Arabic-American photographer Ceriena Khzouz has something to show to the world through photography.
For Ceriena, photography is the best way of unfolding stories without using words.
Ceriena Khzouz is a brilliant 25-year-old female creative artist, and photographer. Growing up in Detroit Michigan, Ceriena has always lived by the inspiration from the innovation that comes with diversity. She is a second generation Arab-American, whose family immigrated from Jordan in the mid 1960’s. While it has been a core part of her story. She tells Unusual Newsletter, “I believe the more we learn about ourselves and the world, we can impact those around us in powerful ways.”
Prior to when she began a photography career, her mother told her from a young age how she was an observant child. In her words, “I was always watching everything and everyone with my eyes wide open. I think that has not gone away as I have grown,” she said. “Growing up, I would often carry out projects. Whether academic or artistic, I would take the risk of adding my own twist. I never liked to follow the rules. I’ve always enjoyed thinking outside the box, coming from a homogeneous town — it was the only way I could escape,” she added. Visual art through photographic expression has become such a vital channel for Khzouz to create something that conveys a clear message.
Her journey into photography began unconventionally— being a naturally creative person, she thought that a candid way of exploring photography was becoming Director of Photography for her sorority. Snapping pictures enhanced her creative abilities— curating candid photos of friends and the girls in the sorority house during charity events, and downtime capturing moments of people enjoying their formative college years.
She believes that it was a better method of stretching her creative muscle. “From there I began to learn more about photography and the craft. I joined the fashion club at university and began to participate in photoshoots and fashion shows,” she explained. “The next four years, I spent exploring commercial photography, portrait, fashion and street photography in London,” She concluded.
For Ceriena, photography is the best way of unfolding stories without using words. She often lacks the words to describe the feeling which the art invokes in her. She genuinely tells Unusual Newsletter that, “Photography is the best way for me to express my creativity when I lack the right words, or I want to showcase something in my brain that is intangible.” She revealed that living in London is a photographer’s playground, while the city has a huge influence on her craft and career process… her nature of photography intersects between things that shouldn’t go together as she believes that those things resemble the wider idea surrounding life and its spontaneity.
In concluding our chat this past weekend, she affirmed strongly on the increasing growth of the creative landscape in where she is from in Detroit, Michigan –where iconic industrial sounds of techno were born. As Detroit is the birthplace of techno, there has been more of an effort to make that known in the city, with new clubs emerging and resident DJ’s growing in scale and popularity. She feels that in the next 5 years Detroit will be the spot to be in for emerging designers and musicians – tapping into that industrial sound and the hearty personality of Detroiters. For creators growing in that space, she highlights that, “It’s okay to be unconventional, but do it in your own way. Identify what you like and put your own twist to it. We don’t always have to do things that fit the invisible box of what’s trendy or considered cool. Growing creatively is a slow journey, focus on what makes you unique and continue to refine it.”
So far, in her five year career run, she’s outlined a couple of creators and brands she’s making amazing records within the industry. The likes of Hansel, the founder of Revelation 22. Who is the famed Ghanaian singer, Eugy’s stylist. British jeweler, Percy Graham, Lyric Mariah, model who has made the rounds via numerous magazines and has modeled for brands like Tala and Fenty.
Khzouz also faithfully affirmed that in the next five years for her career she would love to work with several prominent Arabic designers and brands that challenge the stereotypes around Middle Eastern culture.