When Reema Al-Harbi grabbed a camera for the first time, it was to break free from monotony, isolation, and the familiar routines of everyday life – a world that felt too small. The streets of Riyadh, full of corners she had passed like anyone else, suddenly came alive with colour, movement, and people who didn’t know they were starring in her story.
“I started photographing at a young age and my love and passion for discovering life were the greatest motivation,” she says. “A question always stayed with me: how could I uncover the details of life without going down into the street and understanding the culture of my city?”
Discovering the Self
In her devoted pursuit of documenting street life, Al-Harbi searches for the qualities that make this genre of photography distinct from other forms and subjects. The street holds countless details waiting to be explored, revealing stories that are impossible to forget. “Once I began photographing street life, I started to discover myself and my culture more deeply, and I was able to probe what takes place in the depths of the human soul,” she explains.
Discovering Art
Al Batha was where Reema Al-Harbi’s photographic journey truly began. The district’s richness in detail, architecture, and people made it the ideal starting point, especially since it differed so dramatically from the world she knew in her everyday life.
In Al Batha, her artistic eye expanded and she found exactly what she had been searching for: a world entirely different from the neighbourhood she came from. From there, Al-Harbi embarked on a exploratory journey through Riyadh’s districts and alleyways, searching for worlds beyond her own. This allowed her to break away from the conventional approaches often followed in photography.
Discovering Architecture
Al-Harbi is drawn to Riyadh’s older buildings, not necessarily renowned landmarks but structures around 50 years old. Her curiosity often takes her wandering through unfamiliar neighbourhoods for hours, seeking the perfect subject.
“My artistic vision depends greatly on the visual nourishment I have received, and on my understanding of the angles, scale, and nature of the building I want to capture. It’s impossible to ignore the importance of light in revealing a building in a different way; as the light changes, so does the final result of the image,” she says.
Discovering Life
Before taking up photography, Al-Harbi felt her perspective on life was narrow: “I used to see life through the eye of a needle. Once I picked up a camera and began exploring the streets in search of stories, the world opened up. My ideas of success and failure shifted, and I felt closer to the very essence of life. I noticed how the sun casts shadows on buildings and people, creating patterns and reflections, and I realised that this is real life, not the version shown on social media. Photography and my constant wandering through different neighbourhoods helped me reconnect with life, see its depth, and discover its essence.”
Discovering New Talent
For emerging photographers still finding their footing, Al-Harbi offers simple advice: be patient, stay curious, shed familiar routines, and welcome the unexpected. Adaptability and embracing fresh perspectives, she says, are key to lasting success.
All images provided with thanks to Reema Al-Harbi
@reemapho
