An interview with Toronto based photographer, M-mode 2020 Finalist & Canadian Architect Award of Excellence 2020 winner, Salina Kassam

“I approach my photography, telling stories, of process, of development, a metaphor for the evolution of the building of a building. My approach with architectural photography is to be able to let the photographs tell a story, create a narrative, and articulate a process.”

Salina Kassam is an architectural photographer having studied documentary photography at the International Centre for Photography (NYC) and Architectural photography at Ryerson University (Toronto).

She spent the early part of her career travelling with her husband to remote areas in India and Africa to capture stories of the work of local and global NGOs including Medicines Sans Frontieres. These were moving experiences and deepened her appreciation for all the things we take for granted here living in the first world.

She hopes to be able to give back in a more significant way one day in her life. Her current approach to photography marries these two genres: with storytelling at the heart of capturing an architectural project.

She has a special interest in telling stories of how buildings are created, the phase of development/construction that articulates the process.

She is currently working on creating the visual journal of the historic Massey Hall Revitalization in Toronto, an original art deco music hall known and dear to the music community in Canada.

Salina's work has recently received the following accolades - Canadian Architect Award of Excellence 2020, M-Mode Creative finalist 2020 and ARCHITIZER finalists in 2021.

Hi Salina , I hope all is safe and well with you and many thanks for taking the time to share with our community.

Can I congratulate you on a superb portfolio, I love your work and a belated congratulations on your M-mode Finalist 2020 nomination.

Thank you Pete! It’s an honor to be featured on your site.

The honour is all ours!

Let's start with the here and now. Can you tell us what has been keeping you occupied recently throughout 2020 and what your plans for 2021?

Like most, 2020 has forced us to slow down and reflect. For me, this time catalyzed the long time goal I had of taking my photography to an elevated level. Though a challenging and uncertain time to put my foot to the pedal, I felt confident that it was time for me to take my photography to the next level.

I was committed to building my business and building my portfolio while reaching out to start expanding my network. This has been a big leap for me, otherwise shy, hiding behind the camera, this has been a shift outside my comfort zone.

I am hopeful that 2021 brings me opportunities to do more work through the connections I have made with really talented designers and architects.

Well you’re doing great so far. I know that feeling, I’m always behind the camera and hate having my photo taken.

Where do you see the future of photography heading, not only in our genre but as a whole?

I am not sure where the future of photograph is heading. Our world is over saturated with digital imagery, and we ourselves have brief attention spans. There is so much great work out there, but I think it often doesn’t get the opportunity to be appreciated for it’s worth only because of the volume and speed of over information in our society.

I think the future of photography will be in the ability to create something unexpected, maybe something raw and a return to a simple form of photography, film maybe? Something not so over cosmeticized, where digital photography is sometimes over edited.

I agree, I feel that it is incredibly difficult to create something visually different and define your own style where someone hasn’t tread before.

Could you define your ethos in a bit more detail.

My photography started like most photographers began as a childhood hobby. For me, it was printmaking in a rudimentary darkroom in my parents’ basement. I loved the tactile qualities of a fibre print that I had made, and I loved the process of seeing it develop before my eyes and in my hands.

Similarly, I think this is how I approach my photography, telling stories, of process, of development, a metaphor for the evolution of the building of a building. My approach with architectural photography is to be able to let the photographs tell a story, create a narrative, and articulate a process.

I know that some architects desire that the photographs represent the elevation drawings, but I encourage them to allow the photographer to use his or her own lens, a subjective one, to interpret the mood, shapes and proportions of a building. This is where the magic is.

I have similar memories of childhood as my grandmother was an exceptional photographer and my brother and I spent many an hour with her in her darkroom. There was something so magical about waiting for the image to appear.

I have a very good friend of mine who lives in Toronto and an incredible interior and architectural scene you have there? Is this where do you do most of your work?

I work in Canada. I recently heard that Toronto has the greatest number of cranes per square kilometre than any other city in north America. This is promising for the growth of the city, and the beautiful buildings being so artfully created.

Designers are getting more expressive with more unique ways to finish interiors and pushing the current boundaries. This is exciting, and I hope to see and photograph more of it!

It is a wonderful city, I loved it when I was there.

As a photography community we love a bit of gear talk, could you tell us what equipment you have in your bag and enlighten those who aren't familiar a little bit more about your process.

I have 2 canon 5D bodies and use mostly my 24mm lens.

I also use a 17mm TS and 24 mm TS and always keep a 50mm for detail shots. My 70-222mm lens works wonders for architectural details! Also, in my kit is a carbon fibre tripod and remote shutter cable.

Nice and light, ideal for being on the move!

Do you feel that you're happy with the work you produce or do you suffer from 'Imposter Syndrome'? (This is something I've been discussing with others recently and I'm not alone...)

I think imposter syndrome is normal for any creative to have. I used to suffer a lot, and it actually worked to help me refine my technical skills, and now I think I am moving a bit away from that and gaining more confidence.

I think all photographers must stop comparing their images to each other’s. They are their own interpretation, their own creation and this is what they should take pride in. It is the uniqueness of each of us behind the lens that allows us to see the same spaces differently and the goal should be to share that experience through the images we create.

I also think that architects should allow different photographers to experience and illustrate their images, so that they are more than merely a real life and static representation mimicking the building elevation sketches.

I think there is also a lot of motivation behind my own work to raise my standard each day, it is nice to hear your thoughts on the matter.

As my own personal work progresses, I look around at others work and see so much incredible work. Do you have any advice for keeping motivated and pushing yourself forward?

The process of seeing a space, feeling it and moving through it is an experience in itself that keeps me motivated.

A small movement of the camera provides a different visual experience, and this exploration in itself keeps me going with the curiosity of discovery, adventure.

Where do you draw your inspiration from and how do you go about creating your stylised look?

I am inspired by architecture and sculptures, basically anything three dimensional. I see and seek the way light plays on objects, to create shadows, reflections and gives shape and depth to how it is perceived. Textures and juxtaposition of different eras of architectural styles are fascinating.

I love the different eras of architecture and find the history so fascinating. Like a great photograph, these buildings can be a snapshot into our past.

Do you have a favourite thing you like to shoot and why?

I am particularly drawn to photographing construction. The process of building architecture is so often overlooked, and hidden from the stories of buildings in the mainstream.

I think it is now gaining more popularity as it should. It is the backstory of the architecture, the human, the machinery, the landscape the materials and engineering that come together in harmony to create a building, step by step... these are the stories I like to tell, a documentary of the evolution/or gestation of a piece of architecture and landscape.

What would say the highlight of your career would be to this point?

In 2020, I received the Canadian Architect Photo Award of Excellence. This was an unexpected surprise and reminded me to always trust my instincts, as the image I decided to submit speaks to my approach and my preferred (unpopular) subject matter!

The publicity allowed me to strengthen my portfolio and articulate my style to potential clients. (I was also one of 10 finalist of M.Mode creative!! In 2020)

A huge congratulations to all you have achieved in 2020. We wish you all the continued success in 2021.

Do you have any favourite photographers that inspire you and anyone you think we should be keeping an eye out for?

I am inspired by the work of Ema Peter for her ability to humanize her photographs. I also love the work of Simone Bossi, who is almost at the other end of the spectrum, and uses shadows, lines and textures to articulate an impression of a space in strong and simple ways.

The work of Canadian duo, Doublespace photography, is also beautiful and technically solid; beautiful.

I’m a huge fan of Ema’s, I’m not sure she would have the time to come and talk with us…but you never know.

How have you found getting work recently….

Getting work has been a challenge for me as I am still not well published, not well known. Also, Toronto is dominated by male photographers, some who worked as architects in their previous lives. I hope that my approach brings a bit of a fresh perspective, one that can articulate the visions of the architect while allowing partnering and sharing of impressions to create the most evocative photographs of a building and interior. So far, word of mouth and referrals have worked for me. Besides being an expert at the craft, so it is critical to always live your values, integrity, dependability. Reputation is your biggest asset.

Lastly, what has been your favourite takeaway in all the lockdowns?

The lockdowns are temporary and have allowed us to reflect on our practise. I think that slowing things down, brings much to the surface in terms of where our heart lies, and for photography, you need a lot of love to be successful! The lockdown has allowed me to become more comfortable with social media and putting myself out there; a place farther than I was a year ago, and I just want to keep going...

A big thanks to Salina for giving up her time this week for her takeover and spending a bit of time discussing her career to date.

If you’d like to see more of Salina’s portfolio clink on the following links - Website - Instagram