Woman Crush Wednesday: Tami Aftab
Up and Down the Stairs © Tami Aftab
By Dani Martin
What influenced your series “The Dog’s in the Car”?
The Dog’s in the Car is influenced by the nuances of Dad’s behaviours and mannerisms in his day to day life. The project initially began as a video project, where I recorded conversations between our family that highlighted his memory loss. But what we found was that Dad’s humorous and touching remarks were what interested both us and others. So we restarted the project photographically with this sense of comic relief and removal of taboo at its core.
Balance © Tami Aftab
The Dog's in the Car © Tami Aftab
How do you compose your portrait shots? What is that process like?
I tend to start with an idea, before a composition. For example Up and Down the Stairs began with a conversation with Dad, talking about how to describe his short term memory loss to others. He mentioned it’s that feeling when you walk upstairs, and you forget entirely what you went up there for, but it’s happening multiple times an hour. We then thought about how we could visualise that, and Dad struck this powerful pose which I thought deserved to have it’s own stage.
Turn the Oven Off © Tami Aftab
What sentiments or emotions do you try to capture through your subject’s body language and expressions?
The main sentiments I want to capture through my subject’s are feelings of care, warmth, humour, joy, and freedom.
Describe your creative process in one word.
Collaborative.
Midsummer © Tami Aftab
Prohibited Touch © Tami Aftab
If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?
It would probably be yoga! I’ve never taught it before, but it’s been a constant form of self-kindness throughout the difficulties of the past year.
What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?
If Beale Street Could Talk. Particularly the intimacy and care highlighted in the film, alongside the beautiful colours and compositions!
Untitled © Tami Aftab
What is the most played song in your music library?
So Good at Being in Trouble, Unknown Mortal Orchestra
How do you take your coffee?
Black no sugar, if at home. Or an oat flat white if I fancy a treat!
Untitled © Tami Aftab
The Scar © Tami Aftab
