Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Rahman.
Hi Eva, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Naushin Rahman, but I go by Eva. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, but as soon as I graduated high school, I ended up moving all over from Dallas to Denver, and then to South Korea! I just recently came back from living in South Korea for three years where I taught English to some of the sweetest kids ever. Before I moved to Korea to teach, I was back home exploring and cultivating my love of art, especially photography. One of my favorite things to do is to get a good friend and have a fun photoshoot-because why not? I continued to foster my passion for art by attending weekly sessions in Seoul to work on my paintings. Now that I have moved back to Austin (at least for the time being), I told myself that I had to come out of “retirement” and start shooting again. I am so excited to start developing more for my portfolio again and with that, even incorporating other forms of art, such as my painting. In the meantime, all I can do is work hard and look forward to my next career and creative adventure.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a lot more adjustment along the way. I am finding that all of my obstacles are definitely mental. While moving back to America was physically demanding, it has been taking a more mental strain than I expected. One of the biggest struggles has been trying to find my place again in Austin. I realized that I have never been an “adult” in my home city, and I have been figuring out what to do with that. In addition to this, my age has been staring me in the face. I know that passions and careers know no age, but it is one of those things that is definitely easier said than believed. At the time that I am writing this, my 26th birthday is in a month. Sometimes it feels as if I am not where I am supposed to be at this “number”. I think my problem is that I want to do big things for myself, and it is not happening at a certain rate. However, I know that there is absolutely no one else but yourself who can tell you that you can not accomplish what you want, no matter when that happens.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the moment, I am unemployed, having just left my teaching job in South Korea. I grew to love teaching while I was at Korea, and would not be opposed to continuing on that path. I am proud of the impact that I had on my students, and I am even more proud of them for growing as students and individuals. Seeing students, especially ESL ones, gain their confidence as the year went on was rewarding in ways I could never have imagined. I now resonate with how some of my educators that I had growing up must have felt, and I am honored to have experienced it. With that being said, I do also want to explore my creative side. I have always loved beauty and makeup artistry, and was working in makeup before I moved abroad. I have been known for my elaborate eye looks, even amongst the students at my school who absolutely were intrigued and fascinated by this display of my creativity. I have always also loved photography and editing photos, and this is something I want to continue to do, whether as a “side hustle” or a more full time. Portrait photography has always been a favorite of mine. There is something about making your model feel as powerful as they look on a photo that gives me that same reward as teaching does. If you were to ask any of my friends what reminds them of me, they would honestly probably say either “makeup”, “painting”, or “photography”. I know I have a lot to learn and progress when it comes to my creative pursuits, but I am happy with what I have produced over the years.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
This is going to sound so Texan, well Southern, of me, but going to the Rodeo every spring break. It is one of the traditions that I have tried to uphold, even through moving around so much. If at any point during the past couple of years I was in town in March, I would still go to the Rodeo. I love rides, and the Rodeo was my little introduction to the world of amusement parks and carnivals. I still feel so jovial seeing that caterpillar roller coaster, which now looks so tiny!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evarahman.wixsite.com/takenbyeves
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahman.eves/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evarahman/
- Other: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_3_jItFw/I-bmU4r1eynyywBwlL3Ccw/view
Image Credits
Models are Kestrel Kiegel, Kai’ M. Perry
