Seynab Muse Photographer

Saynab Muse is a photographic artist whose work beautifully honours family, culture, and identity. Saynab, who is Deaf, studies photography at Unitec with the support of a sign‑language interpreter and is in her third year of a Bachelor of Creative Enterprise.

Her first photo book, Imaanshaha, meaning "arrival", is an intimate portrait series of her parents, siblings, and grandmother in their Mt Roskill home. The images celebrate culture, family strength, and the experience of growing up in Aotearoa. As she explains, she wants to show that “a Deaf woman can be strong and have a voice.”

Saynab’s photography blends bold staging, rich textiles, and powerful gazes. She often plays with hiding and revealing, using fabric and framing to explore identity and the politics of being seen. Her family proudly supports her work, knowing these portraits help others appreciate their culture and strength.

Alongside her art practice, Saynab offers photography services that help people tell their own stories. She specialises in family and personal portraits, capturing love, milestones, and memories with warmth and intention. Whether she’s documenting a family moment or creating a powerful cultural portrait, Saynab’s images make stories last forever.

With bold colours, thoughtful staging, and a deep connection to her subjects, Saynab Muse brings a unique and important voice to New Zealand photography, one rooted in resilience and the beauty of being seen.