INTRODUCTION

Hey, I’m Mariam – but you can call me Maarzai.

That name? It’s a little piece of my heart — a blend of mine and my mum’s name, Zainab. She’s my favourite person in the world and a huge part of who I am.

I’m a 23-year-old Egyptian-born, West London-raised photographer with a big love for capturing stories through my lens. Photography has been part of my life since I was young, and what started as a fun hobby turned into something much bigger. I went on to study it for three years at the University of Roehampton (yep, most of that during the COVID-19 pandemic!), and in my final year, I exhibited one of my personal projects, ‘A Woman’s Identity’ at both the Roehampton and Free Range exhibitions. Definitely one of my proudest moments.

The first time I held a DSLR, I was 16. It felt intimidating and professional — a world away from snapping photos on my phone — but something about it just clicked. At 18, I bought my very first camera and dove headfirst into learning and experimenting, making the most of the university’s photography facilities. It gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, try new techniques, and discover what truly speaks to me as an artist.

Coming from a big Egyptian family, I naturally became the photographer of the family — I’m the one everyone turns to for pictures. They love it. Me being in the photos though? Not so much!

MY STYLE

I’m all about the real moments — the little in-between glances, laughs, and details that you don’t always notice in the moment, but tell such a beautiful story. There’s something so powerful in capturing people just as they are, in the most natural, pure and honest way. That’s where my heart lies.

My editing style usually leans towards clean and natural — nothing too heavy, just enhancing what’s already beautiful. But every now and then, I like to switch things up and make my images really stand out. Whether that’s playing with bold tones, different textures, or creative edits, I enjoy experimenting and pushing my boundaries. I see it all as part of the journey — always learning, evolving, and discovering the style that truly reflects me and my creative voice.

I also have a big love for Fashion and Street photography. There’s something exciting about finding hidden angles, little pockets of beauty in the everyday, and bringing out the unique energy and style of the people I photograph. What I value most in these shoots is building a sense of trust with the people I work with, so they feel comfortable, confident, and seen.