Today we’d like to introduce you to Merima Agovic
Hi Merima, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Right before the pandemic hit, I just so happened to buy a Canon A1 35mm film camera, and so I decided to start shooting. I had no actual idea what I was doing, I just went about documenting my day to day life and supplementing my knowledge with youtube tutorials. It turned into a sort of rabbit hole that I had fallen into; seeing what people could do with film motivated me to learn my camera in and out. I remember seeing these double exposure portraits by Louis Dazy on Pinterest and thinking “You can do that?!”
As the world began opening up I started taking pictures of friends and family. I found myself getting more particular about the outfits, the locations I was shooting, and the concept and realized I love styling and directing shoots.
I even started developing film at home.
I enjoyed the challenge of getting everything exactly right, the colours of the film stock, and the overall process.
Learning about cameras and photography became an eye opening creative experience for me. I was able to take my ideas and make them into a reality.
I started sharing my work online, and made connections and friends through social media. This is how I got into photographing all sorts of people and eventually working with models through agencies and people commissioning me for shoots. I was published in my first magazine in 2022, and since then have been working on a freelance basis as a creative director and photographer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A challenge I faced was feeling like I didn’t have access to the right resources. I thought I needed certain things to be successful with my work, or make good things. That was something I’ve had to overcome. Not living in a big city can make you feel like you’re lacking resources and in turn like you don’t have what you think you need to make something impactful.
I found myself constantly moving the goal posts I set for myself, and comparing my experience to other creators. It can be really easy to feel like you always need something, and that what you’re doing isn’t enough. That can be really discouraging, and it doesn’t do yourself any favours. Thats why it’s important to celebrate the small wins, and remind yourself that you do, actually, have everything you need at any given point in time.
Use what you have, be creative, experiment, compare only to your past work. Those reminders kept me going in times of serious self doubt where I was overthinking my purpose and feeling truly lost. It’s okay to make things because you like them. It’s okay to be learning. Don’t let your own high expectations of yourself hold you back from making your work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve seen my work described as looking like ‘something out of an indie movie from the ’80s or ’90s,’ which I think is pretty cool. I’m definitely inspired by movies—being around friends who are passionate about filmmaking has taught me so much about storytelling and the work that goes into things behind-the-scenes.
One thing I’m most proud of is how refined my process has become over the years through lots of practice, which has really built my confidence. What sets my work apart is that it has this dreamy, nostalgic quality, thats combined with a more modern and progressive edge—it’s become my signature vibe. I’ve had people tell me that my ‘female gaze’ comes through in the way I capture things, which I will take as a compliment.
My background as a first-generation daughter of immigrants/refugees has deeply influenced the way I see the world and how I approach my work. It has given me a unique perspective and the ability to have discernment in my artwork. That, along with my love for film and editorial fashion photography, creates this artistic, candid vibe that I think resonates with people. I also think my passion for the esoteric and my love of social justice subtly influences my photography, giving it layers of depth that registers and connects with people on a subconscious level.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as a feeling of peace and security.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.merimaamirem.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merima.amirem/
