S4 E42: Catching Up with photojournalist Khadija Farah

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[00:00:00] Khadija: it gives me so much joy to see other people thriving and like, I don't know, like it sometimes makes me really emotional. when I see like my friends winning, and I like go out, like get their magazines and I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm holding your work in my hands right now.

[00:00:18] so I mean, I think I enjoy that more than anything. It's good when you win, but like when other people win as well, it's the best 

[00:00:30] Yulia: Welcome to the genius women podcast. I'm your host, Yulia, Denisyuk, an award-winning travel photographer and writer with work in some incredible publications like National Geographic, AFAR magazine and more. And this year you see my name in places like Conde Nast Traveler. I'm on a mission to help other women who want to grow their trouble, storytelling, careers, go after their dreams while feeling supported, worthy, and bold. If you're ready to ditch your fear and doubts to the side, step into your brilliance and take action on your dreams. You're in the right place. Let's go. 

[00:01:08] Our podcast has turned one-year-old last month. And in that time we've reached 10,000 downloads and counting to celebrate. We're bringing back some of our most beloved guests for a check-in to see what's changed for them. And what has stayed the same. We're starting the celebration with a conversation I recently had on Instagram live with Kenya based photojournalist.

[00:01:32] Kanika was a guest on the very first season of our podcast. And in that episode, we talked about the highs and lows of being a freelancer. And we'll link to that episode in the show notes. So you can take a listen to it as well. Cause he had this to say. 

[00:01:50] Khadija: most of us want to uplift each other anyway. my view is that there's honestly enough space for everybody. So it's not, I don't really view people who ask me questions as like competition or anything. Photographers are very protective of like our craft and I'm just like, what is the point of existing if you don't get to share your gifts or your skills, with other people. 

[00:02:16] Yulia: In today's episode, we catch up with Khadija and learn more about how her year unfolded since then, including taking on a major photo-shoot project with a certain supermodel.

[00:02:27] I also want to remind you that this month you have the chance to access the sneak peek preview of my stories hours in action class, we're opening enrollment of the class soon. And right now you can get the first module of the class for free. When you register at geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek. Go there before Wednesday, November 24th.

[00:02:49] To get your free access. All right now, onto this episode with . 

[00:02:54] Well welcome. Uh, hi and welcome everyone who is joining us for this live, um, all this week and next week, what I'm doing is I am, checking in. The guests, the amazing guests that we had on our podcast in the past year, because this month we're celebrating a one year anniversary of our podcast actually, which is crazy that a year has passed already.

[00:03:16] Um,it's been so, so fast, was the guest, that we had on our very first season, last November. And if you guys haven't listened to the episode with her, you absolutely have to go and listen to it. I just really listened to it myself in preparation for today. And then we shared some good stuff.

[00:03:36] In that episode, we really shared the struggles of being freelance, which I'm excited to get into there. And you shared your story could be her, which is really interesting as well. So for everyone who's listening now, or who's going to listen to this later on. Be sure to check out that episode it's episode eight in our first season, a really wonderful conversation with the decals.

[00:04:00] So welcome. I'm so happy that you were able to join us today. 

[00:04:04] Khadija: Yay. I'm happy to be here. I know you're going to have to remind me, about what we talked about, because I don't like listening to my own voice. So, I don't really remember.

[00:04:15] Yulia: And that's okay because whoever is sending now, they will go and check it out, on their own. I don't want to, maybe return to the conversation we had. What I do want to do is to check in with you now and see how, how you're doing now. How has this year been for you? Right. So this never ending from them a year and all this stuff, but I don't know at least for me, it feels like we're living in some kind of Groundhog day kind of situation.

[00:04:44] You know, I know we're starting to travel more, even though the world, you know, two steps forward, three steps back kind of situation. But yeah, I'd love to hear how you're doing now a year after our conversation.

[00:04:55] Khadija: I am okay. I'm good. I'm alive. I survived. COVID um, I mean, I think this year has been very difficult for me. It's been a bit of a transition year. so. Working has kind of taken a step back and I'm sort of focusing on family things and personal things, I guess, and like working on myself and my mental skills.

[00:05:26] so that's. What I've really been up to this year. I haven't really worked that much but I'm getting back into it now. so yeah, this year has been a transition year and I hope I come out of it for, I don't know, I guess a better person, I don't know. Yes. I think last year was great for me work-wise I was thriving.

[00:05:47] but sort of personal things took a kind of, they were like at the back, you know, so yeah. This year has been Rocky, but also good. In some ways, because it's made me, confront or focus on things that I have been ignoring for a long time. so yeah, that's, that's pretty much been me 

[00:06:10] Yulia: Thank you for sharing that could be heard because we, at least in the states, right.

[00:06:15] We live in such a. Hustling mentality where it's like, I'm so busy and I'm always working and busy equals success in our mentality and in our culture and for you to come and say, you know what works to come backseat. That's like amazing that, that you said that because we need to talk about that more often.

[00:06:36] this year has been so difficult for so many laws and it has been such a year of reassessing a lot of. You know, and I love that you shared that actually, because that is really refreshing for me instead of saying, oh, you know, everything's great, I'm working this and that. And I'm so busy and doing all these things, it's like, no, you know, my priority right now is something else.

[00:06:58] Yulia: And that's amazing. I really, I really loved that. So thank you for sharing that. And I can relate to that as well. Yeah. 

[00:07:05] Khadija: Where are you at? In your life. 

[00:07:07] Yulia: Well, right now I'm injured, then I'm a numb on, and I'm here in Amman until the end of the year. I just led a group here. I had a, I had a trip, that just wrapped up and now I'm here.

[00:07:17] I'm actually studying Arabic here in Amman until the end of the year. Yeah. And you know, going back to that thing of reassessing, last year during the. I just realized that like, there was so many things that I want to do with my life that I still haven't because of, you know, because again, we have to hustle, we have to always like build our careers and busy and, 

[00:07:37] and there's such a fear of losing opportunities.

[00:07:39] If you focus on something else that I've, I've been wanting to study Arabic for a long time, but I haven't. And so. I decided, you know, as soon as I can travel, I will go and do that because now is the best time to do that. So that's sort of been my, my journey. 

[00:07:55] Khadija: Oh, I would also love to learn 

[00:07:57] Yulia: Arabic.

[00:07:58] Khadija: I mean, I know I had to read it and I can like understand just like a little bit, but yeah, I can't speak at all. 

[00:08:05] Yulia: Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah. Thank you. It's it's been really fun to, to do that. but, so, so tell me, how is, how are things in Kenya right now in Nairobi? How are things in Nairobi?

[00:08:16] Um, well, I've been here for three days, so I can't really speak on how things are, It just life is moving. Life is going on. There is no longer a curfew. so I can't say things are getting back to normal because like, what is really normal anymore. Um,yeah, but, it's after. Eight months in the U S it's honestly, it's good to be back.

[00:08:44] Khadija: So yeah, it's good to be back and I'm like, right. You dig to get going. work-wise I think as much as taking a break and like working on yourself and dedicating time to your family and whatnot, I think working is really part of my, I don't want to say it's part of my essence, but it's like something that gives me purpose sort of.

[00:09:10] and so when I'm not working, I'm like, who am I without work? 

[00:09:13] Yulia: yeah, I can relate to that, 

[00:09:14] Khadija: but I'm really. I mean, I know who I am now without work, so I'm excited to get back to get back into it. so yeah, I don't really know how Nairobi is. I haven't really ventured out of my small house bubble. but I mean, I hope it's okay.

[00:09:30] It's kind of sad because we've lost so many people this year. So there is kind of just like that specter looming. but yeah, there's like so much loss, but the world keeps moving, you know? And so you have to move with it. Yeah. That's where I am. That's yeah. That's, that's where I'm now, 

[00:09:50] Yulia: you know, there's this phrase I recently heard.

[00:09:53] I don't remember where or who said it, but it's like, the world is for the living, you know? And I love that because yeah, that's basically. We would have to keep going even the losses and all the pain that we've experienced in this year. But I wanted to ask actually, could they hug us? Cause this is something that's, a lot of people in, in my genius women community, wrangle with, or face this idea that, know, there's this pressure, at least in the travel writing side, where you have to keep, Pitching all the time and you have to keep publishing all the time.

[00:10:27] And if you don't publish all the time, you sort of disappear from the face of the earth and you lose the momentum. And it's so scary. And all of that, I have a different point of view on it lately. Like, I don't feel that way anymore. And I don't know, maybe it's because I've been in the industry for five years and it's always been like ebb and flow for me, but I don't feel that pressure that, you know, Like, I'm not afraid that I will lose the momentum basically is what I'm saying, but I'm curious how you see it now having taken this break, and now wanting to get back into it.

[00:10:57] How do you feel or think about it now? 

[00:10:59] yeah, I think as a photographer as well, you have to keep like getting published, like getting work. but I think. I've just been telling myself, like, what is meant for you? What will never miss you? So whatever work opportunities I had coming to me, well that I couldn't do because I wasn't here.

[00:11:21] I was just kind of spreading them around to like my friends and, other women that I know. Who are here and I'm like, that's yours now. So, you know, it's, I don't feel so bad, I guess. I think maybe last year I would have felt worse or the year before I would have felt worse. but honestly it's like, Gigs coming go.

[00:11:47] Khadija: And like money comes and goes and that's all relative because when you die, you're not going to go with like your publications. You know what I mean? so I know it sounds like really morbid, but yeah. I believe that whatever. The universe has written for you, you will always get, and if it's not meant for you, you won't get it and you can't dwell on things that you haven't gotten.

[00:12:12] and you can't like dwell on like, pitches that haven't worked, because either that pitch wasn't meant for that publication, or you just need to like rework. Or do something, you know, it just like, there's always a reason I have to feel, I have to believe anyway to keep my sanity, that yeah, if it doesn't work out, just keep going.

[00:12:37] Khadija: Yeah. I don't want to keep going. That's also. If you want to like, take a break from it. That's good too. but yeah, I truly believe that this industry, there's always a space for you and there's a space for everybody else as well. So if you feel like You should be getting that job.

[00:12:57] Like, you're like, oh my gosh, why wasn't I, the one hired for that, or, which is how I used to feel. Sometimes I used to be like, why am I not the one who's getting that job because I can do that work, but

[00:13:10] it wasn't yours. So, I think a different. When you feel like the industry is kind of not inclusive, there's that part of it too, where you're like, I'm not getting jobs because the industry just kind of, you know, is not inclusive as I said. but then there's that side where you feel really competitive.

[00:13:31] With other people and you're like, you see other people getting jobs or like getting published. And you're like, oh my gosh, why is that not me. but I just have to feel like I have to believe that it's not, it's not my time or it wasn't meant for me. and that's fine. 

[00:13:47] Yulia: Yeah. I love that. could you say, I really loved that you shared that because I think it's going to resonate a lot with a lot of people who are in our community and who are, who are working on their, you know, stories, their work.

[00:14:01] I believe that too, you know, and that's also why I don't feel that pressure anymore feel like the stories that I'm meant to tell, I will tell and the stories that I didn't get to tell they weren't mine, you know? And I don't know, it just, it's just such a more easy or ease, fool, more lights way to do this, you know, to be in this industry rather than just like.

[00:14:23] Yulia: Scarcity. And that's, you know, when you always compare yourself to others, it's just, oh my God, it's so hard to find when you do that, because there's always going to be somebody who's going to have more stuff that they've done, or, you know, more stories or more amazing partners or whatever, you know, there's always going to be the people like that.

[00:14:43] So it's a losing game, I think, to, start comparing yourself like that. Um, but another thing, another reason I feel less.

[00:14:52] like I don't have that scarcity mentality that I had before is because I think working on personal projects is what I'm focused on at the moment. So. Yeah, I'm trying to put like, I guess my time and my energy and like my ideas, into creating for myself. yeah. Instead of, although I do love gigs,

[00:15:16] Khadija: but yes, I do feel like first. 

[00:15:18] Yulia: Like, if you're an editor, you're an editor hire she's available. 

[00:15:23] no, really. I am very, very available. but yeah, personal projects trying to tell long-term stories instead of. No short-term months. That's kind of where I am. And so a lot of that is just like you, you have to go and, figure out, what stories you want to tell and it's all on you.

[00:15:43] Khadija: So like, you can't really blame anybody else for not. Yeah. It's not hiring you for something. So yeah, the problem with that is then you have to pitch it. Yeah, 

[00:15:54] Yulia: that's true. But I think what you said about the fact, like what I meant to say is that when you working on your personal project, like you said, you're focusing on yourself, right? And so like, shifting that focus back into yourself is just a strategy that always going to help you get out of that comparison game.

[00:16:11] Right. And just focus on you. What do you want to do? Whether it's a personal project or whether it's, you know, whether you're pitching something, just focused on you, what stories that you want to tell, who do want to work, where. You know, what do you want to create in this industry, in this work for yourself?

[00:16:26] You know, I think for me, at least that's always helped because I mean, we're all humans, right? I still compare it even today. I, you know, I go on Instagram and somebody posts something and I'm like, oh, you know, I mean, I'm happy for them, but there is still things like, oh, could I be doing that too?

[00:16:42] You know? But when you just bring that focus back into yourself and turn on me, at least for me, it helps to get out of that mentality. Yeah. So what you're going to do when it's helped. 

[00:16:52] Khadija: Yeah, sure. yeah, I think honestly, once you realized that again, there's room for everybody, life gets a lot easier. 

[00:17:02] Yulia: I love 

[00:17:02] Khadija: that. So there's room for you there's room for everybody. Like, don't be afraid to like, to spread, spread the wealth around, you know, inshallah, like you'll find your, your niche, your path.

[00:17:14] and it's gonna just be that's just your path. Um, like your lane is yours, you know, so, 

[00:17:21] Yulia: yeah. Um, and you know what else you said, I remember what you said in the podcast, because I really listened to it today. You also on the podcast, we were talking about this as well. That plus you get a lot of karma points when you spread it around.

[00:17:34] and then some of them that returns to you. Right. Which is kind of a cool concept as well. 

[00:17:39] Khadija: Yeah. I mean, it gives me so much joy to see other people thriving and like, I don't know, like it sometimes makes me really emotional. when I see like my friends winning, and I like go out, get their magazines and I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm holding your work in my hands right now.

[00:17:59] so I mean, I think I enjoy that more than anything. It's good when you win, but like when other people win as well, it's the best 

[00:18:10] Yulia: truly. Yeah, it is. I can relate to that so much, you know, in our community, in the genius women community. Like when I see, you know, the people in our community, when I see them publishing their work, I feel like I, I feel so proud of them.

[00:18:23] Like, it's, it's a really awesome feeling. Yeah. I can, I can relate to that. for sure. yeah. Well, I wanted to ask you actually could be her. if you can talk about it, I don't know if you can, I don't know what the thing was, but, I wanted to ask you questions about working with no me, I mean, that's incredible and I don't know if you can talk about it or not, and if you can't for sure.

[00:18:45] You know, let me know. But first of all, what an amazing opportunity. And when I saw that, I think you both bet on Instagram our listeners, because, photograph Naomi Campbell for architectural digest earlier this year in this incredible spread and ran a beautiful feature, check it out on her Instagram it's there.

[00:19:03] so yeah, I wanted to ask you how, how. To work with her. I mean, it's like just something out of this world. 

[00:19:10] yeah, I was like stressed. I was 

[00:19:12] Yulia: imagine. 

[00:19:13] Khadija: So the editor Michael emailed me and was like, are you available for. cover shoot. You didn't say like, who cover shoot. I'm photographing a house in Melindy.

[00:19:29] and it was in December last year. and I was like, yeah, I'm not doing anything. and then he said who it was, he was like, okay. It's confirmed. It's Naomi Campbell. and I was like, okay. I remember I was with my family at the time and I literally threw my phone. I was like, no, threw it. And at that moment, Immediately.

[00:19:53] Khadija: I was thinking about who else can I give this job to? Because I cannot do it. I was like, there is no way, like I'm not a fashion photographer. Like I'm, I just was like, I have to pass this on to someone else because this is not, this is not going to be me. I don't shoot with like artificial lights. I just, I.

[00:20:14] The simplest. I usually have the simplest setup. It's just, I don't even have a setup to be honest. And I was just like, I can't, I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this. And my mom was like, what, why do you keep saying that you can't do this? You haven't even tried. And I'm like, but this is something that you try 

[00:20:32] Yulia: moms aren't the best.

[00:20:33] Honestly, 

[00:20:34] Khadija: I was just, like I said, this isn't something that you try. Like, you can't. Practice audio. So that was really, I was really stressed. and he was always very, I don't know, a little bit surreal to me when they send me my own work as examples of what they want. And I'm like, oh, okay. so he sent me a couple of like photos that I've taken of just like my friends and like, um, really cool houses.

[00:21:02] so he was like, this is kind of what we're looking for. but I was still very nervous and I got, My friend mamby, who is just the most amazing person to be my assistant. And yo, I don't think I would have been able to do it without her because she was there with me every step of the way. she got the lights that I needed last minute and I was just.

[00:21:29] Khadija: when I would like freak out internally, she'd be like, fuck, you can do this. You're here. This is yours. I'm like, okay. Yeah, I'm here. This is mine. I'm going to take it. so it was a lot of like talking to myself and like listening to myself, there was a time that I had like a little bit of a panic.

[00:21:45] and then I have to go to like hotel room and like sit in the dark for a little bit. and just kind of like do breathing exercises and then eat dark chocolate. and. Whatever you need 

[00:21:55] Yulia: to do, because I was just 

[00:21:56] Khadija: like, I can't believe this. I can't believe this. I can't believe this. yeah, it was, I was mess to say the least.

[00:22:01] but, and then also I did it in 30 minutes. 

[00:22:05] Yulia: What, that's all the 

[00:22:06] Khadija: time. So she's very nice. Very very nice. She's also a super model who is on her own time. So, on the schedule it said that I had her from like 11 to three or something like that, or was it from nine to anyway, it was four hours is what I remember was on the schedule.

[00:22:30] And I. Talk to her stylist. And I was like, okay, so this is the call time, is this, on the schedule? And he was like, yeah, she's not going to be there at that time. So I'm like, okay. Um, so what time is she going to be there? And he goes, shoot for probably three or 4:00 PM. And I'm like, okay. Okay. How are we going to do this?

[00:22:53] Because they also had to shoot the video of her going through the house. I was just really stressed out because they needed an hour for that. And, you know, sunset is a thing. So sometimes it's six o'clock. Um, so the video took a while, to shoot. I was like, you guys can go first because I feel like that's going to take longer.

[00:23:13] and then me and mum be an Edward, who was the stylist? like interior stylist. That's where it is. so he and Mumbia and I went through the house and just like. Set up the shots and practiced and practiced and practiced and practice so that when she got there, she would just be put in place. I could fire off a couple of shots. Sheso then she would go and change. Cause obviously she's like. Supermodel. And she can change in like five minutes. so she goes, she changes and we run to the next setup, we do our lights, fire off a couple of practice shots, and then she walks in.

[00:23:51] Khadija: She poses the light, just hits her. I don't know because whenever there is somebody else. It just wasn't working the same, but when she would be in the frame, it would just do like, the wind would do its thing. And I'm just like, wow. What? so yeah, it was a lot of setup and practice instead of, and practice and like, that's pretty much what we did for most of the day, while understanding that the light was going to change and that.

[00:24:20] as the day progresses. and so yeah, we had 30 minutes to do 5 looks. 

[00:24:27] Yulia: Yeah. Wow. 

[00:24:28] Khadija: Wow. So, yeah. And that's how it was. By the time I was done, I was like sweaty. And I was just like, please let one of these work. 

[00:24:38] Yulia: I know. No, they, they didn't, they looked incredible. And again, for, for those of you who will be listening later, definitely go check out the work at Instagram, because it's an incredible work.

[00:24:50] And now knowing the backstory that it was all done in 30 minutes, you know, of course, with preparation. With some, wonderful help. But look, it sounds like, I mean, that's an incredible one to add to your repertoire of stories, to talk about your work. Right. I'm curious, how do you feel now?

[00:25:09] Like if, if that phone call or that email came now and somebody would be like, Hey, you know, you need some photographs. I don't know Michelle Obama or something. How, how would you. No, 

[00:25:20] Khadija: I would still stress. I would still freak out until the moment it's published. Like, it's just how I am. I always think that I've done a horrible job until it's published.

[00:25:35] I just, oh, so let's say just comment. Yeah, 

[00:25:40] Yulia: well said, 

[00:25:41] Khadija: gave me a quick, Photoshop tutorial, because I'm not a photo shopper. I don't know how to retouch, like I I'm a photo journalist. Like we don't. Yeah. It's not ethical. but yes, he was very kind to. Give me some lessons and, you know, I appreciate him so much for that.

[00:26:02] Yeah. And also he did some of the retouching, on those photos. So yeah it was like a group effort, man. That's what that was. I appreciate you so much. Um, also, we've never met, I've never met him before. So this is like, it's a, a funny, good things about Instagram. Yeah. Yeah. This for sure.

[00:26:25] Trusting community that we. 

[00:26:28] Yulia: Sure there so many people that I would just love to meet in real life. Oh, I recently met someone and for the first time in real life, but we we've known each other on Instagram now for years now. And it feels like, you know, this person and you know, like lots of their intimate thoughts and all those things.

[00:26:45] And then you meet in real life and it's, so interesting. Cause it's so different. Riding a real person, flesh and blood. 

[00:26:51] Khadija: I know, I'm sure 

[00:26:53] Yulia: it's wonderful. 

[00:26:54] Khadija: People always ask me like, oh, where did you meet this? Meet this person. And I'm just like, it's Instagram. I meet everybody off the internet now. So that's how it is.

[00:27:04] But no, I would stress. I would stress out if I got the call that I have to photograph. Obama like what? And then inside, I would be thinking about my own politics. I mean, to give up my own politics and then, but also, yeah, I'd freak out. Because I'm a, I'm a, naturally anxious person.

[00:27:23] even if it's, you know, just a regular person, I just freak out because I want to do a good job and I want to present them in a way that they would be proud, of it. And yeah, I'm like, why can't you do this job, 

[00:27:39] Yulia: but yeah. 

[00:27:40] Khadija: I stress out all the way to,

[00:27:42] but it is what it is. 

[00:27:43] Yulia: Yeah. I know. I can relate to that because I I'm also, you know, as a trouble during the list, sometimes you don't have that much time and. You don't have, like, you're not setting anything up. You're all, you're mostly in the moment and you know, you really want to do a good job and you want to represent people in the way that they would want to be represented.

[00:28:02] And yeah, there's, there's a lot of pressure for sure with that. so I can relate to that, but here's to hoping,less stress and less anxiety. for you in this next year, as you're getting back into more gigs and more work, and hopefully they're all going to be giving you a lots of time, lots of time to set up lots of sciences to do it.

[00:28:24] And not like a 30 minute situation. 

[00:28:27] Khadija: I think I thrive, honestly, when there's not that much time, I don't know what it is. It's like if I. Too much time to think about it, then there's a problem. Yeah. So I would just rather like bang, bang it out. A lot of times people are like, oh my gosh, are you done?

[00:28:43] And I'm like, I can't stay here any longer or I'm going to overthink it and then I'm going to ruin it. 

[00:28:49] Yulia: Yeah. So 

[00:28:51] Khadija: the only thing I like to take my time with, I think maybe. Wild life. but yeah, I'm gonna work on that too, to have a lot of things to work on,

[00:29:01] but yeah, I should probably take my time more. 

[00:29:04] Yulia: Yeah. Yeah. So, if you guys have any questions for Cavita, please drop them in the comments. We're going to start wrapping up soon here. but I want to make sure. If there is a question which you guys, can pose it. Um, here's a question. What advice do you have for a fellow anxious person trying to get into the field?

[00:29:24] yeah, like go to therapy if you can find a therapist. Okay. And if therapy doesn't work for you, get on some anti-anxiety medication. but honestly it helps to know that the other person is just as nervous as you are. Probably more nervous. because I mean, I hate people taking my picture, so I just have to put myself in their shoes and.

[00:29:52] Khadija: Try to make them feel comfortable. So if you think about the other person as yourself, just make it, like, I just, yeah. I just feel like the other person has the same anxieties you have. and

[00:30:06] if someone agrees. For you to take their photo. Like that's a privilege, you know? if someone asked me like, Hey, can I take your photo? My, my immediate reaction is to say no, so don't feel bad when someone says no, but when they do say yes, like.

[00:30:23] Such a privilege, so, you know, take advantage of it. and then I know it,

[00:30:28] it sounds maybe repetitive, but share your work. Don't be afraid to share your work. I still have problems with it now because. It's not good enough, Neil, you have to share the best. but yeah, just share your work. You never know who's looking. yeah. 

[00:30:43] Yulia: And when you say share, when you say share, you mean shared on Instagram or a website 

[00:30:48] Khadija: or share like a little bit on Instagram, but put it mostly on your website. I feel, I am not doing so well with that, but share like your full story on your website. and then Instagram is just like the highlights, you know?

[00:31:06] Yulia: or so it seems like, 

[00:31:08] Khadija: but if you see me out in here doing those, doing those little dance, Like I have so much respect for people who put themselves out there and do the little, 

[00:31:19] Yulia: yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's that little thing. Yeah. Right. 

[00:31:23] and because I scroll through, I don't have ticked off because I just, I can't with all the apps these days, I feel like I sound like such an old person, but.

[00:31:34] I definitely, I don't spend as much time online as I used to. which is like, why am I don't remember when my last Instagram post was like June, or may or something, I don't know. but yeah, share your work. That's what I have. Create for yourself and share it because you're not going to get anywhere.

[00:31:54] Khadija: If you don't share your work, like it has to be seen by someone otherwise what's it for, I mean, I guess it could be for yourself, but you got to eat. How else will you pay your bills if nobody sees your work? So get over that fear. And then also reach out to people that you admire. a lot of us really want to help.

[00:32:13] Um, some of us are horrible at answering DMS. but when I get the chance I do, like when I, you know, get over my, my whole, like sometimes it just becomes a little bit overwhelming. But yeah. Reach out to people you admire and just ask questions, and ask for advice because there was no blueprint.

[00:32:33] Khadija: Nobody's going to tell you, you have to do ABCD to get to, you know, whoever you admire everybody's road is different. so just ask questions and. Sign up for free, like workshops, you know, everyday Africa does free sessions, sort of lecture series type things. what else? But yes, look up.

[00:32:56] There's lots of resources. You know, there is, 

[00:33:00] Yulia: is it African women photograph, 

[00:33:02] Khadija: right? They do that. fuck gatekeeping. I'm pretty sure that's the name of it. They answer a lot of questions. yeah. So you got this there's room for everybody. Come on in. 

[00:33:15] Yulia: I love this. I love this so much. And as always, I love your answers.

[00:33:20] They're beautiful. And in fact, again, because I listened to your episode just today, that's what you talk about in that episode too, which is amazing, which is really lovely, lovely to see that. I think we're gonna start wrapping up. I actually have my Arabic classes. That's just like in 10 minutes, that's starting.

[00:33:39] So I have to get, myself over there. but it was so wonderful to, to catch up with you and to hear from you. And I wish you really, all of the best in this next one year of your life. And I'm so happy that you w when you talked about in the beginning about, you know, again, work's taken the backseat when it needed to, and now you're getting back into it.

[00:34:01] It's just such a real and for, and really real way to talk about this, that we don't often talk about it. So I really, really appreciate that. And I also wish you all the gigs that you once and. 

[00:34:14] to, cross your path and this next one year, and yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for the updates 

[00:34:21] Khadija: and shall I get to meet you in person?

[00:34:23] Yulia: that would be so awesome. Now, at least we're on the same time zone, so we're getting, getting faster, but if you're ever in the middle east, let me know. I mean, I'm, I'm actually here quite often, too, so. You never know, and now I'll be this Arabic, you know, I'll know Arabic a little bit better too.

[00:34:40] So 

[00:34:40] Khadija: that's exciting. Yeah. Awesome. Thanks for this. 

[00:34:46] Yulia: Thank you. Thank you. and thanks to everyone who's joined us today. Boot checkout could, because Instagram that she hasn't posted on since this 

[00:34:55] Khadija: I'll be better at it. Look, I'll be better 

[00:34:57] Yulia: at it. There's a lot of beautiful work that she shared before.

[00:35:01] So definitely check it out. and thank you guys. thank you for joining us today. All the best. See you have a wonderful Wednesday. Bye

[00:35:09] Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoy this conversation with and don't forget, you still have time to access the sneak peek preview of my story hours and action class and get the first module of the class for free. When you register at geniuswomxn.co/sneakpeek go there before Wednesday, November 24th. To get your free access.

[00:35:32] Thanks again, and I'll see you next week for a very special episode in which we catch up with our season two guests, travel writer, Breanna Wilson.