#it’s mainly just inspo for when i feel unmotivated

[mirrormirrormag]

shine theory spotlight: hiba alshahal

I first started talking to Hiba after I slid in her DMs partly because I wanted to be and her friend and also because I was jealous of how cool her style and photography was (in a good way). A couple months later, we finally met in person for a photo shoot she wanted to do. Since then, she’s continued to use her perspective to capture beautiful and sassy portraits featuring her bold style and voice.

We recently hung out so I could shoot a photography project from school and took the opportunity to take pictures with my phone as well. So what else could I do with pictures of someone as cool as Hiba? Interview her, of course.

Hopefully this will be the first of many posts featuring some cool, multi-faceted, and intelligent girls I know, but for now enjoy this spotlight on HIBA ALSHAHAL (@hibach.i)

ST: What medium of art do you mainly work in?

HA: photography

ST: What drew you to photography?

HA: After downloading the app VSCO i become really inspired to get into photo and editing but growing i've always been drawn to photography

ST: Who inspires you in your work?

HA: My family is my biggest inspiration always. It's just so inspiring being a first generation immigrant and hearing the stories of my family making something out of nothing. If they could come to America barely knowing any English and being able to grind hard for their family and achieve their dreams than I can achieve so much. 

ST: What are some of the projects that you’re most proud of?

HA: A project I'm definitely most proud of is my first real shoot which was with a photographer named Kyle Meeks who helped guide me through the process but also I think i'm most proud of the times when I shoot when I don't necessarily want to or when I feel super unmotivated. Taking pictures when you're in that energy is one of the hardest and most frustrating things but it helps you grow as a photographer a lot.

ST: How has your fashion been influenced by your identity?

HA: I think my fashion represents my identity because its constantly changing all the time 

ST: Who are some of your fashion icons?

HA: Haha my dad. A true legend tbh. No but for real my dad was actually the person who really got me into fashion. I remember when I was little staying up really late with him on school nights just talking about shoes and new pieces dropping. My dad also just rocks everything he wears with confidence and that definitely inspired me. But other than that I don't really have a main fashion inspo I just like to spend hours looking through a bunch of people on pinterest and instagram and steal inspo from anything I like.

ST: In what ways is your fashion political?

HA: Well at my school im known for wearing very controversial shirts which can be uncomfortable but I find so much power in being able to stand with your opinions 

ST: In what ways have you used your voice for the better or made your voice heard?

HA: I hosted a protest for the corruption in Lebanon! One of the scariest and most exciting things I have ever done. I would never expect for someone with my power to do that so for me to get my voice heard by so many people was super important to me

ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

HA: I could not see myself doing something that doesn't  get me creative and inspired everyday so probably somewhere in fashion or photography but also i'm really interested in the justice system and wanna stay active in politics. It would be ideal if I could find something where I'm able to stay active in both my design and political sides. 

ST: What kind of message do you want to make with your art?

HA: I think the biggest message I want to get across is the importance of being yourself. I know that sounds cliche but it's something I struggled with a lot growing up and still sometimes struggle with now.

ST: What are some challenges you’ve gone through in your efforts in creating art?

HA: My biggest challenge is comparing myself to other creators and finding inspiration

ST: How have you overcome them?

HA: Listening to new music and watching movies/shows always gets me excited and surrounding myself with new people/ environments too. Also just making sure that I force myself to get out and shoot helps a lot

ST: In what ways has confidence/security in your identity shaped the way you approach art?

HA: Confidence I think is what makes everyone's work different and unique and through the years you can see the change in my photography as my confidence grew. In middle school I remember doing exactly what everyone else was doing and not just in my art but in the way I dressed and acted too which was such a boring way of living compared to everything I do now. I'm still growing as an artist but my confidence with my self helps me try so many new things.