User:Omar Shaker

Omar Shaker (born February 15th, 1982), is a well-respected British photographer best known for creating the sultry look that has been hugely popularised by some of the UK’s best-selling Men’s magazines.

Born and raised in the heart of London’s East End, Omar is the youngest of two siblings. The son of a Spanish child minder and Egyptian artist-turned-restaurateur & nightclub owner, his upbringing was steeped in music, arts & culture. Omar’s first foray into the media was at the tender age of 16, when he pursued his childhood passion for film by featuring in numerous popular national television commercials. Soon after he turned 21, inspired by the same entrepreneurial spirit that drove his father, Omar decided to set-up his own entertainment business and became the Managing Director of Soho talent agency After Dark - representing some of the UK's most promising actors, models and dancers.

In an effort to sell the talent on his agency’s roster, Omar quickly realised the commercial value of great portrait photography and soon found himself behind the camera taking the very pictures he previously commissioned. In 2006, Omar closed the doors of his talent agency to pursue his newfound passion for photography. After working as a freelancer for two years, he rose to prominence in the UK Men's magazine arena, by shooting some of the country's most glamourous young starlets in his signature sultry and passionate style. Omar is able to achieve this by using a very unique lighting set-up, one that is more at home on the set of a movie than a traditional photo shoot. His images have since been published in best-selling magazines worldwide and, as a result, he has become synonymous with both fashion & commercial photography. Omar’s ultimate goal is to showcase glamour to a global audience and have his work become the centerpiece for one of the most iconic style brands, such as CK, Armani and Versace.

Omar has recently rekindled his passion for moving picture, as he has stepped into the role of Executive Producer / Set Photographer and actor for the feature film '24 Lines' - written and directed by Jake & Helena Astbury. He is also the Producer and lead actor in 'The Day Will Fall' – another Jake Astbury production. Constantly pushing boundaries as an emerging new talent in British cinema, Omar is currently writing his first novela and has already attracted the attention of established production companies who have expressed a keen interest in financing the film adaptation of his latest works.

Omar's latest business venture was launching his own online fashion, beauty and commercial photography journal to showcase his monthly work. Victime De La Mode Magazine (www.victimedelamode.co.uk)

"I believe art should evoke an emotional reaction. With this in mind, I predominantly shoot subjects that I find beautiful and that inspire passion". (Omar Shaker).