Hakeem James Hausley Documents Modern City Life

Welcome to Hero of the Week, an ongoing series sharing stories from some of the best photographers in the Pexels community.

We've loved Hakeem James' photography here at Pexels ever since he took home one of the prizes in the 2019 Pexelspalooza challenge!

Shooting mostly with Moment lenses on his iPhone, he's also a fan of film photography, with an eye for finding surprising details in everyday street scenes.

Located in Singapore, Hakeem James is a junior landscape architect, and does freelance photography, videography, and graphic design too. We asked him about the backstory behind his enigmatic photo work.

Pexels: How long have you been taking photos, and how did you get started?

Hakeem James: My passion for photography started as a kid when I used to mess around with my dad’s film and digital cameras, taking random photos of practically anything and not really putting much thought into it, haha.

I probably started taking it “seriously”, or more aptly put, cultivated a commitment to it, when I got my very own camera back in 2010 (it was a Canon PowerShot) to document my travels.

What camera gear do you use?

I currently do not own a digital camera, but I’ve been taking photos with my iPhone 11 Pro Max with Moment lenses and a couple of film cameras such as the Olympus XA2, XA1, and Canon Ftb. I was a Sony owner though (A7, RX100 series).

What's your favorite type of photo to shoot, and why?

Street photography. Because I love to travel and document different cultures, people, moments, and spaces that I find unique or intriguing.

What inspires your photography?

I guess the way I got into photography (shooting random stuff) kind of inspired my style now? I'm basically still doing just that, but with more thought and experience put into it.

Tell us about a favorite photo or video on your Pexels profile. Why is this one your favorite?

This is my favorite photo on my profile because it reminds me of the experience I had exploring the ancient ruins of Cambodia, It was really cool.

I also love how the scene gives the photo a timeless essence.

Who are some other photographers or artists who inspire your work?

I am inspired by Joel Meyerowitz and Bill Cunningham’s work, and also Brain Alcazar’s (@1st) street photography work.

What is one goal you have for your photography?

My goal is to document my experiences through photography, share it with others in hopes to inspire them, and look back at my photos in the future. See how significantly the world has changed since then.

Pexels Heroes is our invite-only community of the top photographers on Pexels. Find out more and apply to join here.