongoing project is “Dhaka: an unwanted city”.

---

Portfolio: