Raza Kazim, born in India, has been photographing since his youth. As a Muslim he was active in the struggle for an independent Pakistan, but dropped out, disillusioned with the rigidity of his fellow campaigners. After a series of ideological detours, he presently terms himself 'a silent dissident'. Kazim founded the Sanjan Institute for Music, Philosophy and Photography in Pakistan, and is head of the photography department. He also founded an educational organization for Pakistani women. With his wife Rashida Raza he also organizes workshops on photography for students, girls and street children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Jurist and musicologist Raza Kazim (India/Pakistan, b. 1930) taught himself and his wife Rashida Raza (Pakistan, b. 1956) photography. The couple describes their PORTRAITS (1979-2003) as 'illustrations and situations from contemporary Pakistan, seen from a human point of view'.