Imani Khayyam can trace the moment his life changed to a scene outside a classroom in Texas. A recent high school graduate from Jackson, he was studying Computer Science at a community college, fulfilling his parents' wishes but feeling uninspired. One day, watching students set up a camera through a classroom window, his interest came alive.

"That's what I want to do," Khayyam told an older classmate, surprised by how certain he felt.

A Change of Course and a Return to Jackson

The feeling was unmistakable and persistent, but questions quickly followed. When he told his family he wanted to be a photographer, their first concern was pay. Research showed only modest salaries, which stung. Still, he was sure this wasn't a passing interest. He committed fully.

Khayyam explored new options with a college administrator, hoping to travel and photograph high-profile subjects. Eventually, he returned to Jackson, enrolled at Tougaloo College's Visual Arts program, and explored various media, focusing on photography. During this period, he washed cars with his uncle. One day, he shared his dreams, and as fate had it, Will Sterling was introduced to him. Sterling was a top photographer in Jackson and, it turned out, one of his uncle's clients.

Learning from a Master: Mentorship Under Will Sterling

Sterling, a renowned high-fashion photographer under Sterling Photography, boasts a client list of celebrities, high-profile clients, and local radio personalities. For Khayyam, meeting Sterling meant landing the mentor of his dreams.

"I spent about a year as (Sterling's) right hand—setting up lighting, assisting on big shoots, traveling to places like Atlanta and Las Vegas, and helping with weddings and editing," said Khayyam. "He gave me my first camera, sent me on my first solo job, and remains a major mentor and influence on my work today."

From the Jackson Free Press to The New York Times

Khayyam's career shifted after a friend connected him with Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd, who recognized his portfolio's promise and hired him as the paper's photographer. Suddenly, he was everywhere: covering news, shooting portraits, and contributing to a local magazine. One assignment, a story on South Jackson gangs, led to his first major publication in The Guardian. Building on this success, he later became a photographer for former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, which opened the door to a New York Times assignment photographing Bobby Rush on Farish Street, a shoot he'll never forget.

Storytelling Through the Lens, One Frame at a Time

Today, Khayyam freelances with nonprofits, organizations, and national outlets. Despite varied assignments, the heart of his practice is unchanged. He aims to make pictures that tell stories: work that unfolds over time, lingers with its subjects, and gives viewers the sense that they are not just looking at an image, but stepping briefly into a life. For bookings, contact Khayyam via Instagram @i.khayyam.