Photographer Jaber Ali Al Marri discusses art, storytelling and the role of social media with FACT’s Homara Choudhary.

Qatar’s dynamic art and culture scene has exploded recently, especially ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with the launch of new exhibitions and public arts going on display every week. Home to some of the best museums and galleries in the Middle East, local artists have been given the opportunity to showcase their incredible work.

Jaber Ali Al Marri is an artist who fell in love with photography at the tender age of 10 when his parents bought him his first camera. The 28-year-old hasn’t looked back since and his unique talent has caught the eye of some of the industry’s biggest fashion houses, most notably Christian Dior, who he worked with on a recent perfume campaign.

Jaber said he was inspired by his parents who would take pictures of him and his siblings as children: “I remember my dad and my mother would take photos and videos of us as kids. It spiked my interest, how the older generation loved Polaroids and how they really attached their feelings to them. “In our digital age now, I feel the same. My Dad used to buy camcorders to shoot us and my mum always took pictures of us growing up. It sparked something in me. I wanted to document everything.”

Jaber said as he got older, taking photos became more than just a hobby, it became his passion but he had to be in the right mindset to take them: “I can only take photos when I am happy! It’s attached to happiness for me, I can’t take photographs when I am upset or sad.”

When asked what inspires him, Jaber answered: “Everything! My inspiration comes from everyday life, songs I’ve heard, movies I’ve seen, nature too. But most of all I like photographing moments. I am a huge fan of vintage photography. I love capturing emotions.

“I also have a fair collection of modern photographs, because that is what most people find appealing, but my personal favourites are abstract photos and vintage photography.” The young snapper doesn’t like to be put in an artistic box. He said he prefers to keep his style varied and enjoys being creative with the lens: “I do everything in photography. I photograph fashion, jewellery, food and, at the same time, I enjoy capturing people, their moods and moments.”

But Jaber explained it’s not just the subject of the lens that makes a great photograph, editing also plays its part: “It can convey certain emotions and feelings. Editing can enhance the photo. It’s the same in fashion, with editing you can make the picture pop more. It’s the same with product photography and portraits too.”

Jaber, who has a serious social media presence with 133,000 followers, said his Instagram page has something for everyone, and that his favourite subject is the moon: “The sky to me is absolutely fascinating. I have taken so many pictures of the moon and I also adore taking photos of clouds. I am a big fan of physics. I also studied mathematics but now I digress. I am basically a bit of a nerd!”

He is modest with his geekiness and puts his growing popularity down to living in a country where everyone loves a good photo: “Everyone here loves taking pictures in Qatar! But I like to take my photos with a professional Canon camera, although it’s the lens that is important.”

Jaber said his social media account initially began as an emotional outlet with spiritual quotes and poems in 2020. It became really popular and friends encouraged him to post his photos because he carried his camera with him. Everywhere. “I started with quotes and poems and then I transitioned into quotes with photos and now I post mainly photographs. My friends were the ones who prompted me to share my work.”

When he’s not shooting models or the moon, Jaber reveals some of his other passions: “I started studying the economy. I read a lot of books and my new love is cryptocurrency. I enjoy watching how it moves, how it’s heavily influenced by psychology and politics of course.”

But it’s not all about the economy. The bright young star also enjoys a good drama, especially if it’s been made by the American screenwriter, producer and author Shonda Rhimes. His favourites include: Bridgerton, Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy.

Jaber’s other idols include Steve Jobs and Stephen Hawking. Like the moon, there are many spheres to this extremely intelligent and talented photographer, a rising star in his own right. ✤