We had the good fortune of connecting with Hassaan R and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hassaan, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
That is an interesting question, for now I consider myself a semi professional/enthusiast photographer. I’m still learning the tricks and continuing to improve. Eventually I want to set up a possibly part-time business as a travel and portrait (travel more than portrait) photographer. I love traveling and I think a travel photographer can bring a lot of exposure to certain places that are otherwise not very well known. For a long time I have been considering to set up an online service/a website where lesser known photographers but good ones, would have a chance to get the exposure they deserve and sell their work, with part of the profits going to a charity or other noble causes. I am still working this idea and hopefully will have a plan soon.

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Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, what began as a hobby- turned into a passion. The more I experimented and learned, the better pictures I took. I am happiest exploring new places with my camera in hand. I feel that a good photographer must understand his camera and should know the limits of his equipment very well, to take better pictures, especially in difficult situations. I love capturing natural beauty as well as emotions and interactions that translate into stunning photographs. I’m still learning and I’m sure it’s going to be a long journey, but I’m glad I started it. I have learned in the last few years, after I made my Instagram profile, that it is very difficult to stand out and have ones work appreciated the way he imagined. I believe the key is to be consistent, work hard and don’t give up until you have achieved your goal. Eventually hard work gets recognized, sooner or later.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Very good question, I believe that every city has so many nice spots that just need to be discovered. In Houston, in the last few years I have discovered some really good places to hang out and take pictures. If someone is coming to Houston for a week I would highly recommend, The Hermann Park, specially the tree line along the Fannin Street (picture attached) The Museum district The Rice University The pedestrian bridge across the Memorial Drive for an excellent view of the Houston skyline The Waterwall Park near the Galleria The Cullinan Park in Sugarland for the amazing sunset The Chevron circle in downtown The Galveston, the west side beaches for the pretty sunset and of course, The Kemah Boardwalk. There are several other places that I would recommend and the list is long. If anyone is interested, I would advise to check out my Instagram gallery, where I specify the city and the location with each post.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That would be my friend from medical residency days, Michael Y; who introduced me to the DSLR photography and taught me tricks about different lenses, aperture, depth of field etc. After talking to him I bought my first DSLR camera which was about 10 years ago. He does not have an Instagram/Facebook account.

Website: www.mypixtagram.com
Instagram: @mypixtagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mypixtagram/ (still working on this)