ACACIA Diana has her work cut out for her. She has a penchant for travelling, a passion that is often funded by what started as a hobby taking photos and posting them on Instagram.
What helped put her hobby in tandem with her passion is the recognition that came with being made a Canon EOS Youth Ambassador.
The rest, as the saying goes, is history, well-documented in her exhibitions, portfolios and on social media.
Acacia, who stressed "that's my real name as stated in my birth certificate", said she was bitten by the shutterbug when she was studying for her MA in architecture at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom.
Lugging her second-hand Canon 600d, Acacia, whose full name is Acacia Mardiana Daud, visited sites around Europe to understand building projects.
"We had to document buildings through photography or sketches. That was when I realised that I really enjoyed photography," said Acacia, who is from Shah Alam.
Her travels, sometimes solo and sometimes with friends or with her architecture studio and tutors, produced work that showed the imprints of her talent behind the lens.
"In the beginning, it was motivated by my interest in architecture and urban spaces, like the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the city centre of Tokyo," she said.
A RIBA II architect, Acacia has travelled to more than 40 countries and the visuals taken on these trips are largely influenced by her architectural background and experiences in some of the most interesting places in the world.
Her studies had helped develop her visual skills.
"They use a lot of the same principles in terms of composition, understanding light, space and moments."
When asked about her favourite place to photograph, she said Nepal, describing the Himalayan country as a treat to her senses.
"Nepal remains a favourite as the location has an interesting blend of architecture, street culture and food! It's a burst of colours and heritage."
A travel journal that started during her student years to reflect her thoughts and mark her journey received a following on social media and inspired a community for mental health project, #lakarya, in 2016 to spread positive sayings, good vibes and acts of kindness.
Her interest in photography saw her embarking on an eight-month training programme with Canon Malaysia in 2018, which exposed her to different styles and photography equipment.
"More than anything, the programme reinforced my interest, and I learned the different types of lenses that were best suited to different styles of photography. It helped polish and focus my skills too."
Acacia was one of the lucky six out of 26 youths from Malaysia to be selected as Canon EOS Youth Ambassadors.
That recognition helped open doors to support what could easily have been two very expensive passions.
"I also position myself with travel agencies whenever they need promotion and I get support from Canon," she said, referring to her humanitarian work with international non-governmental organsations and refugee aid groups.
To what extent will she go to get her shots?
"I am game to exploring beyond boundaries and spend a night outdoors. The line is drawn when you work with humans. I think it's very important to communicate well, respect and capture the dignity of people in your photographs.
"I went to Syria and Palestine, which are considered risky for travellers, so you have to factor in your safety and understanding of the places. Research and mindfulness are required in photography, which people don't realise," she said of her projects in the humanitarian field.
While having numerous global brands in her portfolio to create and curate beautiful images, Acacia is also building and exploring her trajectory as a visual artist.
On the side, Acacia sells photo prints, conducts photo workshops and does community projects to facilitate the arts and travel.
She has also set up a consultancy creative studio, Advensha Creative Co.
The pandemic and the lockdowns certainly affected her movements, leaving her to photograph her own backyard, but it was during this time that Acacia held her first solo exhibition in the UK called Spatial Materialities, supported by the University of Greenwich alumni association and Canon.
The exhibition in October last year highlighted architecture and design elements from around the world.
Among others, Spatial Materialities explores spaces and structures through their most fundamental visual language.
"Images are framed in isolation or in singular perspective to focus on the aspects that inform user-experience with design cues.
"This collection extends a deeper appreciation for the visual enhancements of architecture, some often overlooked, that aids in informing identities, styles and histories.
"The subjects, captured over a span of several years, archive the photographer's growth and architectural comprehension over the years."
Acacia, whose work had been exhibited in Amsterdam, was listed by Tatler as one of seven female photographers making a social impact.
Looking ahead, Acacia said she planned to grow her career in photography, mostly to develop a more artistic and unique style that highlighted design and identities in her work.
"The goal right now is to develop as a creative artist and one day open my own physical photography studio and gallery to help facilitate visual artists."