Faces of Qatar | How a Photography Project Promoted Cultural Exchange
Faces of Qatar was a long-running photo-essay initiative that shone a spotlight on everyday residents from 100 countries now calling Qatar home. By pairing striking portraits with concise interviews, the project fostered empathy and dialogue across national and cultural lines.
PHOTOGRAPHY
When I arrived in Doha in 2011 after living in London, I was struck by how everyone seemed to socialise within their own national circles—Arabs with Arabs, Europeans with Europeans—a stark contrast to London’s fluid cultural tapestry. Determined to bridge these invisible boundaries, I launched Faces of Qatar in May 2014, photographing residents from all walks of life and pairing each portrait with a brief conversation to reveal the shared hopes and stories that unite us.
From the moment I first lifted a camera, I have felt that photography’s power lies in its ability to transcend language and foster empathy. The most evocative photographs in history are those that carry a silent yet impassioned message, one that resonates deep within us. The image invites us to step into another's world—feel their joys, sorrows and aspirations without uttering a single syllable. It is the universal language that unites us as human beings, helping foster connections across borders, creeds and dialects.
For that reason, Faces of Qatar has become a living testament to that truth. It was built on the belief that a single image can spark a profound connection between seemingly disparate lives.
Doha News lauded Faces of Qatar for showing people are "more alike than we think,” highlighting how portraiture can reshape perceptions and invite genuine curiosity.
In October 2017, the Faces of Qatar portraits found an especially fitting home when Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser inaugurated ‘A Journey to the Heart of Life’ at Bin Jelmood House, Msheireb Museums—an exhibition that explores Qatar’s genetic heritage alongside stories of migration and integration. Integrating my photographic project into this permanent display reflected the exhibition’s ethos: that every person’s story, like a single strand of DNA, contributes to the rich mosaic of our shared humanity.
As Faces of Qatar continues to evolve (view the complete collection here), I am deep into preparations for a coffee-table book that will bring these portraits and their voices to living rooms around the world. Pre-orders will open very soon, offering readers a chance to hold in their hands the faces and stories that remind us: no matter where we come from, we all belong to the vibrant tapestry of Qatar.