This week, Emirates Woman speaks to Alicja Zalewska, a fashion & still life photographer represented by MMG, a leading talent agency in Dubai. Based between London and Dubai, Alicja has worked across and lensed for numerous prestigious luxury fashion publications. Here, she shares her career journey and a game-changing advice that kickstarted her career.
Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
What was your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subjects were art: drawing, painting and geography. It was always about creativity and discovering the world. I think that reflects who I am now.
What was your first job?
It was a bartender job in a small club bar in my home country, Poland. I was 18 and had just started my fine arts studies at University, where I had to support myself financially. It was a very quirky place with good music, where I was surrounded by DJs, artists, actors, and many other cool people.
What eventually brought you to Dubai?
For a few years, I have watched the creative market in the Middle East and how dynamic it has become. I thought it would be exciting to try something new and look for opportunities outside of the UK. Early this year, I came to Dubai for a shoot, and I also met with MMG Artists, who took me under their wings and now represent me in Dubai and London. I visit Dubai regularly not only for work but also for good energy and sun.
What inspired you to become a photographer and specialise in fashion?
I’ve met with photography in my fine art studies; it was one of my subjects, and I have loved it ever since. It was about capturing a moment, character, beauty, place or mood. Shooting on film back then creates that excitement when you wait to develop the negatives to discover what you captured. I could express so much with a still image, showing vision through my lens and bringing attention to details many people would not notice. After Uni, I moved to London, and it was just my hobby for a couple of years until I decided to become a professional.
I’ve always had a strong interest in fashion, and London was the perfect place where I could grow my career. I think that only fashion photography allowed me to be limitless with ideas and creative possibilities. I was inspired by photographers such as Tim Walker, Paolo Roversi, Helmut Newton, and Juergen Teller, but also by my favourite designers, such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Vivian Westwood, and many, many more.
My first steps in fashion photography were doing tests for major model agencies in London, where I received very good responses, which motivated me to reach out for more.
What are the key elements of your role as a photographer?
Beyond the technical knowledge of photography, being a good communicator, whether within a creative team, client, or agency, is crucial. This includes keeping calm and positive energy while working under pressure, thinking fast, and navigating the people you work with. I approach each project with the same effort, whether I shoot a test for free or a campaign for a big client. I constantly learn something new or look out for solutions if I don’t know. This industry has so much to offer that I must keep up with the progress, fashion trends and retouching techniques. I use social media to be updated on what is happening in the industry and connect with other creatives. It is very easy to get burned out in my profession, so maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential. I find time to rewind, look for inspiration, and meet with other creatives outside the work environment.
Talk us through your daily routine.
My job is very complex, and every day is different. It could be a busy day on set shooting, retouching and handling clients, planning photoshoots, creating mood boards and pitching, admin work, maintaining the equipment, or a day on a plane travelling to destinations. Personally, I like the constantly changing environment and variety, but that requires exceptional organisational skills and self-motivation.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
There are many. But mainly, be patient! Things don’t happen overnight…Perfect your craft as a photographer, you don’t need a ton of equipment at the beginning to create striking images; learn to work with the camera and one lens, explore natural light and slowly build up. Network-use social media such as IG or LinkedIn to connect with people who are in the creative industry. Be brave, experiment, and find your identity. Be passionate and, above all, be kind to people!! Very importantly, don’t compare yourself to other artists or photographers; each journey is unique and individual. Work with people who are more experienced than you and learn from them. Stay open-minded.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
In the early days, when I was assisting a well-established fashion photographer, he told me something that sticks with me to this day… ” It’s all about how much you want it…”
To succeed, you must genuinely love what you do and sometimes find determination against the odds. It’s not an easy job; it’s a lifestyle you choose.
Tell us more about the services you offer.
I work across fashion, beauty and still life as a photographer. Each one of those categories I can divide as editorial and commercial. Editorial shoots for magazines allow me to bring more of my inside into the story; I can experiment here and show my identity. Commercial work such as campaigns, online content, e-commerce or advertising is focused on recreating my client’s vision in the best possible way. I art direct many of my projects, from the concept and shooting to post-production. I also retouch most of my work; however, if I’m swamped, I support myself with the help of my proven retouches. A big chunk of my work involves shooting jewellery. It’s a particular, technically advanced area that requires tremendous attention to detail. My spectrum of services is quite broad, but each is a bit different, so I never get bored.
What are the milestones you’re most proud of?
The past few years have been quite tricky for many creatives. The world’s economic situation greatly impacted the creative industry, but even though I managed to make significant steps toward my goals and work with many high-end clients and magazines. Being signed by the agency MMG Artists this year was a milestone I’m proud of, and I believe it’s just the beginning of our relationship.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
There was a time when my career depended on other people who undervalued me and pushed my confidence to the edge. I found myself in a vulnerable place as a professional and an artist. It was difficult to walk away from something I put so much of my hard work and dedication into, but it was necessary. Overcoming that cost me a lot of mental effort and self-motivation. I found the strength to move away from that toxic environment, and now, looking back, I see the positive in this. From that moment, my career took a new path; I surrounded myself with people who truly believed in me and my skills and respected my work. Many doors have opened for me since then…
What are your goals for the future as a photographer ?
I would love to work with many artists, magazines, and brands I haven’t worked with yet. I travel a lot, and in the past, I visited many incredible places where I would like to return with my camera and creative team for a shoot. I’m always full of ideas and have plenty of mood boards that I would like to bring to life. Although I have lots of experience behind me as a photographer, I’m excited for more to come to live my full potential. I want to inspire other women photographers to follow their dreams, as there are not enough women’s voices in this industry.
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Images: Supplied
