My message would be that I spread positivity and kindness to the world. It is vital to spread kindness especially during these last couple of years, as a whole we have been through a lot of hardships and sad stories of loss. We definitely need more of it.
Rays of Sunshine is Vivd
Amira Hassan: Tell our readers your artistic background.
Mariam Mohamed: I have always had a keen interest in aesthetics ever since I was a teen. I remember dressing up and creating scenarios of me being the main character of many different roles. My interest in art intentionally started from fashion before I became interested in photography. I never used to think about art nor I found it intriguing, the initial change of attitude happened in 2015 I became a fan of many content creators on Vine, when Vine was a thing back then lol, I always loved seeing how people expressed their creative side through comedy, and somehow gradually it changed a curiosity towards their fashion sense. Then, when I finished high school I got seriously bored spending long hours watching hundreds of fashion tv programs, fashion runways and the making of several high-end fashion brands. This loop of boredom allowed me to become creative and to start incorporating fashion with photography. After that, Photography became my way to relieve stress from all the academic pressure. It was refreshing to walk around capturing moments.
2. How did you come across your creative side?
I guess it’s just came to me without trying too hard to find my creativity. It honestly started with
me enjoying documenting moments of my life. I never sought to be creative nor to present
myself as a creative person. I am just a person who’s very in tune with their emotions, I enjoy
long walks and documenting my feelings at a particular moment.
3. Why have you chosen this aesthetic theme for your Instagram page?
Honestly, I have gone through many themes and creations before deciding on my current theme. I
first started with black and white photography and it somehow changed into shots of nature, especially flowers. I’ve noticed that I have always been fascinated by Architecture in regard to the structure and the shapes of buildings. So, I’ve ended up following this aesthetic theme of taking shots of buildings around my house.
4. What is the message you want to spread in the creative world?
I feel like I am still in the beginning of my journey as a photographer, I still have a long way to go
in order to become a storyteller through visuals. I have always been a kind person and I would
love to continue to spread kindness and warmth through my shots. So, my message would be
that I spread positivity and kindness to the world. It is vital to spread kindness especially during
these last couple of years, as a whole we have been through a lot of hardships and sad stories
of loss. We definitely need more of it.
5. Can you share your creative process in making your photo catalog and captions?
The process begins by taking a walk around the block or whenever I find a chance from my
schedule to take photography shots. During Covid19 I had more time on my hands and I wanted to capture those feelings I had and translate them in some way creatively. I enjoy observing people’s
energy and their body language during my long walks, which helps me to come up with ideas for my own shoots sometimes. I consider myself simple and upfront with how I express myself and I truly value transparency, which results in my shots being clear and understandable for the viewer. I also love flowers and nature which is always included in my photography. Then, during the same year I opened my own Instagram account of black and white photography. That move helped me in learning to become more of a storyteller than a photographer. After that, I always make sure that I can uplift someone’s mood by sharing a positive quote at the end with my shots.
6. Your captions are always inspirational, full of poetry and music lyrics. How do you research your rays of sunshine?
Thank you for these beautiful words. I am always fueled with positivity and the energy of people around me as well as seeing beautiful visuals created by artists I admire. It always energizes me and pushes me to create more shots. Honestly, the captions come from my own understandings and I love to share my own personal experiences in my captions whether it be from poetry or music lyrics I relate to. I always try to maintain a small part of my content inspirational with pockets of positivity in it.
7. What value would you like to amplify in this world through the rays of sunshine on
your page?
I think it would be about spreading happiness and positivity. I’ve always been a cheerful person
who sees the world in rainbows and sunshine lol, I just can’t help it. So I would love to see a
more gentle and kinder world for us all and also, spreading a sense of comfort and warmth through my photography for the people viewing my page.
8. What social media creator would you like to meet or collaborate with in the future? and
how does their content inspire you?
I would definitely choose my two favorite content creators Amina @Aminaisnotokay and
@omarfarooq. Amina is literally my twin. We share quite the same personality weirdly enough.
Her content always puts a smile on my face and I am LITERALLY obsessed with her storytelling
and how she explains her day for us. Also, I relate to her a lot that weirdly enough I feel like it’s
me talking. The way she gives me energy and happiness through her Youtube videos. But for
Omar Farooq is a Youtuber and filmmaker who has an adventurous soul and loves storytelling
which are two things I also love and relate with his content. I also love his passion to share
positive energy with the world and spreading kindness through his insanely creative storytelling.
Omar is someone I will have the honor to meet soon inshallah and I feel you could have a
genuine conversation with him about his travel experiences because we share the similar
values and the passion for storytelling through visuals.
9. Share with us the most beautiful testimonial you’ve got from your audience that touched
your heart deeply and added valuable insight?
“Hello, I am one of your biggest fans I wish I was as optimistic as you, confident and
ambitious mashallah “
I had a follower from Morocco who sent me a message last year that she’s a fan of mine
and she seeks inspiration in life from me. First, that message made me so emotional because
when I started this account I never thought that someone would see it in this way, nor I had any
expectation that it might influence someone, especially from a different part of the world. That’s the beauty of social media and creating a virtual connection. And until now those words have affected me. I
always remember her words whenever I create something and it always pushes me to create a
positive content. I am someone who thrives on people’s positive energy and this message has
always been a fuel to continue for the best.
Follow her on Social Media
Raven Lens – Instagram
Rays of Sunshine – July 2023
Editor Amira Hassan introduce a new interview series on the uncoiled magazine website about a collection of instagram pages that have added an immense cultural value to our daily lives, they have added rays of sunshine in our intellectual mind with daily posts about inspiring poets, artists, photographers and writers. They enriched our world with quotes from heartfelt classic movies, from Breathless in French new wave films, to Studio Ghibli beautiful and colorful movies. We would like to give the spotlight to these personalities whose work is most valuable in the social media world, and their creative endeavors deserve recognition and appraisal.
