Behind The Lens
Faces of familiar figures pop up with every scroll through Diera Bachir’s Instagram page. From Indonesia’s First Lady Iriana Jokowi and her family to elite celebrities such as Raffi Ahmad, Diera is on the list of the nation’s most coveted photographers. Behind her lens, lives the story of a 39-year-old woman filled with resilience, positivity, and creative vision.
Diera’s photography career began in 2011 when she decided to turn her hobby of smartphone photography into something more serious. Her photos are known for channeling warmth, with emotions perfectly captured and topped off with soft tones, a unique touch that brings a sense of nostalgia to each shot. A similar feeling is what one gets when they meet Diera in person. Just like the photos she takes, softness and warmth shine through Diera’s bubbly personality.
Working in a male-dominated industry, Diera sees photography as a platform for women to empower one another. ”Art is a way to express aspirations, motivations, and positive messages. In the long term, it can create a sense of community and collaboration which leads to economic growth,” said Diera.
Though she masters a diverse variety of artistic photography, Diera’s portraits tell stories of strength and resilience, particularly those of women. She expanded her range to birth photography in 2019, where she finds adoration in photographing women during childbirth, describing the experience as an intimate look into the strength of women. “Birth photos are fascinating, I get to witness the powerful battle a woman goes through (during childbirth).”
Diera is aware of the misconceptions that exist surrounding hijabis in the creative industry. Some may believe that wearing a hijab limits opportunities in creative fields, but Diera uses this perception as a motivation to work harder and strive to pursue even more accomplishments in the creative field. “What is certain is that you should keep learning, continue to expand your network, and seek out a positive community environment,” Diera stated, leaving a strong message to young Muslim women aspiring to work in the industry.