Meet Rakim(ism). The artistic and dapper photographer from Jacksonville, Florida. His Instagram profile states ‘lifestyle photographer’ and ‘creative director’. Rightfully so, because his work and his style reflects that. Also, add curator to his sheet. He’s the chief of Just Because Jax.
Enjoy his work below and follow his pages for updates on his moves. Cheers.
Whose work has influenced you most?
There’s a plethora of photographers in Jax alone that have greatly inspired me while watching their transformations and visions and voices grow stronger. Without forgetting to mention all of their influences, I’d have to collectively say Malc here in Jax, FL. He has been a silent movie to me playing way back since I made an Instagram. A person that may not say more than 20 words in one meeting but you look through his portfolio and if you really study them and let them tell their stories so to speak, you’ve literally held a conversation with the Man behind them. That is what great centered work should do for you before you even announce yourself at the exhibit I feel like, it should forever speak for you. I’m going on a passionate tangent but yes, he’s one of the many here that Im influenced by through artistry.
What do you like most about being a photographer? Why?
Connecting with all walks of life through mirror image is really cool to me because a verbal conversation doesn’t have to be initiated for me to capture what you’re saying or what I have to say. I can paint it. And also to connect stories from the past to my present to what I look forward to, to ultimately paint a reality that isn’t apparent right in front of you, is one of my favorite things about carrying a camera or seeing a vision.
What is your influence/inspiration for taking pictures?
Feelings, memories, and imagination deeply inspire me to photograph. I see visuals in my mind that haven’t happened yet, Places I’ve been and places I haven’t but traveled to while in a deep emotional state.
What project(s) are you working on…or would like to work on.
That’s a heavy question *lol* but the kind of questions that I like. For so long I’ve been wanting to really express my imagination and creativity on a larger scale in my work aside from fulfilling client work. I’ve been planning conceptual shoots for quite a while and I’ve made the time to tackle them lightly but I want whole productions. Three projects I’m really taking my time with currently in the midst of this pandemic is an interactive exhibit showcasing my conceptualized work alongside another photographer here in Jax ( @shawtyeb ) whose work has also inspired me to keep ascending. Also, a few styled shoots blending the artistry of some outside creative art form mediums, as well as some very deep visuals that stem from a soulful place in my memories.
