A look through the lens at the life of a DPhil student and photographer

Growing up, I was captivated by the magic of photographs – their ability to tell stories, capture a moment in time, and offer a glimpse of how someone else views the world. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and grew up in a small town an hour from Toronto, Canada. Whenever I would visit local museums and galleries in my town, I found myself drawn to the photography exhibits. I would reflect about the photographer behind the lens of each image. What caught the photographer’s eye in this moment? How do they perceive the world? I would ask myself questions: Why did the photographer take a deliberate moment to capture this image? What emotion are they trying to convey? Is the emotion I am feeling similar to what the photographer or other viewers might feel? I was equally curious about the setting of the photograph – the architecture, lighting, and geography – and the stories each of these elements revealed.

During high school, I worked part-time jobs to help save for university. I was also able to put some money aside to buy my first “professional” camera, a modest entry-level model. As I honed my technical skills and gradually expanded my collection of lenses and equipment, photography became more than just a hobby for me. Photography became a mirror for me to reflect on my evolving perspective, helping me understand what I gravitated toward, and the stories I wanted to share with others through my images. 

The first time I visited Oxford was for my DPhil, after I had completed undergraduate studies and the majority of medical school. As the demands of my education increased, particularly during the intense clinical rotations of my MD, my time for photography waned. Yet, arriving in Oxford rekindled my passion. The architecture, dynamic atmosphere, and ever-shifting light invited me back behind the lens. Exploring Oxford through photography allowed me to reflect on my surroundings and connect with the stories I wanted to tell. Photography also became a way for me to maintain balance with the rigour of my DPhil work.

My time at Oxford has been very dynamic. I completed a fellowship at Harvard, was the instructor for the “Medicine and Surgery” course at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, completed an MBA, and frequently travelled for conferences. I also got engaged and married during my DPhil, spending time in Newfoundland, Canada – where my partner’s family resides. Each new place I travelled became a canvas for my photography, from the historic architecture of Fenway Park in Boston to the red sand dunes of Saudi Arabia, and elegant coastlines and rugged icebergs of Newfoundland. More recently, photography has become a way for me to document life at home – moments with my husband and our cat – a personal diary etched in the lights and shadows of photos. 

Photography has also become a way for me to slow down, and be present in the moment without getting swept away in the noise around me. A few of my photographs were even published in Vogue, an exciting milestone for me, having grown up flipping through its glossy pages. I was pleasantly surprised when they accepted my work, as much of it focuses on architecture and landscapes. It reminded me that, regardless of the subject, the emotions a photograph evokes can transcend genres. 

As I continue to build my portfolio, I remain grateful for the space Oxford has afforded me to nurture this passion. Photography allows me to not only share my perspective and stories with others, but also to ground myself in the present and see the beauty in stillness. In this way, photography has become a creative extension of how I experience and appreciate life.