The Phenomenal fearless Photographer
Name
Diyala
Profession
Photographer
Website
Living in
Lucerne
We met Diyala through our dear friend and Doyenne Nina a couple of months ago. We were instantly smitten by her. She is the kindest soul you'll meet and has such a bubbly personality. If you didn't know better, you'd never know that she lost her hearing as a young child and only understands you by reading your lips. We are in awe of her and impressed by everything she continues to juggle and accomplish. Despite her hearing condition, she's going for it all and just recently opened her own studio and works now full time as a photographer.
We love Diyala's can-do mentality, her creative mind, her curious nature, her intelligence, determination and drive. Fasten your seatbelts, cause you are in for a ride. She's something! And we are proud to introduce you to Diyala today!
You are an amazing photographer, how did you get into photography?
As a child, I was always very creative. I drew a lot. In my gap year I took some design classes and one focus had been photography. I realized then and there that I had to get a camera. From then on, I studied everything about photography, taught myself everything I know now and developed my own style.
What do you love most about being a photographer? What do you find most challenging?
Through my work as a photographer I get to meet so many interesting people. I love capturing emotions, moments and the beauty in people. Photography offers so much creativity and it opens up a completely new perspective in my everyday life. With photography there is always a lot to learn. The most difficult thing for me is to visualize a form and creation and the execution to achieve exactly what I want. It takes a lot of practice and patience.
You are very creative. Where do you find inspiration?
Meeting new people always inspires me. But I also get inspired at work, in different places and travelling around the world. This kind of refreshes my ideas and also helps me to remember, what exactly it is that I want to achieve.
Who is your favorite photographer and why?
Peter Lindbergh - I love the authenticity in his pictures. His unique vision shows women in their naturalness. He makes simple and meaningful portraits of women who radiate strength, self-confidence, independence and beauty - less is more.
When you were a little girl, you lost most of your hearing. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey??
I was a child when I became deaf due to an inflammation of the middle ear. I wear the cochlea implant on the left side and the hearing aid on the right side. When I started kindergarten, I spoke with my hands only (sign language). I could not master spoken language and there was no development - that's the reason why my doctors and my parents decided that a regular school from the first grade on would be the better option for me. It was a big change and definitely not the best time of my life. This experience as a child has shaped me into the person I am today.
How do people react when they learn about your hearing condition?
People are often intimidated. They often think that we can't speak or aren't as smart - I always have to assert myself and prove that I am not much different from them. Society must give us more opportunities; in the professional world as well as in everyday life. I'd love to see more more openness and less prejudice.
Quick Questions
Zodiac sign: Leo
Favorite mantra: You are unstoppable
Ultimate happy fix: A trip to Paris and eat chouquettes in Bastille.
How to unwind after a long day at work: Netflix and wine.
Can’t live without: Batteries for my hearing aid, Family & Friends.
Most used emojis: 🥰❤️✨
Perfect food day, where and what would you eat? Kurdish food from my mother's kitchen.
Mornings or evenings? Evenings!