When Taking a Photo Becomes a Problem: Being a Photographer in the UAE

If you’re a photographer coming from Europe, you might be surprised by just how differently photography can be viewed in the UAE.

In Europe, I’m used to people generally being curious about a camera. Someone might notice you photographing a horse, a dog, a landscape or a beautiful moment and simply carry on with their day. Sometimes they’ll even ask to see the photograph.

Here in the UAE, I’ve learned to think about photography differently.

It’s not just about what I’m photographing.

It’s about where I am, who is around me, what is in the background, whether photography is permitted at that location, and whether someone could reasonably feel that their privacy is being compromised.

And honestly?

That’s something every photographer working in Abu Dhabi should take seriously.

Let’s clear something up first.

Photography isn’t simply “forbidden” in the UAE.

There are plenty of incredible places where photography is welcomed. Abu Dhabi is full of beautiful landscapes, beaches, desert locations, equestrian facilities, parks and architectural backdrops that are incredibly photogenic.

But there are also places where photography is restricted or prohibited, and individual venues can have their own photography rules.

The UAE’s official media guidance specifically includes respecting privacy and the private lives of individuals among its media content standards. Photography and imaging are also recognised as media activities under the UAE’s media regulation framework.

That means being a professional photographer here isn’t simply about having the right camera and knowing how to use it.

You also need to know when not to take the photograph.

And that’s an important distinction.

For me, one of the biggest adjustments hasn’t actually been finding beautiful places to photograph.

Abu Dhabi has plenty of those.

The bigger challenge can be people’s reaction to being photographed.

Coming from Europe, I’m used to photography being relatively casual in many everyday situations.

Here, someone noticing a camera can sometimes react very differently.

I’ve experienced situations where the reaction wasn’t curiosity, but immediate concern about privacy, complaints or even the mention of legal action.

And I understand why privacy matters.

A camera can feel very different when you’re the person standing in front of it.

What I might see as a photograph of a horse, a dog or a beautiful scene, another person might see as a photograph that happens to include them.

Those are two very different perspectives.

This is something I think photographers need to be particularly conscious of in Abu Dhabi.

Imagine you’re photographing a horse.

You’re concentrating on the horse’s expression, the light, the movement and the connection between the horse and its owner.

But behind them?

There are other people.

Someone walking past.

A family sitting nearby.

Another rider.

A person enjoying their afternoon.

From a photographer’s perspective, they might simply be part of the environment.

But that doesn’t automatically mean they want to appear in your photographs — or on your website or social media.

That’s why I pay attention to what’s happening around my subject, not just what’s happening in front of my lens.

A huge part of my work in Abu Dhabi is dog photography and horse photography.

And that can make things particularly interesting.

I’m usually photographing the animal.

I’m not there to photograph strangers.

I’m there to capture the relationship between a dog and their person, the personality of a horse, the movement of an animal, or those tiny moments that make someone’s relationship with their animal special.

But people can still enter the frame.

So I make a conscious effort to consider them too.

Sometimes that means changing my position.

Sometimes it means waiting.

Sometimes it means choosing a different angle.

And sometimes it means simply putting the camera down.

Because getting the shot isn’t more important than somebody’s privacy.

This is probably the most important thing I want people to know about me as a photographer.

I care about privacy.

If someone tells me they don’t want to be photographed, I respect that.

If I’m photographing an animal and another person is unintentionally entering the frame, I’ll consider whether I can photograph from another angle.

If a location has restrictions, I’ll follow them.

If I’m unsure whether photography is allowed, I’ll ask.

And if the situation doesn’t feel right?

I don’t take the photograph.

There is always another photograph.

There isn’t always another opportunity to make someone feel comfortable and respected.

This is particularly important if you’re visiting Abu Dhabi with a camera or you’re another photographer working here.

Don’t assume that because somewhere is a public space, anything goes.

Different locations can have different rules. Events, businesses, hotels, private properties and other venues may restrict photography or commercial photography.

Even Abu Dhabi’s own venue and visitor guidelines can specify where photography is permitted or prohibited.

And when people are involved, privacy becomes even more important.

The UAE’s legal framework also contains specific provisions concerning photographs and the publication or distribution of photographs of others, with exceptions and conditions depending on the circumstances.

So if you’re a photographer in the UAE, it’s worth doing your homework.

A beautiful location isn’t automatically a photography location.

And a photograph being technically possible doesn’t necessarily mean it should be taken or published.

When you book a dog photography session in Abu Dhabi or a horse photography session in Abu Dhabi with me, I don’t want you worrying about any of this.

That’s my job.

Before a session, I’ll think about the location, the environment and how we can create beautiful photographs while respecting the people around us.

My sessions are about you and your animal.

Your dog doesn’t need to perform.

Your horse doesn’t need to stand perfectly still.

And you don’t need to worry about strangers suddenly becoming part of your photographs.

I want the experience to feel relaxed, natural and respectful.

I think there’s sometimes a misconception that professional photography is simply about producing beautiful images.

Of course, that’s a huge part of it.

But being a professional photographer also means understanding boundaries.

It means knowing when to ask permission.

It means understanding your location.

It means respecting people who don’t want to be photographed.

And it means understanding that a camera gives you the ability to capture something  but that doesn’t always mean you should.

That’s especially important here in the UAE.

Ironically, having to think about these things has made me a better photographer.

I’m more aware of my surroundings.

I’m more conscious of what’s happening outside the frame.

I’m more deliberate about choosing locations.

I’m more careful about backgrounds.

And I’m much more aware that the person behind the camera isn’t the only person who matters.

Because photography isn’t just about seeing something beautiful.

It’s about how you choose to capture it.

And sometimes the most professional decision you can make is to wait, move, ask or put the camera away.

Absolutely.

And I’m incredibly grateful that I get to be one.

I get to photograph dogs running through the sand, horses in the desert, the relationship between an owner and their animal, and all those little moments that people want to remember.

From Abu Dhabi horse photography and equine portraits to dog photography in Abu Dhabi, my work is about creating photographs that feel genuine rather than staged.

But I also believe that beautiful photography shouldn’t come at the expense of somebody else’s privacy.

That’s something I take seriously in every session.

Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to be the photographer who got the perfect shot.

I want to be the photographer who created beautiful photographs while making everyone around me feel respected and comfortable.

And in a country where photography can sometimes come with more boundaries than I’m used to, I think that’s exactly how it should be.

Let’s create something you’ll love looking back on.