Shahfaq Shahbaz

What made you choose Solent?

After going to college in Milton Keynes, I visited Solent on an open day. I loved the modern feel of the building; I wanted to attend a university that didn’t feel old or worn out. I also liked the sound of the course – it felt like an actual fashion and art school!

Tell us about life at Solent

I loved everything about my uni experience. I met some amazing lifelong friends and made some unforgettable memories, which we still talk about today.

I enjoyed every aspect of living away from home as it helped me grow and mature as a person. I became even more confident living with friends, while also respecting boundaries due to my religious beliefs. I had a lot of fun!

How did Solent support you during your studies?

I was diagnosed with a low level of dyslexia at college, and Solent helped with my studies. I was given a laptop that made taking notes in lectures and seminars easier, as well as additional financial support.

And my lecturers were very helpful, especially when it came to my final major project and dissertation. I felt like they really guided me and told me what I needed to do to achieve the best grades. Every lecturer made it clear that they wanted to help me as much as possible.

My studies helped me work out what path I wanted to follow, whether it was as a stylist, artist, art director, creative director or photographer.

Can you tell us about your career so far?

I took the leap into full-time freelancing three years ago. I found my photography niche during my first year as a full-time freelance fashion and commercial photographer, and since then I have worked with brands and companies including ASOS, Dishoom, ITV and Nike, and at events like London Fashion Week. I’ve worked on a shoot in Greece, and I have a billboard coming out for the modest activewear brand, Haya Active. I’ve also had the opportunity to assist on a project for The Telegraph with Kate Winslet, and my work has appeared in Guap Magazine, Hypebeast, and Who What Wear.

In 2025 I won the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain award, which displayed my work on digital screens and billboards across the UK. I’ve also given talks at University of the Arts London and had a solo exhibition in Walthamstow.

My photography style is a blend of culture, youth, diversity and colour. I focus on visual storytelling and enjoy putting people of an ethnic minority at the centre of my work.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

As a freelancer, my day includes a lot of pitching; every month, I reach out to a lot of brands, companies and ad agencies with my updated portfolio. If I’m not at a shoot, then I’m either editing, pitching, attending meetings with potential clients… or assisting other photographers, so I can gain more knowledge on studio lighting and creating personal projects, as these are often the main reason clients book you.

My goal for this year is to attend more networking events. I live outside of London, so it’s always been more difficult making industry connections; I’m hoping to get to know more people and land bigger and better opportunities this way.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on creating more personal projects. I spent my first year building my portfolio to attract clients, and in my second year I started to get work. I’m hoping to create more impactful work dedicated to ethnic minority people, and I have been thinking of working with Iqra Ismail – a Muslim, Somali hijab-wearing football coach who has had a major impact on female athletes who are Muslim.