Photographer Spotlight: Amani Sodiq

Photography studios are an integral part of any creative community. They provide creatives with the tools, freedom, and space to work on their visions and ultimately bring them to life. When we were opening Brightside Studios, one of the things we looked forward to most was offering Dallas photographers and videographers a space to create without limitations and become a part of Dallas’ vibrant and creative community. Fast forward to today, and we’ve seen our dreams become a reality. We not only provide a space for creatives but also actively participate in their artistic process. Witnessing how these creatives transform the studio and utilize its different elements to bring their visions to life is truly inspiring. The creatives who utilize our studio space are the backbone of our community, and we are launching this spotlight series to celebrate their work.

Our Photographer Spotlight Series holds a special place in our hearts as we highlight various photographers who have used our space.

To kick off this series, we interviewed Amani Sodiq, a Nigerian-American photographer specializing in editorial and portrait photography, about her most recent shoot at Brightside Studios.

What was the vision behind this shoot?

In this shoot, I wanted to explore the theme of “intimacy” and capture the essence of bare and natural moments. The concept was built around the idea of acknowledging the beauty in simply existing. I wanted the models’ beauty to shine without any excessive makeup and celebrate their authenticity and sense of contentment with themselves.  I also wanted to experiment with colorful and artistic makeup, using the models' faces as a canvas to express how they felt on the inside.

What is your favorite type of content to shoot?

I love shooting portraits, editorial and fashion that have a sense of warmth and intimacy to them. I’m drawn to images that are up close and personal with the face of the subject being the most interesting thing in a frame (I just really love faces). It feels like I’m inviting viewers into the personal and private lives of my subject - an invitation to get curious about the subject and learn about them. 

Model: Kennen Dickens

What are you known for? What makes your style unique?

I've asked my friends and family this question a lot to see if their perceptions of my work align with my own perceptions of my work. My friends, family, and I can all agree that I'm known for portraits that focus solely on my subjects and their emotions. My work features extreme close-ups of my subjects, and my subjects always have an emotion on their face. Those emotions can range from big, beautiful laughter to melancholic eyes.

For my photography style, I prefer soft and broad lighting. I find it intimate and flattering, and I love to show people off as their most natural and beautiful self. I believe this style is unique because it has a warmth, intimacy and authenticity you don’t see to much of online anymore.

Can you share with us one of the best pieces of advice you’ve received as a creative?

The best piece of advice I've received is that you need to talk to and surround yourself with people who are already doing what you want to do and succeeding in it. I took this advice to heart a while ago, and it's definitely one of the biggest factors contributing to my success as a photographer. They have knowledge they can share, along with tips and tricks, and mistakes to avoid.

It's incredible how much you can learn by simply engaging in conversations with experienced individuals. Their insights have not only helped me develop my technical and business skills but have also provided me with a deeper understanding of the industry itself. They can also serve as sources of motivation and inspiration, reminding me that if they did it, so can I.

Model: Anyier K

What did you like most about the studio?

For my style of photography, it’s important to have lots of white walls and white ceilings. I love soft and broad light as it allows for a more gentle, tender and flattering look to my photos. White walls and white ceilings allow for my light to be extra diffused and I’m obsessed with the look it creates. Brightside Studios made it easy to create this look.

The huge island in the kitchenette space was the perfect spot for me to set up a crafty table filled with snacks for my models and crew. It was a game changer and we enjoyed hanging out around it during our breaks.

Model: Blake G

How can we connect with you?

I have a blog on my website that tells the stories behind some of my favorite shoots! If you want to read it, it’s a great way to see how my shoots are driven by experiences and emotions. It’s called Behind The Lens! You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter under @queen_incendi, and Tik Tok under @photoswithAmani.

We had a great time getting to know more about Amani and we loved the images she created in our space. If you’re looking to bring your photoshoot to life in our studio, head over to our scheduling page or shoot us an email at info@brightsidestudios.com