Pastel play: Alysha’s product photography journey crafting iconic content for the world’s biggest brands

Malaysian creator Alysha Nasir turned her passion for storytelling into a thriving career in product photography. With roots in TV marketing, she took a leap of faith and has never looked back. Today, she’s recognised for her sharp eye, attention to detail and exceptional creative talent.

As a longtime Creatively Squared creator, Alysha has collaborated on over 50 projects with our platform, and counting, for global brands like Nestlé, Aveeno, Dettol, Closeup, TRESemmé and Sunsilk. Her impeccable product styling and authentic lifestyle imagery have earned high praise from both our team and clients. Whether capturing candid moments or crafting eye-catching scenes, Alysha’s work always stands out.

What makes Alysha’s work even more captivating is her signature use of pastel tones, a playful yet sophisticated touch that draws viewers in and leaves a lasting impression. Her distinct style and consistent execution have made her a go-to creator in the region.

Curious about Alysha’s creative process and what fuels her success? Let’s dive into her journey and discover the passion behind her photography!

Let’s chat with Alysha

Hi, I'm Alysha Nasir, a product photographer from Kuala Lumpur and the person behind pastelplay.co!

I started my journey in product photography in 2017, but my creative roots go back even further. I worked in branding and marketing for a TV station, where I developed a strong eye for storytelling and visual impact. I quit my 9-5 job and found my passion in product photography and now I get to create visuals for brands through photography and video creation.

Although I am open to all kinds of content creation, my favourite to shoot is for beauty genre. I think my personal aesthetic is a blend of soft pastels and clean minimalism but I sometimes like to play with bold colours for contrast.

Journey with Creatively Squared

I first found Creatively Squared back in 2018 when flatlay photography was trending. I love looking at beautiful flatlays and found Creatively Squared through the hashtags. I found the creative challenges very interesting and I could see how supportive they are to all the creators, so I decided to be part of the creative community and I haven’t looked back.

I would say working with babies and toddlers for my projects with Cerelac and Bepanthen were challenging but so much fun. You never know when they're going to be tired or cranky and you have to get them in a good mood again before you can continue to shoot. But they give the purest reaction and are just the cutest talent!

Tools of the Trade

For my photoshoot, I use my longtime trusted camera Fujifilm X30 and Sony a7M IV. I use my Godox SL60W for lighting, and Lightroom and Photoshop for editing.

One of my favourite props to use is flowers. They're fun to style with, and always add warmth and colour to the photos. Another prop I'd always use is a marble tray/slab. It brings such elegance to any photo.

Alysha’s creative process

Every time I have a photoshoot, I would pin the photos that are similar to the look I'm going for in Pinterest, then based on the board, I would make a shot list so I know what colours and props to use for every shot.

I have 2 superstar assistants. My husband would always assist me during on-location shoots and my sister is my go-to hand model.

Whenever I want to get into the creative zone, I always listen to music and drink coffee! This is a ritual I have. I got to have coffee to boost my energy before any shoot and turn on my favourite music to get in the mood.

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Finding inspiration

I love looking up to @jasminedowling, @joanna.burdynska and @hiyamarianne

Top creative tip

Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Always seek new ideas and learn new things to upgrade your skills and your creativity.

Lastly, what’s next for you?

I would love to improve on my videography skills this year and create more video content for Tiktok and Instagram.

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Thank you Alysha for being a long-time inspiring and loyal member of the Creatively Squared community! We truly appreciate you and look up to your creative journey.

Follow more of Alysha’s professional work on Instagram @pastelplay.co.