Using powerful, honest photography to help a national movement grow. By combining dramatic drone shots of the British countryside with warm, candid portraits of real people on the trails, I helped break down old stereotypes and encourage more diverse communities to step outdoors.

01 // The Mission

Founded by Haroon Mota in 2020, Muslim Hikers started as a simple grassroots effort to help underrepresented groups get outside. I joined the project to capture the journey visually, creating professional imagery that would help the group reach a wider audience and show that the UK’s national parks belong to everyone.

02 // The Barrier

The outdoors has long had a representation problem, making many people feel like national parks simply weren’t for them. We didn’t want standard, staged stock photos. We needed real, raw images that showed our community naturally occupying and enjoying these beautiful landscapes.

03 // The Wide View

I used drone footage to capture the sheer scale of our hikes. Seeing a large group of diverse walkers winding across massive moorlands and high ridges sent a powerful message of belonging. This high-quality footage was key to getting our message noticed on global social platforms.

04 // The Human Moments

Alongside the big landscape shots, I focused on the small, human moments. I took candid portraits of hikers laughing during breaks, catching their breath, and helping each other up steep paths. These relatable photos showed the real joy of the experience, proving to beginners that they could do it too.

05 // The Impact

Real representation changes things. By giving people an honest window into our hikes, we helped challenge old stereotypes, sparked a massive rise in participation, and began rewriting the story of who gets to enjoy the British countryside.