My UAE: Sara Al-Balooshi is breaking the photography rules

A profile of the Emirati photographer Sara Al-Balooshi.

Sara Al-Balooshi has more than 18,000 followers on her Instagram page. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

It’s amazing how our hidden talents appear in the places we least expect. For Sara Al-Balooshi, it took a family holiday abroad to reveal her brightest talent – photography.

The interest was sparked after school graduation. “We were on a trip and I didn’t have a camera,” says the 21-year-old Zayed University student. “Family members [lent me a camera and] asked me to photograph them and I did a great job.”

As her family prepared for her graduation, she asked for a camera. “At the beginning, the camera was for fun and testing my skills. People complimented my work and gave me feedback, which pushed me further to take photography seriously.”

At university, she took a photography course. Her professor noticed her eye for detail and suggested she should move forward.

“After learning the photo- graphy-composition rules, I started breaking them. I began to add my own ideas and creativity.”

Al-Balooshi has managed to stand out among an ever-­increasing number of photographers. Her Abaya series has generated public interest and been featured in the media. The series shows an Emirati woman in an abaya, pictured in different places. For Al-Balooshi, the theme has many stories behind it. One, she says, is the cultural aspect.

“Most Emirati women do not like revealing their face on social media,” she says. “Being anonymous arouses curiosity and it’s more intriguing.”

To keep a record of her work, she set up an Instagram page (@swaairah), which she has used to increase ­exposure to her work. She currently has more than 18,000 ­followers.

One memorable moment was when her favourite photographer (@Muradosmann) gave positive feedback on a picture she posted. “It was an exciting moment for me,” she says.

Quick questions to Al-Balooshi:

If you could have a second home, where would you choose?

Crans-Montana, Switzerland. It’s such a happy place. It has various ice-cream shops, puppies and old people. To me, these three things are sufficient.

Where have you exhibited your work?

ThinkUp Ramadan Art Exhibition in 2012 by du. My Abaya series was displayed in the Gallery of Light last year in Mall of the Emirates. I also participated in the [online project] #MyDubai.

Name one picture that you're really proud of

My sister in the desert holding balloons.

Why do you take so many pictures of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

When I was in school, my mother didn’t allow me to go there. But as I grew up, I got the green light. I love that place – it’s exquisitely designed and breathtaking. I can’t stop myself from going there every now and then.

My favourite holiday

Orlando and New York City [pictured]. I had so much fun.

What themes do you focus on when shooting?

What I try to do is not copy others. You might find some similar themes in my work, but at the end of the day, I don't copy other's work and ideas. I come up with my own ideas and add some creativity to it.

Favourite place to relax

The Maldives.

My favourite Instagrammer

@Muradosmann – The man behind the #followmeto hashtag. He is an inspiration. He came up with some new ideas [while] travelling the world and picturing what he saw. This is something I would love to do.

Favourite architecture

In Dubai – the Burj Al Arab.