Pride: A Conversation with Soraya Zaman | Blog

Soraya Zaman's work covers numerous subjects, from portraiture to travel to fashion, and many more. Across disparate subject matters there are common themes that can be found: a power of the emotional and raw, and the sense of an intimate and deep connection between subject and photographer.

Begin with the incredible work of Soraya, " American Boys." Through the span of three months, Soraya (they/them) traveled to 21 states to photograph and interview 29 transmasculine subjects. The result is a book that will be remembered forever, "American Boys" weaves compelling essays and intimate and empathetic portraiture that gives voice to an often under-represented subject.

It's whether they use the camera to understand the world, or offering their lens to share the experiences of those who would not otherwise have the opportunity - or as is most of the time performing both in the same day Soraya's work is definitely something to be watched.

We requested Soraya and the rest of our featured Pride instructors to enjoy this guided audio meditation. We would like to invite you to do the same. This will help you envision a bigger future and welcome and claim the parts of your own self that may be overlooked. Read my conversation with Soraya for a reason to motivate you to dream bigger.

 What role has creativity played in the expression of your personal persona?

It's played a significant function. In my own project American Boys, it was really a vehicle for me to explore my personal identities. This project was created in conjunction with me exploring my gender as being non-binary. It's hard to believe that I didn't know when I started that this was what I was doing although I was using the process to explore my own self. It helped me come to a very sound sense of who I am and felt very affirmed and comfortable in the process of meeting with these individuals as well as documenting their processes and how I was doing. There was a great deal of stories to share. The connection is really important and drives my process. This is why I am inspired when taking pictures of someone inspirational.

 What was the biggest fear you've had to overcome to share your creativity fully? What myths and beliefs were you able to conquer?

As with many creatives you get this feeling of not being good enough. There's always a comparison which is something you really need to try to avoid. It's inevitable that there will be somebody better than you, and there's bound to be someone worse and that's what's important. The point is to just be true to what you value most and be true to yourself in your work as an artist. It's not possible to find the worth of your work outside of it, because you're always going to be frustrated. You really just have to take pride in the amount of work you've have put into. If you can do this there is no way to fail.

Since I'm not a guy and I'm not a girl, all of those expectations are gone. It's a feeling of liberation as I don't be accepted in any way which is why I don't bother?

 What has the queer community shaped your perspective?

My perspective has been greatly shaped by it. Also being non binary is a huge influence on my outlook since both of these things quickly means that social norms and standards no longer pertain to me. So it kind of sets me free. There's a freedom in going, "well, I don't necessarily have to follow my life in a prescribed way." It's like most queer people feel that way, in this particular community, there's an underlying sense of liberation. It's made me a master of my own destiny. Since I'm not a guy and I'm certainly not a girl, all of those expectations are no more. There's this sense of freedom because I'm not going to fit in anyway which is why I don't bother?

 When did you feel like you'd unlocked your calling?

My feeling is that our mission will never cease to change. I was truly compelled to work on this American Boys project. It was a journey that was bigger than me as an artist. I was only the conduit of which it was coming through. It was a four-year process of really hard labor. The majority of creatives who do big projects may say the similar thing about callings, yet I'm open to being attracted to different kinds of things. Like now I'm leaning into the connection I have to nature and the way that plays out. I'm at the very beginning of learning how I'd like to bring that into the work I do with my body.

 What is creative fulfillment? appear to you?

It's somewhat fleeting. There's a feeling of completion which is incredibly satisfying but then you're sort of thinking "what's coming next?" At least that's what I feel. It's for me the most immediate experience however, it's something that you can look at in the past.

In the aftermath of the book I wrote, it's something I'm super satisfied with, and the creativity of the book is not so much the images, and more about random emails from friends who say how connected their lives are to my book and how it has changed their lives or they showed the book to their parents, and how it made them feel more comfortable.

 What do you say to anyone who's scared to share or create their creative work?

Don't be afraid to show the people around you and get their opinion. You'll never be flawless right off the bat. Starting something new is the main factor. Take that first picture or meet the first person. You don't have to be thinking about the goals you're hoping to accomplish at a grand scale, just take the first step.

 Do you ever feel more connected to you?

If I'm making something, I'm truly in the moment and just shooting the things I love and I'm really connecting with my photographer's.

Another place to look could be the ocean. It's not that I live near the ocean anymore, but as an Australian I love being near water.

The first step is the main thing. Start with that first photo and meet that initial person. You don't have to be thinking about the goals you're trying to reach on a big size, simply take that first step.

 What are the edges you're are currently pushing creatively? which domains do you feel anxious and eager to test your creative limits?

My personal experience was that I relocated Upstate for the sake of being closer to the natural world. I'm really looking forward to pushing the innovative edge, and identifying the interplay between nature and queerness. I'm really interested in the movement to promote food justice as well as racial justice, environmental justice and that intersection. I'm in the beginning stage of all this and those are the things I'm most interested in at the moment and the way it works with nature in a peaceful way.