What do celebrities such as Ahlam, Haifa Wehbe, Majida Al Roumi, Nancy Ajram, Nawal Al Zoghbi and Ragheb Alameh have in common? Well, they have all been captured on film by Dubai-based photographer David Abdallah.
Just in case you think he is just another paparazzo, you are wrong. Abdallah has developed quite a few concept-driven photo shoots to support regional and international brand campaigns. Under this umbrella are the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy, Vogue, L’Oréal, Lancôme, Guerlain, Coca Cola, Pantene, Panasonic, LG and Sony Ericsson, to name but a few.
Abdallah, one of the well-known photographers in the region, was born in Beirut. “I was impatient to grow up as a child,’’ he says. “I think this was because I had witnessed war in my home country as a youngster.’’
To divert his attention from such issues, his father encouraged him to become involved in photography. “He would often take pictures of me and I enjoyed the attention,’’ says Abdallah.
His father also encouraged him to experiment with the camera and though he went on to study law at the Lebanese University, photography was his first and lasting passion.
His friends too encouraged his hobby and Abdallah soon became a regular at most weddings in his home town – as a photographer.
Recognising Abdallah’s talent, his parents agreed to his wishes when he announced that he wanted to make a career switch from law to photography. It turned out to be the right move. He was soon a much sought after photographer for leading fashion houses, beauty and jewellery brands, events and famous people. Abdallah’s work was also published in leading international publications when his photographic career took off in 1995.
“I celebrate the combination of art and light in every job I undertake. My work is an artistic representation that emphasises form and shape, mood and moment. I strive to capture that instance in which expression meets passion,” says the lensman who has set up his studio in Dubai. Friday met him to find out what makes him click.
I, ME, MYSELF
I have learnt to deal with different kinds of people. Throughout my career, I have studied people’s characters in order to allow me to strip away tension and capture the person as truthfully as possible. When they feel comfortable, the best results are guaranteed. This is one of the keys to a successful photo session and the hardest part about this job.
When photographing, I’m always on the lookout so I can capture the unexpected. Sometimes I look at the ordinary things and try to capture them in a unique way.
I like watching a good movie because it helps me relax. Movies directed by Steven Spielberg are great sources of inspiration for me.
I love handmade watches. I think it’s because I am fascinated by their complex manufacturing methodologies, their accuracy and, for the most part, sheer opulence. A watch to me is not a mere means to record the minutes and hours that make up our days; it reminds me of the value of time.
I believe that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. I try to stop these moments in their tracks by capturing them in my frames.
I have always believed that we can achieve more and get better results if we work as a team. When merging the expertise and efforts of qualified people, the results will always exceed expectations. I don’t like to dwell on the past; I want to live for the moment and cherish the now. I do appreciate the lessons that I have gleaned from the past, but I focus ahead and use those lessons to improve my future.
I clearly remember being six years old.
I was extremely naughty. A friend and I were playing on the balcony of our flat, which was on the sixth floor. In the course of our game, I scampered across the roof, slipped and fell. Fortunately, the neighbours on a lower floor had several laundry ropes extending from their balcony and they broke my fall. Nevertheless, I ended up with injuries that laid me up in bed for a month.
I am greatly influenced by photographer Patrick Demarchelier, a master of lighting and a genius when it comes to capturing people. When I read his biography and all the obstacles he had to go through to realise his dreams, I was even more fascinated. He travelled a rocky road for a very long time. But his passion gave him patience to keep doing what he loved until he succeeded. He became famous and a favourite of Hollywood and went on to become the exclusive photographer for Versace which he remained until he passed away.
His style and vision touched me. To me, he is the one of the greatest masters of photography.
I, ME, MYSELF
Me and my childhood
My dad encouraged me to experiment with the camera when I was young. When I grew up, I decided to study Law at the Lebanese University. It was here that I rediscovered my passion for photography. Thanks to motivation from a friend (a journalist), I developed my skills and techniques further. I was often asked by friends and family to cover weddings and I happily obliged. At the age of 24, I switch from law to photography.
Me and my camera
It is a part of me and is an integral part of my life. It captures the way I see the world. My camera is my tool to see clearly – almost like reading glasses. Everything focuses when I look through my viewfinder. I often return from holidays having done little sightseeing – I’m always preoccupied taking pictures.
Me and lighting
What you see in terms of hues and colours is attributed to light refraction. In my eyes, light gives meaning. The trick in photography is to imagine what the subject could look like before even picking up the camera. Imagination is the tool to enable one’s vision. I have learnt that the more you can control light to do what you need it to, the better you will be able to translate your vision in print.
I have an enduring thirst for creativity. My passion for photography combined with my experience in this field and my continued determination to improve are key to my success.
Me and celebrity clients
In the course of my career over the past 15 years, I have worked with many celebrities. My first celebrity client was former Miss Universe, Giorgia Rizk (1971). I photographed her for a Lebanese magazine’s cover after she returned to the limelight after 20 years.
I am pleased to have worked with celebrities such as Majida Al Roumi, Haifa Wehbe, Nancy Ajram, Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Azoghbi, Shireen Abdelwahab, Shams, Ahlam, Yara, Elissa, Rashed Al Majed, Abdallah el Roueished and many more.
I learn as much as possible about each celebrity’s likes, dislikes, habits, attitudes, tastes and personal style before I begin photographing them. I am really proud to say that I have developed a good relationship with some of them.
Me and my studio
I arrived in Dubai in September 2006 and have found photographing here to be one of the most interesting experiences in my career. Being in the Middle East has opened up new avenues for me. Working in Dubai has also been fantastic as well instrumental in enabling me to develop new business relationships.
I decided to set up my own studio here called Real Life. I spend more than 15 hours a day there, which makes it my second home. I hope to offer a range of superior services, including studio space, prepress for print design and production, costume hiring, modelling services as well as videography. In future I want the studio to cover weddings, corporate events and commercial as well as editorial assignments.
I am grateful to have tremendous support in the form of four specialised teams within the studio group. We have in-house stylists, make-up artists and hairstylists who have between them worked with various international brands, been involved in runway shows, various magazine shoots and even film. I aim for the highest degree of excellence.
I, ME, MYSELF
What has changed since you started your career in photography?
A lot has changed in the past 20 years, especially the time taken to conduct, coordinate and conclude a job. I have witnessed the major shift from analog to digital photography. I remember the days of developing film, scanning each negative and then spending hours retouching in the darkroom. Now, thanks to digital photography, I can achieve the perfect print in practically no time at all.
However, one thing that has not changed is the fact that many professional photographers still regard analog photography as the ultimate photographic art form.
How much do you depend on Photoshop?
Thanks to the advances in equipment, digital techniques now available and the progression in lighting techniques, there is not much Photoshop required in my work.
However, when photographs are retouched, we use the subtlest techniques possible.
It is important that my photographs remain natural and convey the authentic beauty of the models and locations. At times, Photoshop is required and at others, it is not; it is an option as opposed to a necessity. Either way, if it is used, it should be minimal and really subtle.
What is the most difficult photo shoot you have been involved with to date?
Any photo shoot that involves babies is tough for me in that they control the photo shoot. I have to do whatever they want to do rather than what I want them to do. For example, about ten years ago, when I was shooting the cover for Snob magazine, the child model kept crying all day long. So we had no other choice but to postpone the photo session to the next day. As a result, we had to re-organise everything. I had to pay the make-up artist and the rest of the crew for two days instead of one.
There is a lot you have to do to get a baby to be camera-friendly. I try to make him/her feel as comfortable as possible and keep the mother around for the entire shoot. I don’t want the child to be surrounded by strangers with nothing familiar to calm them.
I also try to get him/her used to the location so we arrive earlier than usual to orientate them.
How do you go about planning a wedding shoot?
The focus here is to capture the relationship between the bride and groom set against the backdrop of the wedding theme and mood, which also needs to be felt when looking at the images.
What lessons have you learnt through being a professional photographer?
I have learnt to be politely blunt and honest. I have also learnt to be persistent and firm when it comes to conveying my opinion if I feel something is not right or won’t work.
As a photographer, I strive to capture perfection – and I won’t settle for anything less.
