Omer Khalid Anwer: Islamabad's Most Sought After Photographer!

Maldives!

• Omer, Introduce yourself to the people who don’t?

I’m an Islamabad based Photographer and I used to do corporate events and weddings. Later on, I jumped into Fashion Photography. I own a Production house called Roadcrew media; along my partner Fahim Farid.

• When did you know you can capture life and moments into cameras?

Life teaches you things in its own ways. Back in 2009, I was going through worst phases of my life; I wouldn’t speak to anyone. So, I bought myself a DSLR camera and started clicking. I had a passion of collecting pictures of sceneries, cars, bikes, celebrities, sports and all, since my teenage years. Therefore, the depression phase gave me a chance to get into the art of taking pictures. I started off with it as a hobby. A Year later, I was earning from it.

• What is the earliest photo you took?

From the DSLR, it was picture of my son who was 3 years old then.

• Are you proud of what you do?

Alhamdulillah, I’m proud of what I am today. God has been very kind to me with all the respect I have gained through my photography!

• What are the problems faced by Photographers in Pakistan?

Photographers are not well paid in Pakistan. In addition to that, People still don’t give respect to photographers. That needs to change if we want our industry to grow.

• How do you manage business with life?

It’s getting quite tough for me now, as I am managing 4 different businesses now. I hardly give time to family and friends!

• Why is photography common in Pakistan?

I think, 10 years back, the media was not very open to the public. Plus, the DSLR cameras weren’t in budget. Now you can buy a DSLR in range of Rs. 50,000/- . Last but not the least, the glamour is attracting the young generation, so they commence photography without knowing the basics of it.

• How do you explain the relation between lens and Life?

Lens is a best object to capture moments in life; Good or bad, Decent and Indecent, pure and impure, Right or wrong.….  Every image depicts a story of life and Lens save that moment in time when these things interact.

• What is the most memorable event you covered?

In 2013, I was called by a Lahore based fashion show organizer company. They hired my services for a fashion tour in different states of USA. It went for 3 weeks. It was one of most memorable trips and events I covered that gave me a boost into fashion Industry.

• What are of art do you want to discover in your future projects?

I’m learning more of light techniques in outdoor shoots; as that is the current trend nowadays.

• What projects are you working on?

I’m more into fashion industry, hence taking on more of fashion shoots and Bridal shoots along with other creative works like covering art galleries, Literature exhibitions and such.

• How is PR related to your goodwill?

PR is everything in this society now. You get more projects if you have better PR than others.

• The most embarrassing moment of your photography career?

A few months back, I covered a wedding event. I was hired by the bride herself. Her parents had the old thought of pictography. They wanted the group pictures and all people staring in the camera, while being clicked. Whereas, I’m known as the photographer who clicks the best candid pictures and well, they became quite harsh with me, and told me that I don’t even know how to take pictures. Their daughter came to my rescue later. It was funny too!

• Do you think painting pictures and Taking pictures are two arts of the same purpose?

Yes, I believe these are two different types of art. A painter visualizes scenery or feelings in human and depicts it into his own thoughts and paints it. Whereas, a photographer clicks what he sees through his lens.

• Who is your international Photography crush?

Oh that is a long list. There are so many talented people in the world. Osman Ghani, Said Muhammad & Pravin Talan would make the top of the list.

• If there was/is/will an event you would want to cover somehow, what would it be?

I want to cover the next Moon Landing! It would be such a spectacular moment for life and this world. I want to capture it’s beauty and anticipation.

• Every photographer wants this one portrait shoot, of his/her way and heart. If you were to choose, who will you capture through your camera?

Well, there are so many. But If I had to choose, I would want to shoot Amitabh Bachan, Imran Khan and Salma Hayek . All three are the world’s most sought after public figures. Plus, they have done so much to influence the world. It would be an honor to see them and capture them in the lens.

• What is your message to the world?

“Live and let others live”… Criticizing others on their work is very easy. Learn to appreciate others.

Thank you Omer, It was amazing talking to you. Here is his Official Facebook account:

https://www.facebook.com/omerkfoto?fref=ts

Here is a short Gallery of Images he has captured. They are my personal Favorites. And the fun part is, they are in the most random order so you can see the variation and expertise. Enjoy!

The Amazing Hamza Ali Abbasi, A persnal Friend of Omer Khalid.

Shoes to make the day!

The beautiful Nadia Hussain

The Legend in Pakistan-Imran Khan

Mathira!

Does reminds me of Madagascar!

And The Jungle book!

Sports and Fun!

Colors of Pakistan

Islamabad Fashion Week

Weddings!

Too much amazingness in one Photo!

Portraits-Hamza Ali Abbasi

Pakistan

Bring forth the Revolution!

I'm Happy When You're Happy

Omer Khalid Anwar for Beyond Sanity Publishing

Review of Psychaotic by W.R. Watkins

W.R. Watkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Where to begin with this book?

Well, for starters: this book is brilliant.

It is a rarity for me to find a book that deals with complex issues, yet manages to execute those issues with a refreshing brutal honesty, soul, humor and vulnerability.

This, for me, perfectly sums up ‘Psychaotic’.

Ms Zahra has no trouble writing out her thoughts, and feelings, telling the reader exactly what she is feeling at the time of writing her poetry. And that is a very, very good thing! Not everyone wants to read about Daffodils…

She not only does this time and time again throughout the book, she also presents to us who she is as a human being, who has experienced love gained and lost (‘Look For Love’; ‘Remind Me’), dreams rising and falling (‘Perceptions’), self-harm (‘Drought’; ‘Roses On My Arms’; ‘Control’) and wonders about life around her (‘The False Chapters’; ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’; ‘Somewhere In A Graveyard’), talking about the mysteries of demise to the weather (‘Dear Rain,’; ‘Thunder).

On more than one occasion, she bares her soul to you, the reader. It is almost like you’re in a therapy session, with the reader as the therapist, and she is your patient (in the best kind of way!). Not only do these entries present her vulnerability (‘Petrified’; ‘The Crossroads’), but they also show her strength of character, who at one point switches from pining for her lost love (‘The Absurdity Of You’; ‘To Play A Broken Record’; ‘The Impossible Him’), to saying that it is now over for good (‘End Of Us’).

For me, the stand out poems in this book are the ones that directly reflect the writer, and her motivations for writing. One such example can be found in ‘A Way To Write’, where we meet the writer face-to-face, no mask, and learn about her motivations and inspirations for writing.

I have listed only a few of the poems that talk about the themes I have listed. There are so many stand-out poems in this book; I wish I could talk about them all! But then, that would spoil it for the next reader, so I won’t do that.

Some poets are content with hiding themselves behind complex metaphors, overuse of similes, and using other people’s names for their own personal gains. No such this will be found in ‘Psychaotic’. 

This is ‘Psychaotic’, presenting Ms Irum Zahra, and her incredible writing talent, in Black and Red.

What Is Our Mistake-Visit to Old Age Home

“I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.” Maya Anglou.

I began writing this article at 12 a.m. I didn't know how I felt about writing children abandoning their parents into this cruel world. It is sickening, yes. But it happens. When parents get old, they get cranky and they need things and they want your time and I understand that most of us feel annoyed all the time. After all, we have our social lives, our social status, our work and our free time. We love our parents no matter what.

Why Old homes then?

Why were they made if we love our parents so much?

I always wondered about these things and to be honest I never really spent more than an hour thinking about it until I met Samana. She is running an NGO without all the fancy cars and fancy events and charity concerts by the name of Josh.e.Junoon. She told me that she visited an Old home, MGQ Memorial Trust located on Murree Road, Rawalpindi. She sent some photos of the visit too.

I was stunned. To be honest. A place like that exists here? In Pakistan?

I thought EAST and PAKISTAN had that traditional love your parents and eat and sit with them and consult with them in every life decision aura.

Was I wrong?

I took more details from her. Her whole team went to that average old age home for a day and met with 24 elderly people. They were all so happy to see this much gathering, I felt as if they thought they were celebrating Eid with their families!

Hugs and love all around. They didn't even know them! But they loved them anyways.

Why? Because parents are selfless. They love all our flaws and all our wrong doings. In Pakistan, to be very blunt, our whole family system works and stands on the support of parents and their parents and our close relatives, like uncles and aunts. And this system, was working perfectly, till we, our generation started to build their lives outside our homes.

We started ignoring them, took decisions without asking them and snapping at them when they stopped us from doing something.

The pain, I saw, in the pictures… I feel as if we would all end up like that.

Alone and waiting for our children to come and laugh and play with us.

Team Josh.e.Junoon took an extended tour to know about all things in the old home. There were few blankets, no coolers for the in the summers and God did they miss home cooked food.!

They are all going there on 31st with coolers, blankets and home cooked food. Along with the most important thing: LOVE.

They are all waiting for their sons and daughters (Now very elite and socially high standard) to come and spend time with them. I wonder where they are. No, actually, I am thinking about Karma. If we are doing this to our parents, won’t our children do the same to us?

I can’t imagine living alone and unloved. Do you?

I am ashamed. As a Pakistani. And As a Muslim.

An Islamic state is supposed to have Islamic morals. Islamic rules.

Where our parents should come before anything else, and we listened and obeyed them for all the right reasons.

We need to love our parents. While we still have them. If we still feel untouched, I suggest we should look at the wrinkled cheeks and hands of these old home inhabitants.

Al they need is love and care. Nothing else. We need to be more patient with them. They are our ticket to heaven right? Then why not love them out of greed?

I salute Samana and her team Joshe.Junoon for stepping up and bringing love and attention to those, who are put aside by our own Islamic, Pakistani Nation.

For the love of God. Don’t lose your only way out of harm. They brought you here in this world and their prayers made you a socially acceptable person.

If anyone wants to contribute to the cause Samana and her team from Josh.e.Junoon has started, Please contact the Facebook page of Josh.e.Junoon.

https://www.facebook.com/junoonijazba/timeline

Article By Irum Zahra For Beyond Sanity Publishing and Josh.e.Junoon

Here are a few pictures from the visit:

Interview with *The Alternative Artist* : Adnan Ali

We promised to bring light to our Talented Pakistani gems and here is the first piece of a giant Puzzle. Adnan Ali is a 28 Years old Picasso with skills from Karachi. He is one of a kind. Let's see his deepest inspirations.

So Adnan, What’s integral to the work of an artist?

I consider an artist’s work is a direct result of what drives them, of what the artist truly values and how they sees value in the creation around them. As Erwin McManus beautifully says in his book The Artisan Soul, “Art is an interpretation of life. Art is an expression of our emotions; art is an interpretation of our experiences; art in its highest form is a mirror of life. Thus, for me, what we hold in our heads, we try to portray that on the screen. It's basically achieving what our imagination and how we fulfill that gap between the head and the screen. How perfectly we achieve to catch or make other to see through that mirror.

What role does the artist have in society?

 Learn to create peace and harmony. Art piece is simply not for entertainment it is also to broaden the perspective of life’s viewer.

 How has your practice change over time?

Yes, my practice has altered over time. Many flaws and weakness are recovered now. I see my today’s art work more detailed and more substantial than the previous work. Gradually we start shaping up in whatever we are practicing.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Haha..!! There are lots of but I remember the one clearly me and my younger sister use to watch wrestling, one day we plan to try it out at home so we climb up to the closet and jump from it to the mattress and I guess what we forgot it got springs in it, ha-ha you can imagine what had happened we both bounced, my sister bounced on the floor and I was stuck with the wall.

Who’s your favorite artist?

My favorite artists and inspiration is my master by whom I learned a lot and keep on learning is Saad Irfan, he is the most gifted person I come across his art and knowledge about is like a deep sea, Anas Riasat, Jibran Nasir, Shahan zaidi whose work are really my favorite and internationally I just love Dave Rapoza his work is marvelous he's my biggest inspiration.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

Well, yes whenever we meet people some left their imprints on our mind and some of them we hardly remember, teachers are the assets of a nation whose work is worth appreciating they unleashed our generation with the knowledge. I have seen my elder teaching and transferring whatever the artistic creation and knowledge they have to the coming generation which really inspires me and I also want to share my knowledge with the world whatever I have learned.

Why art?

Art develops a willingness to explore what has not existed before. Art is the definition of what is hidden in our head. Through art one can show what he/she just can't define.

What is an artistic outlook on life?

  We are connected to each other with some mean. Everything is like little parts of a machine/cell working together to a destination. We are incomplete if any of the characters is missing. We are completing each other without recognizing it.

What do you like about your work?

 In my work I usually try to make things the way I assume them, making each of them with a different perspective that's what I like about my work. Trying out something fresh, each time.

Should art be funded, explain with reference to Pakistan.

Art defines culture, without culture no society exists. Each land has its own some heritage of art which depicts culture. We discover and transfer art generation to generation for which it requires funding. Art suffers in Pakistani society due to lack of knowledge and less investment. Then it definitely requires funding.

What superpower would you have and why?

Flash's superpower, To make my family, acquaintances and clients happy I have to manage time for that purpose.

Name something you love, and why. Name something you don’t love, and why.

I love to learn new things which enhance my knowledge; I always try new things as it gives me new ideas and ways. I don't appreciate the mentality that expensive gadget/ tools do wonders, no, that's your potential which does wonders nothing else.

 What is your dream project?

Yes my dream is to work on a project with the team of “Steambot” studio.

Where are you finding ideas for your work these days?

 Now days I take ideas and inspiration from movies and games and also from my favorite artists.

What's the first artwork you ever sold? LOL..!! In childhood I use to watch one TV show “Beavis and Butt head” so I use to draw its cartoon. One of my cousin also use to like that show when he saw that cartoon he asked me, I said “NO” then he said give it in 15 Rupees. I made the deal and that was my first artwork I ever sold. Ha-ha.

Thank you so much Adnan, We hope to see so much more of your work in the future!

Here are a few:

My Personal Favorite: Marilyn Manson

Adnan Ali for Beyond Sanity Publishing

Perceptions-An Article on Our Thoughts and Feelings

Perceptions

Perception is a second word for judging something or someone by what they do, or did or are planning to do... perception is to believe that a person would behave exactly how you imagine he/she would and it’s not even unethical it is completely justified by our actions. We think and do what is right because our heart tells us to. We don’t think for a second how that would affect anyone else. All what matters is; what we think. What we perceive. Everyone sees things in their own way. The meaning of perception varies from person to person. For a writer, perception is everything. They would judge things in a manner no one would. Because they create art. They are artists. Just as everyone is of their own lives. We all decide to paint our lives differently. Some with sin others with morals…

Perception is also that false hope, which ruins our faith, which makes us insecure and which makes us trapped in the idea that love doesn't exist… And there is no salvation. There is no one for us. And even if there is, we don’t see it that way. We continue to linger in our negative imagination our false hopes and dreams and then we turn so miserable, that we don’t sleep at night.

We start to think about all the things that could happen to us, change us, make us better. But what we are doing is to build more dreams on already broken dreams. There is no building made. There is no tower of light. You’ll keep falling trying to build those up but they won’t stand a chance. You’ll lose. There goes your future-false-hope. See you make a twisted story in your head that you will eventually get past all of what holds you back from what is better and what is beautiful…riches or success or fame or power…or beauty…youth… but this all just an illusion. Daydream. It’s a lullaby you use to sleep at night… you keep on imagining things to happen in the most amazing ways anyone could think of. And everything looks so beautiful and perfect till you fall asleep. When you wake up the next morning, you’re the same person who wants a dead black coffee because know you have to live another day on this planet full of morons.

Why can’t it all come true? Because you only imagine yourself doing it. You don’t actually do anything about it. Nothing. You wake up you have breakfast, you spend the day complaining and listen to everyone complaining about everything happening to them …you lay in your bed and then you start to build that fallen fort again. I dare you. One day, don’t build it. Don’t think about anything. Don’t start the illusion. Don’t imagine anything. See if you dream anything different. See if you dream about killing someone. Killing someone you hate. No wait, that would be a nightmare since we’re all so goddamn ethical.

We all do that. Judge. Hypocrisy will be the death of us all. And quite frankly, we love being hypocrites. It’s a day to day game of pretend-you-like-someone-you-want-to throw-acid-at. We are such good actors. Acting as if morals and rules are so perfect and we are so good and model citizens because we pay our taxes. The whole world is filled with people who kill people in their minds just for the heck of it. And then they visit their churches their mosques…their cathedrals…false hopes and false beliefs. They all hide under them. Hide their faces and what they truly are. They know. They know it so very well that they are animals who have learnt to perceive things the way they want them to be.

Irum Zahra, Psychaotic

Ariel by Irum Zahra

My Dear Ariel

I was there when you were born

Red and little, so fragile

So beautiful

You were my angel

And my companion

My pillar of hope

And all that I wanted

I taught you how to ride a bicycle

And fell and broke your arm

I was sorry but you got better

And I knew no one can do you harm

One day our toys broke

And all our story books got soaked in the rain

We went to live under the sun

With glass walls around us

There were people who wanted to hurt you

And I kept all of them away

We prayed for a roof of our own

And God showed us a new way

I bought colors and pages for you

And you drew us and a cozy weather

You built new toys and I watched you play

Our walls started to grow weak

And we had to leave again

We had grown past the plants

And the kittens born in our yard

They were no longer little

They had lives of their own

I taught you how to smile

When you felt like hell inside

We made golden masks

With smiles fixed on them

We fooled everyone

Our friends and our foes

We sold all our toys

And started having fun

Day by day we lost

Every little part of us

And the masks became us

We stayed by each other

And you taught me how to stay me

I broke my walls like you broke your arm

I fixed myself too, but I was never that strong

Hush, dear rabbit

We’ll be okay

When the world crashes

And the glass walls shatter

We would still have each other

Arm in arm and it would be better

We’ll buy new toys for us

And we can’t afford them,

We’ll learn how to make them by ourselves

We’ll cry every night to sleep

And drink coffee everyday

You’ll be stronger than me

And I’ll lean on you then

When I’ll lose myself 

You can pull me from the river

We’ll stay up all night

And pray to the All Giver

I’ll always love you

As you will love me

We’ll cry together just as we laugh together

We won’t let the stones shatter our glass house

Even if they do

My dear Ariel

I’ll let no stone touch you.

Hush, dear flower

You’re my only hope in this world.

May you always find love,

In places I didn't

And may you get all your toys back

Along with your childhood

Psychaotic: See The World In Red And Black