Omani photographer – who believes that photography is not just a hobby but a vast world of creativity – shines globally
Mahmoud bin Mohammed al Jabri, an acclaimed Omani photographer from Nakhal in South Batinah, continues to raise Oman’s profile on the international photography stage.
Recently, Jabri won the bronze medal in the Reflection category at PhotOlympic 2025 in St Petersburg, Russia, for his striking image Yellow Reflection, adding another prestigious accolade to his growing list of achievements.
For Jabri, this recognition is another milestone in a journey that began less than a decade ago. He bought his first camera in 2016, quickly immersing himself in workshops and courses. Within a year, he had made his mark on the global stage, winning the FIAP Gold Medal at the Queensland competition in Australia in 2017.
“That was when I realised photography was not just a hobby – it was a vast world of creativity,” he recalled.
Since then, his rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. Today, Jabri is regarded as one of Oman’s most prominent photographers, with more than 750 local and international awards to his credit.
His accolades include a Medal of Excellence at Dubai’s Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) in 2023, as well as four titles from the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), most recently the FIAP Silver Master medal.
Joint work
Reflecting on his early days, Jabri said the first photo that gave him confidence was an image of Nakhal Fort, which earned him second place in a local competition. “That was when I knew I could create works that enrich the photography scene,” he said.
What makes Al Jabri’s work stand out is his human lens. He gravitates toward portraits, travel photography, and candid moments that tell real stories. “I spend time with people before photographing them,” he explained. “It makes the photo a joint work, not just mine.”
One of his most memorable experiences came in Jammu and Kashmir, India, where he photographed a young girl named Nusrat. The image, taken when she was just three and a half years old, won him numerous accolades. A year later, he returned to the village, presented her family with a printed copy, and captured her again – this time documenting subtle changes of childhood.
Closer to home, his drone-shot of the Sharqiyah sands remains one of his most iconic works, capturing the grandeur of Oman’s golden dunes in Bidiyah. He has also drawn inspiration from cultural motifs, as seen in his portrait Jana, which portrays a young Omani girl in Sharqiyah adorned with henna and roses, embodying the timeless beauty of local traditions.
His bronze-winning Yellow Reflection continues this storytelling tradition. Shot in St Petersburg, the photograph captures the elegant arch of the General Staff Building mirrored in water. “The reflection represents my philosophy – a photograph is not just an image – it is a mirror of our emotions and our vision of the world,” he said.
But the road is not without challenges. Jabri admits that photographers in the Arab world still struggle against perceptions that “photography is just about pressing a button,” and the high cost of equipment and software. “Passion and determination,” he insists, “are the secrets to persistence.”
Looking ahead, Jabri dreams of holding a solo exhibition, publishing a book that documents cultures from around the world, and offering workshops to mentor the next generation.
His advice to young photographers is simple, “Don’t rush your shots. Let your photos reflect who you are, don’t just imitate others. Accept criticism positively, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Photography is not just a profession – it’s a way of life.”
