In my portraiture work, I favor candid moments and expressions of ones emotions; In my photomontage work I’m looking to invite curiosity through distortion, close examination and impossibility.
All with the purpose of creating stories.
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Up until this shoot I’ve. Always done things by “feeling”. Bringing in a subject, having some conversation and shooting as we do. Even with my photomontage, the “reference” was spontaneous inspiration.
This time I wanted to try my hand at an editorial style shoot. To that end, I launched myself into proper study creative direction. The resulting images are not only striking but symbolic of a new direction and way for me to go about my practice.
Photography[Digital]: Xevi Aqeel | Creative Direction: Xevi Aqeel | Wardrobe: Neelum Khae
© 2026
While attending school at Parsons, I’d regularly approach my classmates and peers to gauge their interest in having their portrait[s] made. If they were interested, I’d make use of the many studio classrooms that were open on the weekend[s].
Deborah had a different idea.
She suggested we shoot in her apartment .
Photography[Digital]: Xevi Aqeel
© 2017
While attending school at Parsons, I’d regularly approach my classmates and peers to gauge their interest in having their portrait[s] made. If they were interested, I’d make use of the many studio classrooms that were open on the weekend[s].
Deborah had a different idea.
She suggested we shoot in her apartment. Warily agreed having not done this kind of thing before. What came from it was a different kind of portrait. One comprised of not a single photo, but several. And in those photos were more than Deborah’s form; it was her work, her thoughts, her life and inspiration.
The people are what I’ve come to love about New York. Having lived here my whole life, I’ve been blessed to watch and participate in the communal dance that is living in an ever-evolving city.
This is my impetus for finding and capturing moments of other’s doing their part; keeping the energy of the City alive.
Photography[Digital | Analog]: Xevi Aqeel
© 2017 - 2026
Photography[Digital | Analog]: Xevi Aqeel
© 2017 - 2026
Photography[Digital | Analog]: Xevi Aqeel
© 2017 - 2026
Above all, I seek to create impossible images. Through distortion, digital collage and multiple exposures I aim to create images both surreal and curiosity inspiring. How well I’m accomplishing remains to be seen. Though for now, I can guarantee I’ll keep on having fun with it.