As my Art Director and I are set and ready out to go for our routine coffee brunch – we opt for our default choice ‘ Starbucks’. Due to the pandemic restrictions being lifted our favorite nook has been filled up by so many students, which they all look like a swarm of bees sitting in an apiary. We had no other choice but to try something new so we cross the streets and g o the new café that opened. Little did I know that that decision would turn my whole life 180°.

WE FOUND HIM!! Our missing piece to the puzzle, Arslan. As we sit and sip on what I found to be the most delicious white mochas – Cansel and I engross ourselves in a conversation; on the outside might have seemed like on a deep conversation but, in reality, my whole attention was on this entity that seemed to have been levitating back and forth on the café as he was hired to produce a video for their online platforms. Cansel (Art Director) which never seizes an opportunity summons him and he joined us.

We clicked! The rest is history – fast-forward to a month later – I offer to photograph him and make some new updates to his social media presence. Being slightly calculative and generally used to being behind the camera like myself - Arslan accepted my request – but was a bit worried whether he would be able to pose in front of the camera as he had not done so professionally for a long time. I told him to leave it to me and that he would be in good hands.

Arslan usually wears a cap and glasses – the videographer/photographer attire. I wanted to strip all that out for this shoot. I told him - No glasses! No hat! Cut your hair bald! And you will transform in who you have always been. He did exactly so, and I got him to dress up in various solid yet striking colours – of military green and jet blacks with pure whites. It contrasted so well with his features – that I am even starting to consider putting a good word in for him to start modelling.

Arslan was a joy to photograph and seeing him step out of his comfort zone made this whole experience truly worthwhile. Look below and see how he commanded the lens.