For this project we were asked to take six photographs that tell a story relating to borders of any sort. This could be personal, cultural, or anywhere in between. I chose to focus my six photographs on Hijab and the social and emotional borders that come with wearing it. 

I started the process by creating a [very messy] mind map of what a border can mean. I branched out and began thinking of the many ways borders show up in our daily lives, and it took a while until I realized one that I continue to struggle with daily. 

"Hijab" is a commandment from God I am happy to observe, though it does come with a lot more than simply dressing modestly and wrapping a piece of cloth around my head. Whenever I enter a room, there is an already preconceived idea about who I am, what I think, where I come from, and how I behave. This also translates into conversations with those I've never spoken to, I am already misjudged before having the chance to present who I am on my own. This feels like a huge border placed against my will. I chose to focus my shots on the range of emotions I go through on my journey as a hijabi*.