From Kabul to Covers: The Power of Owning Your Cultural Contributions

Why ignoring your own cultural contributions is an act of selfishness. A breakdown of feeling stressed to share my own win, the first Afghan to capture the cover of a Vanity Fair, etc...

I was speaking with my cousin’s wife last week and I congratulated her on an accomplishment. She has a healthy-cookie company and was recently featured in a new TV series about entrepreneurs. It’s a great accomplishment!

At the same time she said, “Congratulations on getting the Vanity Fair cover, Walid!” - in that moment I felt comfortable enough saying “Thank you! It’s weird knowing that I’m the first-ever Afghan to photograph major magazine covers like Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone Magazine”

Mom, sister, me (in Rome, Italy 1 month after escaping Afghanistan)

And then here’s what happened next…She looked at me with a surprise look on her face and said, “Really Walid?… That’s amazing! Why aren’t you telling people about that?”

She’s right. Why am I hiding this? Is it because I’m just too humble? Is it because I am ashamed of it? Or is it that I’ve been taught to keep it quiet, work hard and assume others will know. Honestly, it’s a bit of all.

The “Humble” Jerk Isn’t So Humble

Sometimes when you’re too humble it’s because of ego. Most of the time, you’ll play humble because deep-down it’s your ego that’s in play. You actually think that you’re better than others in your field. And because of that reason you’ll play small to make sure others don’t feel badly about their pictures, videos, etc… You don’t want to hurt their feelings because they haven’t been able to do what you’ve done.

It’s not a kind act once you’ve considered it from this new perspective. It’s an act of pity upon others. Gross. Who even said that your work is better than anyone else’s? Who gets to decide this?

Vanity Fair Cover by Walid Azami

Do you see how playing humble is actually built off of having an ego issue? It’s not that you don’t think enough of yourself, it’s that you think too much of yourself and less of others. That can turn anyone into a “humble” jerk.

Instead, acknowledge the accomplishment and their compliment. It’s more honest and you’re not gaslighting the person complimenting you.

The Attention Is Too Much?

Then there’s another scope. The attention is too much. The likes and comments on social media, my parents awkwardly announcing it at a family gathering or my friends saying “do you know who he just photographed?” - all of it is too much. I picked up my camera because I wanted to create art, not seek attention. It’s uncomfortable, similar to everyone at the restaurant singing happy birthday to me.

Yet, that’s a good-problem. Most days in my career isn’t celebration. Most days are lonely, confusing, and self-doubting. Most days, I wonder if I made the right decision or why it is that nothing else makes me happy - besides creating? So, if my mom says “Walid photographed this magazine” and then holds it up, it’s really not so terrible. It’s a really kind break from the usual. And because my mom did that, my two uncles and aunt know about my accomplishment.

Vanity Fair by Walid Azami

That adds to their wins in life, because what I’ve been able to accomplish is because of my family. If my mother and father get to boast about my win, that validates everything they’ve gone through. How selfish of me to take that away from anyone else who contributed to the win.

I come from a nation of war, and it’s abundantly selfish of me to take that away from Afghan culture. I was born in Kabul. I was raised in an all-afghan family. I grew up on Afghan music, food, and culture. I treat my clients like gold, because of what my parents taught me as a standard that is familial and traditional to where we come from. How dare I take this win away from my culture that raised me. It’s selfish and self-serving of me to not celebrate my win.

The universe must see wins to deliver more wins.

People Will Take Credit for Your Work

Then there is the other issue that deals directly with ego. Ego isn’t a terrible thing, it’s a natural part of the human essence. And you must honor it because it’s real.

Do you know who takes credit the fastest? It’s the people who didn’t accomplish anything, the con-artists and charlatans. They love to slap a label on themselves and take credit for something they’ve never worked a day for.

Here’s an example of a “photographer” that has taken my work. He was hired has a behind the scenes photographer. He was not the director of the music video. I was. He was not the photographer for the album package, that was Terrell Mullin. He was hired to capture the behind the scenes. The funny thing is, I remember saying “Chris, make sure you don’t claim this as your own lighting and concept. It’s a Walid Azami visual” and he of course promised not to.

Did he push the button? Yes, but the rules of the BTS photographer is to show the BTS. It’s storytelling about the main shoot, which must include crew and gear. I noticed through out the day that he was sneaking primary shots and I had to call him out on it. Now with generative Ai and some photoshop, he’s taken everyone out and made it seem like Tamar Braxton posed for him. No, Tamar Braxton posed for me. The lighting, that’s mine. The outfit option, that’s Ashely the stylist and it was approved by me. The backdrop? That was picked up by my production assistant and picked out by me.

Do you see what I mean by the con artists and charlatans? THIS is an example of how it’s done. They play it vague enough, but to the unassuming viewer, it looks like it’s their work. It’s my lighting, my concept, my art direction stolen by this clown. THIS is why you must brag about your

My concept, my lighting, my posing, my direction, the art direction of Alex Telson. The clown claiming credit did nothing for this image but steal the shot and credit.

work. This is why you must take credit because clowns like this claim my hard work as their own. It’s a dirty industry, filled with dirty unqualified people. I love having my own blog because you can bring the receipts!

My concept, my direction, my art dept, my styling approval, my lighting, my setup form A-Z but this clown took credit for it. These are the thieves you should watch out for and these thieves are why you should take credit for your work.

If you don’t claim your hard work, then someone else will claim it as their own. Proudly plant your flag and let people know what you’ve done! That stops the frauds from actually taking credit for your work.

Wait… so I admit, ego is a part of the equation and not all ego is bad. Ego is only bad when it’s used to put others down. This isn’t that. This is protecting what’s mine.

The Permission Slip

Many people need to see a familiar face because it’s a permission slip for them. It’s the permission to reach further, dream bigger and want more.

Representation matters. In fact, it’s selfish to not take credit, because you’re actually holding people back. There are those who need to see someone that looks like them to feel comfortable enough to do it themselves. It’s the permission they need.

Sometimes people didn’t come up in a family that pushes them, to take crazy chances, etc… so they need to say “I want to be like _________” - and that’s ok!

So yes, I am the first Afghan photographer to shoot the covers of major magazines like Vanity Fair Magazine. I’m the first to be nominated for a music video of the year at a major awards show.

I’ll take it because I earned it.
I’ll take it becauseI want other black/brown people to win also.
Ill take it because representation matters.
I’ll take it because of my hard work, the sacrifice and hard work my parents gave me, and I’ll take it for my culture.

I hope to see many other Afghans prosper in the arts world!