Meet the Clicke
Ashe Husein
Photographing the Unexpected in the Expected
For a photographer who spent his life balancing between countries, cultures, and professions, it is only fitting that Ashe Husein’s artistic style also be defined by the in-between moments. While Ashe was previously a primarily landscape and street photographer, what originated as hesitant dabbling with portraiture has now culminated in over 17,000 Instagram followers, collaborations with New York’s most talented ballerinas, and the discovery of his unique talent for capturing the what Ashe refers to as “the unexpected in the expected.”
“With social media, it’s really difficult to capture a truly unique shot that wasn’t inspired by something you saw. What I try to do is capture the human emotion in the moment because that moment, that’s unique,” said Ashe.
Consistent with his mantra of capturing the unexpected in the expected, Ashe’s photography combines the composition and skillful editing one would expect of fashion or portrait photography with a candid authenticity reminiscent of photojournalism.
Ashe attributes his work’s documentary-style tinge to how he got his start in photography — taking photographs for his high school yearbook — in one of the Middle East’s most notorious conflict zones. Capturing what Ashe described as “a pretty normal high school experience” in a region primarily photographed for its conflicts stoked his passion for capturing prevalent subject matter in a personal and more positive light. “It’s easy to photograph the situation people are living in and get caught up in the environment — whether it’s violence in the Middle East, the militant rather than human aspects of the Black Lives Matter protests, or overdone Instagram pictures in New York — but I like to focus on finding something unique and positive in the people in my photos,” explained Ashe.
Ashe’s knack for capturing his subjects’ literal and figurative best sides followed him back to the United States, where he continued to pursue photography while earning master’s degrees in Communications and Human Resources from Rutgers University. Now, Ashe simultaneously works as a photographer and an instructor at his alma mater, teaching classes on how to responsibly and professionally use social media in the digital age.
Not only is Ashe a standard-setter for professional conduct in the digital age at Rutgers, but he is also a standard-setter for professional conduct in photography. While Ashe followed the familiar photography business development process of upskilling through photography meet-ups, upgrading his equipment, and growing his social media presence, his never-failing warm professionalism is what sets him apart. From aspiring to established models, Ashe built his extensive network of repeat creative clients by “setting a really high bar for professionalism that unfortunately, many photographers don’t meet” said Ashe.
Informed by his background in HR, Ashe prides himself on setting clear expectations with his clients and facilitating a respectful and inclusive atmosphere to ensure that every photoshoot booking with him leaves a positive impression. “Even basic things like not touching a model without their permission often aren’t communicated in the industry. Since I am respectful and so clear about boundaries, there are so many times I’ve had models realize that how they’d been treated in past photoshoots was really not okay. And while that’s never good to hear, what is good is for me to know that I’m someone setting the standard for how things should be and that after a shoot with me, they won’t accept less,” said Ashe.
While unprofessional practices are more of a problem in model and influencer shoots with subjects newer to the industry, Ashe’s natural capacity for making his subjects feel comfortable sets him apart in all genres of photography. Whoever his subject and whatever the photoshoot purpose, Ashe’s favorite shots are “the natural moments in between poses, when they’re in the most flattering angle and the best lighting, but they’re also doing something that is just completely them,” Ashe explained. “In order to get those shots, they have to be comfortable.”
The elusive in-between shot Ashe loves and is known for capturing is exemplified by one of his favorites — a charmingly timeless family shot of three siblings hailing a cab in New York City. While in practice, kids hailing a cab alone is probably a parent’s worst nightmare, “their parents actually said this was their favorite photograph,” Ashe said. After introducing himself on one knee to get on the kids’ level and allowing them to play with his camera before the shoot, Ashe recalls that “the kids weren’t just acting like the camera wasn’t there, they loved that the camera was there!” While Ashe had originally posed the children to face him head on, he was able to capture the prized in-between shot when the youngest child looked up at his oldest sister instead. “Him looking to her to know what to do, that’s real. That’s what I mean by an in-between moment — in between an artistic pose and real life,” said Ashe.
Seamlessly blending authenticity with aestheticism, the unexpected and the expected, and the persona of a talented photographer with that of your favorite HR rep, Ashe can be depended upon to consistently deliver quality photos and photoshoot experiences. In addition to being one of our photographers, Clicke is proud to claim Ashe as an advisor informing Clicke’s community conduct standards and education initiatives.
