Why I Was Told To Bleach My Skin – Brand Photographer Maira Sheikh

Hello, and welcome to The Engaging Marketeer podcast! Today’s episode is a special one, hosted by Emily from Engage Web, who is stepping in for our usual host, Darren Jamieson.

Emily is joined by the talented Maira Sheikh of Myra Photography, who shares her insights on personal brand photography, her journey as a business owner, and the powerful stories that have shaped her mission. Maira’s experiences span across multiple countries, industries and life challenges, which makes for a truly inspiring conversation. So, let’s dive into this engaging discussion!

Emily: Hello everyone and welcome to The Engaging Marketeer podcast. First of all, before we begin, I’d like to address the elephant in the room. If you’re listening, you’ll probably hear, and if you’re watching, you’ll probably see, that I am not Darren! Today, The Engaging Marketeer is being taken over by me, Emily, from Engage Web. I am thrilled to be joined by the lovely Maira of Maira Sheikh Photography. Hi Maira, how are you today?

Maira: Hi Emily! That was such a fantastic introduction. I loved it. I’m doing well, thank you. How are you?

Emily: I’m good, thank you! Would you like to start by telling everyone a little bit about what you do?

Maira: Of course! I am a personal brand photographer based in Cheshire, and I primarily work with women in business, especially those in the service-based industry. My goal is to help them feel more confident in front of the camera. I use brand photography as a tool to help them become more visible in their marketing, which in turn helps them attract more clients.

Emily: That’s brilliant! Let’s go back to the beginning. How did you get into what you do now?

Maira: Great question! It’s quite a journey. I’ve always loved travelling, and while living in Dubai, I travelled across the Middle East and Far East. That’s when I picked up my first DSLR camera. It started as a hobby, taking photos of beautiful places, but it quickly turned into an obsession. When I had my daughter, I wanted to capture every moment of her life, which led me to newborn and family photography. After moving to England, I initially started a business called House of Ethics, focusing on ethically sourced products. Through this, I discovered the power of brand photography, and that’s when I realised I could help other small businesses improve their visibility through visual storytelling. So, I began offering brand photography as a service, and here we are!

Emily: That’s an incredible journey! I noticed you mentioned a background as a sustainability consultant. How did you transition from that to photography?

Maira: It’s another story altogether! I’m originally from Pakistan, and after a massive earthquake in Kashmir in 2005, I was inspired to learn more about the environmental impacts of climate change. This led me to a master’s degree in sustainability, and I worked in that field in London, Dubai, and Doha. It was an amazing experience, but after getting married and starting a family, I wanted more flexibility, which photography offered. It allowed me to juggle both work and family, doing shoots between school runs, which wouldn’t have been possible in my previous career.

Emily: You mentioned earlier that you work mainly with women. What would you say are the biggest challenges you help them overcome?

Maira: The biggest challenge is definitely helping them to feel confident and visible in their business. Many women, especially those transitioning from corporate roles or starting their own ventures after having children, struggle with putting themselves out there. There’s a lot of self-consciousness, fear of rejection, and imposter syndrome that holds them back. My role is to show them that their purpose and passion should be bigger than their fear. If they can focus on the ‘why’ behind what they do, they’ll find the courage to step in front of the camera and be seen.

Emily: That’s so empowering. What does a typical brand shoot with you involve?

Maira: A brand shoot is much more than just taking pictures. It starts with understanding the client’s brand—what makes them unique, who their target audience is, and what message they want to convey. We then develop themes for the shoot that align with their brand identity. For example, if a client wants to come across as approachable and friendly, we’ll include behind-the-scenes shots of them working, interacting with clients, and even celebrating their business milestones. It’s all about telling a story that resonates with their audience.

Emily: That sounds amazing! Could you share one of your most memorable challenges from your first year in business?

Maira: Walking into my first networking meeting here in the UK was a big challenge. I had no business connections, no network, and I was stepping into a room as a woman of colour, with an accent, in a predominantly white business environment. Walking into that first networking meeting, I felt different…

But I realised the biggest thing standing in my way was my own self-doubt

It wasn’t just about getting people to see me as a professional; it was also about overcoming my own internalised insecurities. But looking back, I’m proud of how I pushed through those challenges.

Emily: You’ve been incredibly open about some deeply personal experiences, and I know they play a big part in your journey. Could you tell us a bit more about that?

Maira: Sure. Growing up in Pakistan, I faced a lot of colourism. There’s this belief that fairer skin is more desirable, which is a leftover colonial mindset. I was given bleaching creams as a child, and there were always comments about my complexion. These experiences made me self-conscious for a long time, but they also fuelled my mission. I want to help women feel comfortable in their skin, to know that they are enough just as they are. It’s why I’m passionate about helping women show up confidently and authentically.

Emily: That’s so powerful, Maira. And what would you say to someone who’s nervous about getting their photo taken?

Maira: I’d say start by focusing on your purpose—why you do what you do. Let that guide you, not your fear. And remember, the camera doesn’t just capture your face; it captures your energy, your passion, and your story. Plus, I make it a point to build a relationship with my clients. By the time they’re in front of my camera, we’re friends, and that makes a huge difference. We laugh, we chat, and that comfort translates into beautiful, natural photos.

Conclusion:

This episode of The Engaging Marketeer has given us a beautiful glimpse into Maira Sheikh’s journey. From battling personal insecurities to building a successful brand photography business, Maira’s story is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the importance of believing in oneself. Her mission to empower women, particularly those who have struggled to find their place, is truly inspiring. We hope you found her insights as enlightening and motivational as we did. Thank you so much for joining us, Maira, and thank you to all our listeners. Until next time!

 

Connect with Maira:

Website: https://www.mairasheikh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mairaazharphotography/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arisha5338/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maira-sheikh-2314a117/

 

About Emily:

Emily is no stranger to the world of online content. By the age of just 14, a novel she wrote on the story-writing website Wattpad had amassed more than a million views!

Straight out of university with a First in English Literature and History, Emily’s cheery persona and quick thinking have served her well in customer service roles with several retailers, but she got her break in the world of publishing thanks to a work experience role with Penguin Books. Emily joined Engage Web as a Content Editor, before moving into a Digital Marketing Executive role, and today, she brings an enthusiasm and eye for detail to her role as Digital Marketing Manager at Engage Web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-jones-b73392228/

Team Profile: https://www.engageweb.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/emily-jones

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