In this interview, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the visionary photographer Oumayma Ben Tanfous. Known for her captivating compositions and unique perspective, Oumayma takes us on a journey through her artistic process, inspirations, and the stories behind her mesmerizing photographs. Join us as we uncover the insights and creative world of Oumayma Ben Tanfous.
First off, your work is a showcase of life, beauty and imperfection. What do these elements mean to you personally?
“I find beauty in imperfections. And like many artists I’m often inspired by what’s going on in my personal life to create art.”
How would you say your works represent you as a person?
“I like what my agency wrote about me — somewhere between documentary and fashion, the imperfect becomes perfect. It describes pretty accurately my work and my vision. I find beauty everywhere, especially in the rawest, imperfect things. Photography has always been the way I express my sensitivity and I think you can tell that by looking at my personal projects.”
In general, what has shaped you the most in becoming an artist?
“What has shaped me, is probably my surroundings and where I grew up. Between Tunisia and Montreal. I spent all my adolescence in the Montreal suburbs, surrounded by immigrants like me, who were trying to find their place in a foreign country. And then, as a female I fought to build my career in a predominantly male industry. I feel like I’ve always been an outcast everywhere I went and that feeling might have shaped me the most.”
How would you describe your creative journey throughout the years?
“My creative journey has evolved a lot throughout the years. The projects keep becoming bigger and I get the chance to work with people I never could have imagined possible. With experience, I find myself becoming more confident in my vision and my capacity to create unique images in my own style.”
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome so far as an artist?
“The biggest challenge would be the fact that I try to have a personal style and add my personal touch to every project that I do, even the most commercial ones. That has been a long struggle for me. But I have to say I’m always seeking new challenges — to improve myself and to learn. I want to direct more, I want to explore storytelling more and create even more authentic work. Next year, I’ll be facing another big challenge: my book.”
Lastly, if you could change one thing about the world at the moment, what would it be?
“Where to start? You can get easily lost in all of the noise — your phone, social media, the city you live in. People should take more time to listen to themselves and their own needs, without constantly being influenced by their surroundings. So I would say, more authenticity, and probably less everything else.”
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