KAMILYA ISSALIYEVA
КАМИЛЯ ИСАЛИЕВА
カミルヤ・イサリエワ
كاميليا إيسالييفا
Born and raised in West Kazakhstan, Kamilya Issaliyeva graduated from New York University Abu Dhabi with a double major in Political Science and Film & New Media. Her passion for storytelling began in a small Kazakh cassette store, where she spent countless hours immersed in films from around the world, cultivating her fascination with cinematography and narrative artistry.
Starting her creative journey in conceptual and fashion photography, Kamilya later transitioned to filmmaking, honing her craft as an Art Director and Line Producer for independent films at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Tisch. Alongside her creative pursuits, she explored questions of nationalism, identity, and globalization through the lens of both the social sciences and the arts.
Kamilya later earned an MSc in Sustainability and Transformation from University College Dublin, equipping her to address critical global challenges. Today, she works with human rights due diligence in global supply chains, tackling issues like labor rights, sustainability, and ethical sourcing in fashion. Her work reflects her commitment to fostering systemic change and amplifying marginalized voices.
Despite her focus on sustainability and human rights, Kamilya remains deeply connected to the transformative power of visual storytelling. She continues to see art as a vital advocacy tool and an avenue for exploring untold narratives. Open to collaborations across diverse artistic projects, Kamilya bridges her expertise in global systems with her creative passions, inviting new opportunities to tell stories that matter.
On Photography
I use photography as a medium to capture fragments and fleeting glimpses of the world that spark excitement and curiosity within me. Through my lens, I embark on a journey of exploration—seeking to uncover hidden aspects of human nature and draw attention to details that others might overlook. This practice deepens my engagement with the world around me, encouraging a more conscious and mindful connection to the present. My goal is to create visuals that draw viewers into the now.
Focusing on the simplicity of objects and the details they reveal invites us to pause, grounding us in the present moment—free from worries about the future or regrets of the past. For me, photography is more than a means of storytelling; it is a form of meditation. It is a way to appreciate the beauty of the ordinary and the complexity beneath the surface.
My choice of subjects stems from a fascination with themes of beauty, identity, human power dynamics, and emotional states. I am drawn to the interplay of shadows and the contrast of light and dark, using them to shape my compositions and evoke a mood of nostalgia and introspection. The changing light of day becomes a collaborator in creating imagery that invites reflection and emotional resonance.
Recently, I have expanded my practice to include street and landscape photography, observing how seemingly mundane scenes reveal profound insights about the relationship between space and objects. These works capture the quiet narratives unfolding in our everyday environments, offering a window into the subtle interplay between human presence and the world around us.