ABOUT ME
Yasmine Omar is a Toronto-based photographer and director working under the name voadanfilms. Her work spans commercial, editorial, and documentary photography, with a focus on culturally grounded storytelling and community-centered narratives. Through photography and film, she documents moments of identity, youth culture, sport, and everyday life, capturing stories that reflect the communities she is part of.
Her work blends cinematic visual direction with an observational approach rooted in authenticity and trust. Whether working on brand campaigns or independent projects, Yasmine is drawn to stories that feel human and honest—often exploring themes of belonging, faith, culture, and personal transformation.
Alongside her professional practice, Yasmine is deeply invested in mentorship and community arts. She is the co-founder of 4TheWestEnd, a nonprofit initiative that provides photography, filmmaking, and creative programming for youth in Toronto’s west end. Through workshops and mentorship programs, she teaches storytelling, visual language, and production skills to emerging young artists.
Yasmine’s work includes national brand campaigns, editorial assignments, and international documentary photography, including a project in Kenya. She continues to pursue projects that explore identity, faith, culture, and the transformative power of visual storytelling.
She currently lives and works in Toronto.
EXHIBITIONS & FEATURES
Oxford Properties Feature, WaterPark Place (Toronto, Canada, 2026)
Yorkdale Black History Month Campaign, Yorkdale Mall (Toronto, Canada, 2025)
One-On-One Arcteryx Exhibit, (Toronto, Canada, 2025)
The Guiding Friend Exhibit, (Toronto, Canada, 2025)
DAZED MAGAZINE, (Toronto, Canada, 2024)
The Pivotal Moment Exhibit, (Toronto, Canada, 2023)
UGG Canada National Campaigns, Fred Vanvleet (Toronto, Canada, 2022)
SELECTED CLEINTS:
Nike, Adidas, Jordan, Toronto Raptors, MLSE, Toronto Maple Leafs, Canon Canada, Arc’teryx, UGG, Roots Canada, Vans, Lenovo, PSG, Toronto Star, Soho House.
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES:
4TheWestEnd - Co-Founder - Community arts initiative providing photography, music production, and creative programming for youth in the West End of Toronto.
Shoot for Peace — Photography Instructor- Youth mentorship and photography workshops focused on storytelling and technical skill development, Yasmine has taught over 72 youth in Toronto photography through this program.
Foreword by voadanfilms
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Foreword by voadanfilms |
Beginning in Toronto’s west end communities, including the ones I grew up in and now serve, I’ve always been drawn to photography as a way to honestly reflect the people around me. My work is rooted in the belief that everyday people deserve to be documented with care, intention, and dignity. What resonates most with me is authenticity the quiet confidence that comes from allowing people to be seen as they are, without interference or expectation.
From classrooms to community centers to the streets that raised me, my approach has always been grounded in collaboration. I aim to create images with people, not just of them. In doing so, I try to give my subjects control over their own representation, trusting that how they choose to show up holds value. Within that exchange, you begin to see the dignity that already exists turning ordinary moments into something iconic.
This way of seeing has shaped my journey not only as a photographer, but also as a teacher working with youth. I often remind my students that the image is only as meaningful as the care you take in seeing the person in front of you. The camera becomes less about capturing and more about witnessing about recognizing the beauty, resilience, and complexity that lives within our communities.
My work is ultimately an ongoing reflection of love for people and the spaces that hold them. It is about honouring what is soft and what is strong in us all, what is visible and what is felt. Through this practice, I hope to continue building images that serve as reminders of who we are individually and collectively, and of the power that comes from being seen on our own terms.