Through his unflinching lens, GMB Akash documents the unseen struggles of the marginalised — using photography not just to witness suffering, but to catalyse empathy, action, and meaningful social change. Khalid Mohamed speaks to the photographer. 

Award-winning Bangladeshi photographer GMB Akash is internationally acclaimed for his powerful visual storytelling focused on social justice, child labour, poverty, and human rights. With over 100 global awards and features in Time, Newsweek, and The Guardian, Akash uses photography as a tool for advocacy and change. His emotionally resonant portraits and street photography capture the resilience of marginalised communities, aiming to evoke empathy and inspire action. A TED speaker and founder of impactful humanitarian projects, he blends art with activism, making his work vital for those seeking meaningful photography that challenges, informs, and transforms.

No Cooling Images of Sunsets

No cooling images of sunsets, scenic landscapes, bubbling brooks, or vague abstract studies — which, of course, have a separate niche of their own in the boundless realm of the art of photography.

Instead, for decades now, the 48-year-old image-maker, GMB Akash from Bangladesh, has elected to be an activist for the awareness of the fundamental rights of marginalized people — both in his country and beyond.

In fact, he has created a body of work that would make even the most indifferent viewer care and spare a thought. Even a smidgen of compassion can go a long way in uplifting the condition of the primeval child labour force as well as the old and infirm who must beg for a morsel of food and survive day after day. Every picture captured by GMB Akash has a heart-ticking story to narrate; every camera click of his has a quality of that humaneness which has been steadily erased from our vocabularies.

Over time, photography has brought him more than 100 awards, with the monetary benefits donated to social welfare causes. He has been a TED speaker, and his images have been published in countless publications — Time, Newsweek, Marie Claire, and The Guardian, to mention a few.

By sheer chance, while researching top-of-the-line photography on Instagram, I came across his estimable oeuvre. To know more about this man with a heart of pure gold, I tracked him down via email for an interview for TheDailyEye.info. Excerpts: 

The Beginnings

Khalid Mohamed: Could we begin with your backstory?

GMB Akash: I was born in Narayanganj, a city not far from Dhaka, to a modest, middle-class family. My father, Abdul Kader Bhuiya, was a government employee and a freedom fighter for our nation in 1971. Beyond his official duties, he was an artist — an actor, a singer, and a painter. From my earliest memories, I remember watching him perform on stage, his voice suffused with emotion. When he painted, he brought colour and life to a canvas. My mother, Fatima Begum, was a dedicated homemaker — the quiet strength of our family.

They never imposed their dreams on me; they nurtured mine. Their unwavering support allowed me to explore my passions freely. As a child, I wanted to be like my father — not necessarily in profession but in spirit. His creativity has shaped me deeply. He taught me that true artistry lies in the ability to touch lives and negate apathy. While I didn’t follow his exact path, his influence led me to a journey where I could use my lens to communicate the untold stories of the world around me.

Khalid Mohamed: Do you remember your first camera and the first batch of photos you shot?

GMB Akash: My first camera was a Yashica FX-3, a gift from my father. He would use it to click our family moments. When he passed it on to me, it became the tool that changed the way I saw the world. At the outset, I shot in black and white because that was a more affordable medium.

There’s one image from that time I’ll never forget — a mother kissing her son through a barbed wire fence. Her daughter was working on the other side and had brought the child’s younger brother along. During a brief pause, the mother reached through the barrier to touch her daughter. That moment, captured in shades of grey, spoke volumes about love, separation, and resilience.

That photograph taught me that the most powerful stories often lie in the simplest moments. It set the tone for my journey, if I may call it that — to seek out and share the hidden narratives of everyday life.

Influences and Inspirations

Khalid Mohamed: Which photographers have inspired you?

GMB Akash: Many photographers, especially those whose work carries meaning — images that raise questions, evoke empathy, and inspire action. Photographers like Brazil’s Sebastião Salgado, whose Workers series revealed the dignity of labourers; Dorothea Lange, whose Migrant Mother captured the fortitude of a woman during the Great Depression in America; and Gordon Parks, who used his lens to fight segregation and injustice.

Their work goes beyond documentation; it’s a call to our conscience, reminding us to see the humanity in every face and story. That’s why I strive to create photographs which not only reflect reality but challenge it. I want my images to inspire change and move people to be concerned. Photography, for me, is about telling stories that matter.

Khalid Mohamed: Are there any specific challenges for a photographer committed to social causes in Bangladesh?

GMB Akash: Many. When you advocate for marginalized communities or highlight sensitive issues, you often face resistance. At times, it can even lead to threats, censorship, or danger to personal life.

Moreover, there’s very little institutional support, and resources are limited, which makes it hard to sustain long-term efforts. Still, the perseverance and courage of the people I meet keep me going. Their stories deserve to be heard. Photography, I believe, can be a powerful tool to bring injustice to light, inspire empathy, and create palpable change.

Khalid Mohamed: How many years did it take you to be recognized and amass a following on Instagram?

GMB Akash: Building recognition on Instagram has been a slow and steady process. I started by sharing my photographs and stories consistently, which connected with a growing audience. Today, more than 200,000 people follow my work on Instagram. This growth shows the power of storytelling — it connects us, opens eyes, and raises awareness about the reality many people choose to ignore.

Published Work

Khalid Mohamed: You’ve published two books — First Light and Survivors — so far. Are there plans for more?

GMB Akash: There are many plans to publish more books. I’m currently working on a few new projects. But publishing photo books in Bangladesh is difficult, as it must be everywhere. Printing costs have gone up drastically — paper prices have increased by around 55 per cent, and printing and binding costs are up by 50 to 60 per cent. Plus, getting books across internationally is almost impossible since courier charges are so high. We don’t have access to world-class printing facilities here. But it doesn't matter how tough it gets — I will continue sharing the voices of those who are unheard.

Khalid Mohamed: Among all the awards you’ve received, which one do you cherish the most?

GMB Akash: In the early phase of my career, I was honoured with several international awards, including the World Press Photo award in 2006 for my work on child labour in Bangladesh. Those awards gave me encouragement and helped validate my mission to document difficult social issues.

For the last 15 years, though, I’ve chosen not to submit my work to contests. My focus has shifted from winning recognition to making a difference. These days, I serve as a jury member for various international photography competitions to support new photographers. For me, the most meaningful reward is impact — when one of my photos helps someone to get support, when a story I tell touches someone’s heart or brings change to a person’s life — that’s the greatest award I can receive.

Khalid Mohamed: Your work has been published by major global magazines, but you haven’t joined an agency like Magnum Photos.

GMB Akash: For more than 15 years, I’ve been working with Panos Pictures, a UK-based photo agency that focuses on global social justice and human rights issues. Their mission aligns with mine. Through Panos, my work has reached international audiences and I’ve had the freedom to tell stories on my own terms. That independence is crucial for me.

Khalid Mohamed: How do your subjects usually respond when you photograph them? How do you seize the right moment?

GMB Akash: When I photograph someone — especially people in vulnerable situations — my approach is one of respect and oneness. I spend time with them, listen to their stories, and make sure they feel seen, not used. That trust helps me capture honest moments.

Seizing the right moment isn’t just about timing; it’s about being present. I stay alert to emotion, to gestures, to what’s unfolding in front of me. I don’t chase the perfect frame. I let it come to me by staying connected with the subject and the surroundings. Only then can a photographer convey the truth through an image.

On John Berger, Criticism, and Intent

Khalid Mohamed: Do you agree with John Berger’s Ways of Seeing, which says that an image evokes different perspectives from different viewers? Have you ever been criticised negatively?

GMB Akash: Of course, I agree with John Berger. Every viewer brings his or her own attitude and experience to an image, which is why one photo can have many interpretations. That’s the beauty and responsibility of photography.

I’ve been criticised extremely harshly. Some say I 'sell poverty,' but my purpose is not to exploit suffering — it’s to make it visible. I want to show the dignity in struggle, hope in hardship, and the triumph of people who survive against all odds.

I never see my subjects as victims. I see them as heroes. Criticism will always exist, but if my photographs can move someone to act, help a person, or prod the conscience, then I know my work has meaning.

Khalid Mohamed: You donate much of your income to the underprivileged. How do you support yourself?

GMB Akash: Photography is my life’s mission, not just my profession. I donate about 75 per cent of my income from workshops, book and print sales, exhibitions, and speaking at events.

To sustain myself, I live simply. I run one-on-one and group workshops which help cover my basic needs and allow me to share what I’ve learned. Seeing someone’s life improve — even a little — is more fulfilling than any luxury.

Salgado’s Influence

Khalid Mohamed: Can you elaborate on Sebastião Salgado’s work, which also focuses on labourers and social issues?

GMB Akash: Salgado’s ability to show the strength and humanity of labourers, even in the toughest conditions, is powerful. His Workers series is a tribute to the dignity of manual labour and a signpost to the people who build our world, often unseen. Salgado’s immersive approach resonates with me. He spends time with his subjects, understands their lives, and his photographs depict that. Some critics say he makes poverty ‘aesthetic’. I disagree vehemently. I believe there’s amazing grace in the bare struggle to subsist.

As Salgado once said, “Why should the poor world be uglier than the rich world?” That line has stayed with me. The people I photograph deserve to be seen with respect.

Khalid Mohamed: How important is technical training in photography?

GMB Akash: Technical knowledge is helpful, but it’s not the most important element. What matters most is your vision and your ability to connect with people. I don’t use complex studio setups. I work mostly with natural or ambient light. My gear is minimal. What drives my photography is emotion, storytelling, and the trust I build with the person in front of the lens. You can learn technique — but empathy, you have to feel that.

Street vs. Portrait Photography

Khalid Mohamed: Do you approach street photography and portraits differently?

GMB Akash: Yes, my approach is different for each discipline, though the goal is the same: to tell humane stories.

Street photography is about being invisible, blending into the environment, watching life unfold, and snatching moments as they happen. That requires patience and instinct. Portrait photography is more personal. I spend time getting to know the person. I talk, I listen, I make them feel safe. When they believe in me, I can photograph who they truly are — not just how they look.

Khalid Mohamed: How do you foresee your evolution?

GMB Akash: My evolution is not just about improving my craft. In the future, I want to do more than just take photos — I want to bring about change. I hope to expand my support for communities by launching projects which provide education, healthcare, and sustainable employment.

In many cases, taking a photo is just the beginning of a long-term relationship. I keep in touch with the people I photograph and try to support them in any way I can. Over the years, I’ve helped to build homes, install clean water, support education, and give the needy tools like sewing machines, cows, or auto rickshaws. Photography is not just about being part of someone’s story — it’s about writing a better chapter if I can.

Today, the trend is veering towards strictly happy images. The ones that show pain, poverty, or injustice make even those who appreciate photography uncomfortable. But if we only look at what’s beautiful and turn away from what’s broken, how can we ever hope to fix it? It’s a moral failure to look away.

If I witness suffering and stay silent, I betray the purpose of my work. I don’t take photos for likes on Instagram. I post them to stir compassion, to wake people from their complacency. My camera is my voice, and I use it to speak for those the world often chooses not to hear.