Raziq Haikal - Malaysian Sneaker Photographer Interview

How did your passion for streetwear/sneaker photography develop?

I was originally into street photography for at least 4 to 5 years before I was introduced to the sneaker scene. When Covid 19 hit the world, and all of us had to stay indoors, the only way to express my creativity is by taking photos of the things I had in my room which are mostly shoes. Hundreds of photos later, this genre of photography sort of stuck with me and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon.

What’s your favorite sneaker to photograph?

I would say that 90% of my sneaker photos involve Nike and Jordan brands. For me, both brands give out the aesthetic and classic vibe which can be expressed through photos. My top 3 silhouettes for sneaker photography would be Jordan 1 High, SB Dunk Low, and Air Max 1.

All three silhouettes being a few of the most historic and influential silhouettes of all time truly captures the eye of the people who appreciates the art behind a pair of sneakers. In my opinion, the most photo-friendly pair I have ever owned is the 2021 Nike SB Dunk Low Parra.

Name some of the sneakers in your current personal rotation

Currently, I have at least 50 pairs inside my room and I do wear them as part of the rotation. My top grails would be the Union High Black Toe, all three Off-White Jordan 1, Travis High, Tiffany SB, Off-White Jordan 2, Red and Green Lobster SBs, Sean Wotherspoon 1/97s, and loads of other Jordan 1s and Nike SBs.

If you could only wear one pair of sneakers for the rest of your life, what would that be and why?

Most probably, the Sean Wotherspoon 1/97s for its comfort and vibrant colors that are easy to match with most outfits.

What is one sneaker collaboration that doesn’t exist, but you wish/think should exist?

Union SB Dunk Low. Union LA collabs with Nike and Jordan Brand have proved their attention to detail is impeccable. The Union 1s and Union 4s are amazing pairs of sneakers and every panel of shoes is unique.

What are some of your favorite sneaker-related content creators?

There are a few international sneaker photographers that I follow such as @mikepairs, @will.i.ian, @sgo8, @brucehatoo, @carlkho_, and many others. For sneaker customizations, that would be @andu.c, @thesurgeon, etc.

Your dream hype sneaker you wish to acquire but don't have so far

Since I just secured a deal for a pair of Union High Storm Blue, my next target would be Dior 1 High.

As a photographer, what are some of your daily essentials or treasured items?

The main items would be my Sony A7Riii and my iPhone to take photos. Other than those 2, I would only need my shoes and the stuff that I could find around me, whether it be dried leaves by the roadside, or a cool-looking floor at my local café, or maybe something I could find in my room which would help complement the shot.

Where can people find you on social media?

I’m mostly active on Instagram, @raziq.95

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