A Q&A with Freelance Creative and DARBY Magazine contributor Hanin Mazri.
The growing interest in football culture in North America is palpable, with enthusiasts increasingly drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and traditions that go hand in hand with the sport and the culture around it. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, freelance creative Hanin Mazri’s photographic work captures more than just singular moments; it immortalises the essence of one of the fastest growing football cultures in world football. As a versatile creative, Hanin delves into various forms of expression, including photography, directing, and videography. But it’s through his passion for football that he finds a profound connection.
Speaking with Lower Block, Hanin talks about his lifelong devotion to Spanish giants Real Madrid, the inspiration behind his football photography, and his tireless pursuit of showcasing North America’s vibrant football culture.
Hanin Mazri: I’m from and live in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. I work as a freelance creative, doing photography, directing and videography for Darby Magazine (an independent publication working to grow and shape the game of football in Canada and North America).
I support Real Madrid and have supported them since I was about 5-years-old. My older brother has been a Real Madrid fan all his life so it was in the family, but my younger brother went against the grain and is a Barcelona fan. The club means everything to me, my entire life I’ve been watching Real Madrid play with my brothers. El Classico’s are sacred in our household, my relationship with both my younger and older brothers are extremely close because of football.
LOWER BLOCK: Tell us a bit about these photos…
HM: These photos are a sight through my eyes of the football culture within North America. Over the last few years I’ve become infatuated by the art of photography around the beautiful game. Me and the team at DARBY Magazine strive to show the football culture within North American with every shoot and story told. Football is the world sport, the culture here is massive, and we’ll show the world.
LB: What inspired you to photograph football and the culture around it?
HM: To put it simply, it’s atmosphere. There is a feeling you get when you’re in a stadium filled with passion, the ground you stand on shakes, maybe not physically but the feeling isn’t easily explained. That’s what I strive to capture, for the photos I take to help people feel football, the passion, the culture, and the atmosphere.
LB: What do you think makes photographing football lifestyle and culture so fascinating?
HM: It’s the stories, typically people in the football community live their entire lives for football. It’s not just a sport, it’s typically a lifestyle, an addiction. Shooting this sport you can see it means so much to people.
LB: Do you have a favourite photograph that you have taken?
HM: A favourite photograph would have to be the sunrise photo taken at North Maple Park. It shows that anywhere in the world, even in the cold winters of Canada, the beautiful game is played just like anywhere else.
LB: What’s next? Any future plans / other projects you’re working on?
I’m focusing on my craft and my style of photography, so I will be shooting as much as possible. Chasing the culture and passion of football, so I will be around the world a lot more in the future.
Follow Hanin and his creative work on Instagram, and be sure to check out DARBY Magazine (next issue out soon!) and subscribe to the newsletter – Northern Pitch for a weekly Canadian football roundup.
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