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Photo Walk | Stories of Deira

The teeming neighborhood of Naif in Deira is replete with stories that collectively tell a living history of Dubai. In this photo walk with Dubai-native photographer, Mahra Almehairi, you’ll become part of Naif for a night, as you trace your way through this busy neighborhood, stopping to meet the characters, such as textile traders and watch repairmen, who make Dubai tick.

What's Covered

Open to both smartphone & camera shooters, the focus of this photo walk is on how to thoughtfully build a visual narrative, as you take portraits and environmental shots of details that evoke a story. Mahra’s specialty is shedding light on the culture of the UAE, and she will share her methodology with participants throughout this photo walk. (Curious to see her work? Check out some of her portfolio here.)

 

By the end of this photo walk, you’ll be more comfortable interacting with subjects in a street or shop setting. You’ll also learn how to harness the power of observation to follow a story and record it, rather than dictate a story that existed in your mind prior to your interaction with a place or subject. This will open up your visual vocabulary, allowing you to move beyond clichés as you form your visual narrative of Naif, and apply the same lessons to your future travels and street photography sessions.

 

Along the way you will:

 

  • Learn about the cultural history of Naif via the local businesses and people
  • Take time to interact with the shopkeeper(s) and observe interactions with the public 
  • Capture posed and candid images of the people
  • Document workspaces, products & environments

Open to both smartphone & camera shooters, the focus of this photo walk is on how to thoughtfully build a visual narrative, as you take portraits and environmental shots of details that evoke a story. Mahra’s specialty is shedding light on the culture of the UAE, and she will share her methodology with participants throughout this photo walk. (Curious to see her work? Check out some of her portfolio here.)

 

By the end of this photo walk, you’ll be more comfortable interacting with subjects in a street or shop setting. You’ll also learn how to harness the power of observation to follow a story and record it, rather than dictate a story that existed in your mind prior to your interaction with a place or subject. This will open up your visual vocabulary, allowing you to move beyond clichés as you form your visual narrative of Naif, and apply the same lessons to your future travels and street photography sessions.

 

Along the way you will:

 

  • Learn about the cultural history of Naif via the local businesses and people
  • Take time to interact with the shopkeeper(s) and observe interactions with the public 
  • Capture posed and candid images of the people
  • Document workspaces, products & environments
what's included
  • 3-hour photo walk
  • 3-hour photo walk
who should attend
  • Suitable for all. This workshop assumes no prior knowledge of photography. 
  • Note: Those who have attended our Photography Level 1 and/or Photography Level 2 workshops prior to attending will benefit most fully from this workshop, as you will be better equipped to inject your storytelling with creative photography techniques. 
  • Please note that photo walks are done on foot, so expect lots of walking.
  • Suitable for all. This workshop assumes no prior knowledge of photography. 
  • Note: Those who have attended our Photography Level 1 and/or Photography Level 2 workshops prior to attending will benefit most fully from this workshop, as you will be better equipped to inject your storytelling with creative photography techniques. 
  • Please note that photo walks are done on foot, so expect lots of walking.
What to bring
  • A camera with a fully charged battery - whether it’s a mobile phone or a DSLR. All are welcome. 
  • If you’re shooting with a camera, we recommend you bring 1 lens with a focal length within the region on 35mm - 50mm. 
  • A spare battery, or battery pack charger if you’re shooting with your phone. 
  • A thirst for adventure. 
  • Please pack light and bring all of your belongings and gear in one small camera bag. We will be moving around constantly and many of the businesses we will visit are small and thus large camera bags and lots of gear will not be welcome.

Please note: Due to traffic and very limited parking, we strongly recommend that you do not drive to the meeting point and take the metro instead. We will meet outside the main entrance of Al Manal Centre, just a 6 minute walk away from Baniyas Square Metro Station. We start promptly on time and highly recommend getting to the meeting point 15 minutes early. Once the walk begins, we will not be reachable by phone and we won’t be able to coordinate with latecomers.

  • A camera with a fully charged battery - whether it’s a mobile phone or a DSLR. All are welcome. 
  • If you’re shooting with a camera, we recommend you bring 1 lens with a focal length within the region on 35mm - 50mm. 
  • A spare battery, or battery pack charger if you’re shooting with your phone. 
  • A thirst for adventure. 
  • Please pack light and bring all of your belongings and gear in one small camera bag. We will be moving around constantly and many of the businesses we will visit are small and thus large camera bags and lots of gear will not be welcome.

Please note: Due to traffic and very limited parking, we strongly recommend that you do not drive to the meeting point and take the metro instead. We will meet outside the main entrance of Al Manal Centre, just a 6 minute walk away from Baniyas Square Metro Station. We start promptly on time and highly recommend getting to the meeting point 15 minutes early. Once the walk begins, we will not be reachable by phone and we won’t be able to coordinate with latecomers.

Cancellation Policy
  • If you cancel your photo walk a minimum of 7 days in advance of your photo walk, you will be issued a 90% refund or may be rescheduled to another date(s).
  • If you cancel your photo walk a minimum of 5 days in advance of your photo walk, no refund will be issued but you may be rescheduled to another date(s).
  • If you cancel your photo walk less than 5 days in advance of your photo walk, no refund and no reschedule is possible.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • Photo walks can be rescheduled within 1 month of the original booking and within the same photo walk type, only if there is availability on the new date requested. 
  • Bookings can only be transferred ONCE. If you transfer your photo walk booking and later wish to cancel it, we will not be able to refund or reschedule you under any circumstances. 
  • You must be 18 or older to attend this photo walk. If you are younger than 18 or booking for someone under 18 years of age, please contact us first and we will be happy to advise you.

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