EMIRATI PHOTOGRAPHER SALMA AL SUWAIDI WINS THE ‘PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTENT CREATOR’ AWARD
Her 14-year book on birds has been praised by His Highness the Vice President of the UAE
The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has announced the second Special Award winner of their Thirteenth Season themed ‘Sustainability’. Emirati photographer Salma Ali Al Suwaidi has been honoured with the ‘Photography Content Creator’ Award, a category that includes a US $50,000 prize. This award celebrates editors, publishers, bloggers, promoters, influential researchers, and innovators who have made a significant and positive impact on the world of photography, enriching it with valuable insights and creativity. The 13th Season winners will be revealed in the coming days, and all the awardees will be celebrated at a grand ceremony at the Museum of the Future in Dubai on November 12, 2024.
His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Community Protection and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HIPA, expressed his happiness at the presence of Emirati female innovators who are breaking barriers and making history through their outstanding achievements. He praised Salma Al Suwaidi’s accomplishment as a holistic one, reflecting artistic, national, scientific and environmental significance. He also noted that these pioneering figures serve as an inspiring model for future generations, embodying the potential to achieve the extraordinary.
His Excellency Ali Khalifa Bin Thalith, Secretary General of HIPA, stated, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Emirati photographer Salma Al Suwaidi on this well-deserved honour. Her dedicated efforts and unwavering determination in studying and documenting the wildlife and bird species of the UAE resulted in her invaluable encyclopedic book. This remarkable work stands as a significant national achievement and a vital research reference, offering numerous benefits to our understanding of the natural world.”
Bin Thalith added: “The ‘Photography Content Creator’ Award was established to recognise exceptional photographic contributions that enrich the artistic and cultural library, benefitting photographers, readers, researchers and enthusiasts alike, who wish to delve into the visual arts. Salma’s book ‘Common Birds and Their Nests in the United Arab Emirates’ is considered as a pioneering artistic project and a significant scientific resource to many other fields. It has earned high praise from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, who described its author as “a passionate photographer whose dedication has led her to explore nature and document the avian life of the UAE.”
Bin Thalith concluded: “One of HIPA's main goals is to support and honour national talent while inspiring the public to follow their example. Founded by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HIPA seeks to elevate UAE's creative visual artists in the global photography industry. Salma Al Suwaidi perfectly represents this mission and the achievements it aims to inspire.”
Salma Al Suwaidi shared her thoughts on winning the award: “Winning any prize is a recognition of a photographer’s work, but winning the special awards has a greater and higher moral value than any other. HIPA’s Photography Content Creator Award not only honours photographic skill and visual content, but also seeks the added value that photographers contribute. I found the HIPA team's research on my work to be incredibly thorough and meaningful. My advice to fellow photographers is to pursue their passion wholeheartedly, but to go beyond just visual appeal. They should strive to incorporate a scientific, investigative, or documentary element that hasn’t been explored before, as that is where true value lies.”
Salma added: “Wildlife photography is simple yet challenging; its subjects refuse to perform on cue, resulting in authentic and honest images. Bird photography, in particular, demands even more patience. My years of work have deepened my interest in these mostly peaceful creatures, driving me to research and provide scientific reference material for enthusiasts, thereby adding documentary value to my artistic endeavours.”
“I want to share my optimism for the future of creative individuals in our beloved country. I have been fortunate to receive the support and encouragement of our father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The honour from the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award has further reinforced this noble support, instilling confidence in a bright future for all creatives, both citizens and residents of this great land.”
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTENT CREATOR AWARD
SALMA ALI AL SUWAIDI | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Salma Ali Al Suwaidi, a passionate wildlife photographer from the United Arab Emirates, began her journey in 2008 with a deep focus on bird photography. Her dedication to capturing the intricate beauty of birdlife has earned her membership in prestigious organizations such as the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and the Union of Arab Photographers (UAP). Her talent has been recognized with numerous awards, including a prestigious gold medal in the 2011 FIAP Emirates Photography Competition in the ‘Arab Image’ category.
An avid birdwatcher, Salma’s expertise extends beyond photography. She has authored and photographed the book ‘Common Birds and Their Nests in the United Arab Emirates’, a monumental project which took her 14 years to complete. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, commended her dedication in the book’s introduction, celebrating her passion for documenting the natural world. To complete this work, Salma travelled across all the seven emirates, including challenging locations, to photograph and study bird species in their natural habitats.
Salma's commitment extends to the global birdwatching community, where she has contributed over 300 bird species to her eBird checklists, ranking among the top 100 eBirders in the UAE.
Despite physical challenges, Salma navigates demanding environments with heavy equipment, showcasing remarkable perseverance - exploring remote and difficult environments to document birds' life cycles, from eggs to fledging. She aims to raise environmental awareness through her work, highlighting the importance of conservation. Her future plans include publishing more books on the UAE's wildlife, with a vision to inspire others to appreciate and protect nature.