Meet the accomplished creatives who have been challenging gender barriers in the industry from day one
Is the fast-paced photography scene still void of female creatives, you ask? These talented female photographers in Malaysia who are pushing the boundaries of artistry while driving social change prove otherwise. Among these distinguished individuals are the award-winning photojournalist Annice Lyn, accomplished National Geographic Traveller UK picture researcher Aisha Nazar, and New York trained photographer and producer Nadirah Zakariya, among others. They work tirelessly behind the scenes, masterfully capturing moments in time and shaping narratives while making a positive impacts on society through their visionary work.
Read also: Amanda Nell Eu—The first Malaysian female director to win Cannes’ Grand Prix 2023
Annice Lyn
Former figure skater, now photojournalist Annice Lyn is the only Malaysian female photographer to be accredited for the 2018 Winter Olympics (one of only 77 accredited female photographers covering the sporting event). Co-founder of Women Photographers Malaysia(WPM), Annice covered the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 and is hailed for her efforts to pave the way for more gender equality in photography, particularly in sports photography. Lyn’s photography is known for its profound humanity; from a young athlete’s determined expression as they ready themselves for the rink, the emotional aftermath of competitions lost and won, to her winning shot of Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, which landed Lyn gold for the Winter Sports category in the World Sports Photography Award 2023. Alongside her WPM co-founder and fellow photographer Aisha Nazar, she spearheaded the first ever global Victoria Secret campaign produced by a female-led crew in Malaysia in 2023.
Annice's work has been featured in prominent publications around the world, most notably the April 2021 cover of Time as well as The Guardian, The New York Times, Forbes and National Geographic.