SELECTED WORKS

DYNAMIC DESI

Overview: Dynamic Desi is a photo series on millennial South Asian Americans who balance distinctive histories, identities, cultures, and beliefs every day. Instead of fitting into a singular narrative provided in the American context, the desis captured below exist in multiple realms. They are ethereal, yet grounded. They are resourceful, yet golden. They are city-dwellers, yet remind you of home.

Process: My SPICY teammate Nikki Freyermuth and I both wanted to express our experiences growing up as a South Asian American through other women living in a similar reality. We created the concept and theme for this shoot, and found three models who all live as desi, millenial, women in urban settings who are breaking their own generational curses. Their names are Meenakshi Parashar, Fabliha Anbar, and Tahia Islam. I produced the shoot, Nikki and I both designed the set and styled the models, and Nikki shot and edited the photos.

Results: Dynamic Desi was the first visual project I produced for SPICY, and it had a spread in our first zine, 001.