Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Roughly 20 years ago, Suaad Al Suwaidi picked up a camera for the first time, unaware she is going to make history as the first female Emirati and Arab wildlife photographer.
From the Serengeti to the savannahs of Kenya, Al Suwaidi has travelled across six or seven countries to capture elusive animals and untold stories.
Her most recent journey took her to Laikipia in northern Kenya in search of the rare black leopard, which few photographers have captured.
For Al Suwaidi, wildlife photography is not about chasing action or pressing a shutter, but earning presence in the wild to capture beauty.
The ground might be uneven, the air dry and thick with heat — yet she waits. She listens and blends in, with the camera poised.
“Sometimes, I wait just a few minutes; other times, it can take hours or even days. It all depends on the animal’s behaviour, the environment, and the story I want to tell,” Al Suwaidi told Aletihad in a recent interview.
Before heading to the field, she prepares with intention, carefully selecting her gear and undergoing physical training to build the stamina and resilience needed for the demanding nature of wildlife shoots.
“Equally important is preparing my mind. Patience and silence are crucial in the wild. I remind myself that nature moves at its own pace and that respect for the animals and their space always comes first,” Al Suwaidi said.
“Above all, I carry a deep sense of humility and gratitude into every shoot, knowing I’m entering a world that belongs to the creatures I seek to capture.”
She uses a minimal camouflage to blend in and avoid disturbing or stressing animals in their natural environment. “The goal is always to respect their space while capturing authentic moments.”
Growing up, this wildlife photographer recalls being petrified of domestic and tamed animals with more legs than her own.
“Yet somehow, when I stood before the big cats, an unexpected sense of belonging washed over me, as though my spirit was meant to dwell in a world alive with wild beings,” she said. “Strangely enough, being close to dangerous animals brings me a deep, unexplainable sense of peace.”
Al Suwaidi maintains that being among wildlife feels familiar, not extraordinary.
“In their silent strength, I see reflections of our own stories — love, struggle, survival,” she explained.
Al Suwaidi cited a verse from the holy Quran that continues to guide her: “There is not a moving [living] creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you.”
Unexpected Encounters
The challenges she faces while photographing wildlife only deepen her respect for nature and fuel her desire to keep exploring and learning.
“I stay inspired and curious because every moment in nature is different and full of surprises. No matter how many times I visit the same place, the light, the animals, and the stories unfolding are never exactly the same,” Al Suwaidi said.
One of her most memorable shots resulted from an unexpected encounter with two young cheetahs.
“One suddenly climbed a perfectly vertical tree, allowing me to capture a rare and unexpected moment,” she recalled. “It’s unusual to see a cheetah climb like that. I thought to myself, just like humans, when we free ourselves from mental limitations, we’re capable of achieving so much more.”
Her Ultimate Mission
Looking back on her career, Al Suwaidi expressed concern about the growing threats to wildlife, including climate change, habitat loss, and human expansion.
But seeing firsthand how quickly hearts and minds can shift when exposed to the beauty and fragility of the natural world, she remains hopeful.
“I believe there’s still time to make a difference,” Al Suwaidi said. “And that belief fuels my work.”
She believes photography is a powerful tool for conservation not because it educates, but because it evokes empathy and inspires action.
Through her work, she aims to give voice to the voiceless and remind people that the future of wildlife is intertwined with that of humanity.
“I want people to see that wild animals are not just creatures of instinct, but beings with stories, emotions, and struggles that often mirror our own,” she said.
“My goal is to capture moments that reveal the beauty, vulnerability, and strength of wildlife. I want my images to spark curiosity, raise awareness about conservation, and remind us all that we share this planet with incredible creatures whose survival depends on our choices.”
