We live in a world where moments pass by in the blink of an eye, so preserving memories has become more important than ever. Malaika Khan, a talented photographer and videographer, through her years of experience has mastered the art of capturing these fleeting moments and transforming them into timeless treasures. Specializing in editorial fashion and South Asian weddings, Malaika’s work exudes a unique blend of elegance, authenticity, and artistry. Her weddings look like they’ve been lifted straight off the pages of a high-end magazine, and her candid captures are a testament to her passion for storytelling. During an exclusive interview with TINDS, Malaika shared her inspiring story of coming this far and becoming who she is today.
TINDS: Tell us a bit about where and how your journey into photography started?
Malaika: I started using a camera around five years ago. During my high school days, I managed to persuade my parents to buy me my first camera. We split the cost evenly, making it feel like a birthday gift. Before I had my own camera, I would take pictures with my mom’s phone, and I’ve always had a creative streak. That’s where my passion began. Additionally, I learned a great deal by watching numerous YouTube videos. People often ask if I studied photography formally, and I usually respond that all the knowledge I’ve gained comes from YouTube.
TINDS: What three words would you choose to describe yourself?
Malaika: Creative, Driven & Multitasker.
TINDS: Could you tell us a bit about your educational background?
Malaika: I’m a senior in college right now, pursuing a degree in communications. I completed my high school education in South Jersey, which is where I’m originally from.
TINDS: Belonging from a South Asian family, have your parents always been supportive of what you are doing or chose to do?
Malaika: I am from Pakistan and feel incredibly fortunate that my parents initially encouraged my creative pursuits. Growing up, I juggled various interests, often shifting from one hobby to another—whether it was painting, drawing, scrapbooking, or baking. Photography was just another pastime in their eyes, and they hesitated to invest in an expensive camera if I might abandon it like the others. Surprisingly, photography resonated with me more than anything else, and I continued to pursue it. Over time, my parents recognized that I could actually turn this passion into a career. Initially just a hobby for me, my dad always emphasized the importance of education and earning a degree first. Now that I’ve established a photography business beyond my expectations, their support has been invaluable, and I am truly grateful for it.
TINDS: Tell us a little about this other business of yours “Amira Coffee Bar”.
Malaika: It’s simply a part of my multifaceted approach to life; I struggle to focus on just one thing. A few months ago, I launched Amira Coffee Bar, a mobile coffee business. We operate a mobile coffee car that caters to events, similar to how I work in photography and videography, but this time it’s all about coffee. We have a complete espresso setup with machines and syrups. I also employ baristas to manage the coffee bar. At our inaugural coffee event, I was simultaneously handling photography and videography while my coffee team took care of serving drinks. Our offerings include various espresso-based beverages like chai, mocha, and lattes—essentially everything you can think of!
TINDS: Does it not get hectic managing more than just photography when attending a wedding?
Malaika: Absolutely. I have confidence in my team. They’re capable of managing everything. It was somewhat chaotic, particularly since it was our inaugural coffee event. However, I believe in their skills; I’m certain they’ll capture the shots I’m looking for and prepare the coffee correctly. So, I’m not worried. We began developing this a few months ago, around January, and if I recall correctly, we officially launched it in May.
TINDS: What do you think about the market for wedding photographers in 2024?
Malaika: I believe the wedding industry is continuously expanding, and there will always be opportunities for new creatives. People are perpetually getting married, ensuring a steady demand for wedding services. Love is abundant, and particularly within the salvation community, weddings happen every weekend. Many vendors I know are consistently booked for events, including myself; there’s no lack of weddings to cater to. While a new generation of photographers is emerging, there remains ample space for everyone in this field—clients are plentiful. The collaborative spirit within our community is fantastic; if I’m unavailable for a job, I often refer clients to my vendor friends. However, I do notice a shortage of skilled wedding videographers. While there are many talented photographers around, videography seems to be somewhat overlooked by some companies who don’t invest the necessary effort into it. Videography can be quite complex and requires significant skill to master. There are certainly some exceptional videographers out there, but we could benefit from having more of them in the industry.
TINDS: Would you like people to recognize you as a photographer or a videographer?
Malaika: I engage in both photography and videography. My journey began with photography, but I was also drawn to videography at the same time. I spent time watching YouTube tutorials for both fields; however, I found videography to be quite complex, which led me to focus solely on photography for a while. Recently, I decided to revisit videography and started offering those services just over a year ago. Now, I manage a production company that provides both photography and videography services. Personally, while I acknowledge that videography is more intricate and demanding, I find the final results far more rewarding and fulfilling.
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TINDS: What do you think are the qualities required to be a good photographer?
Malaika: The ability to multitask is certainly crucial, as it requires managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. However, it’s also essential to recognize that you can’t handle everything on your own. I’ve faced challenges with this notion, often wanting to oversee every aspect of my work. To successfully run a production company that offers both photography and videography, I’ve come to understand that I can’t be the sole contributor in both areas at once. This realization highlights the importance of delegating tasks and having confidence in your team. Being an effective leader means acknowledging your limitations. Similarly, in my coffee business, I sometimes wish I could take on every role—photographer, videographer, barista—but I’ve learned that collaboration is key. Having a reliable team allows me to step back from micromanaging; I trust their abilities and give them the freedom to excel in their roles. This approach fosters a positive environment where everyone can thrive.
TINDS: What are your thoughts about Artificial Intelligence and how has it affected or impacted what you do?
Malaika: In my view, AI has both positive and negative aspects for me personally. When used wisely and in moderation, it can be incredibly beneficial—especially when you only include necessary elements. For instance, tools like Photoshop or Lightroom leverage AI to remove unwanted items from images, which I find extremely valuable. However, if AI is misused to generate entirely fictional images or manipulate reality, it undermines the essence of photography and stifles creativity. On the videography front, I’ve noticed that AI can effectively reduce noise in videos, resulting in a much clearer appearance. This is particularly advantageous for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where video quality often suffers during uploads. Since social media plays a crucial role in how we promote ourselves and our businesses, utilizing AI to enhance our content is undeniably useful.
TINDS: What would you be if not a photographer?
Malaika: I’ve mentioned before that I have a variety of interests. I’m considering transforming one of those passions into a business venture. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to run my own company, but I wasn’t sure what kind it should be. Now, I’m thinking about taking one of my creative hobbies, like photography, and developing it into a business where I can lead a team. That’s the direction I envision for myself, just in another creative field.
TINDS: What area or region do you usually work in?
Malaika: I primarily work on weddings in New Jersey and New York, but I also travel to other states. Next month, I have a photography job in Florida, followed by a videography assignment in Dallas, Texas the following week. I’m flexible with locations and will go wherever I’m needed for photography. So, I’ll be heading to Florida for one wedding and then off to Texas the next week.
TINDS: What would your advice be to young entrepreneurs?
Malaika: My recommendation would be to concentrate on honing your craft and enhancing the creative side of your business. It’s crucial to ensure that your photography is exceptional. If you’re producing videos, they should continuously improve, and you need to offer high-quality products. Without a solid product, sales will suffer. Many newcomers in this industry often approach it with a wedding-focused mindset, believing they’ll make a fortune. However, I don’t think that’s the right perspective; being overly concerned with profits can distract you from delivering quality work. This can lead to subpar photos or videos, which isn’t beneficial for either your business or your clients—especially considering how significant weddings are in people’s lives. It doesn’t make sense to neglect the quality of your work when it plays such an important role in someone’s big day. Therefore, I strongly advise focusing on the creative elements of what you do. When you genuinely enjoy your craft, it will shine through in your output, and that’s the best guidance I can offer anyone just starting out.
TINDS: Do you believe that your current degree is beneficial in your interactions with clients in photography, or does it assist you in any other aspect of what you’re involved in at the moment?
Malaika: My degree isn’t benefiting me at all; it seems like a colossal waste of both time and money. However, I’m incredibly thankful that I’ve been pursuing my passion for photography for some time now, and I’m proud to have built my own business around it. While I do believe that having a degree is valuable as a safety net, right now, my communications degree—which I expect to receive in about a year—feels pointless. The career path I’m aiming for doesn’t seem to require it. I believe my portfolio should be sufficient to land a job at a marketing agency, especially if I’m applying for roles like content creator. I’ve created content for restaurants, developed my own website, and managed the social media for my coffee business. With all this experience, I feel equipped enough to even start my own marketing agency if I chose to do so. So I’m left questioning the necessity of the degree altogether. Additionally, much of what I’ve learned in class feels basic; communications seems relatively straightforward compared to other fields. While there are certainly more challenging degrees out there, personally speaking, much of what I’ve encountered in class feels like common sense rather than specialized knowledge.