Muhammed Fadhi
NAME :
Fadhi Muhammed.
OCCUPATION :
Photographer, Visual Director.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
India.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
Bahrain.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING PICTURES :
Over a decade, and somehow, every shoot still teaches me something new.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SHOOT :
Too many to pick just one. I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to travel and capture diverse faces, places, and stories with my camera, and each one holds a piece of my heart. Be it parts of the UK, India, Egypt, or Turkey, all have their place. Photographing the stunning design of Obicà Bahrain, created by the brilliant Mohamed Al Qari and featured in Architectural Digest, or documenting the historic Pearling Path for BACA, both were unforgettable. But it’s not always the big commissions that stay with you. Sometimes, it’s the fiery Bahrain sunrises that stop you in your tracks. Or chasing light across the old rooftops of Kayseri, Turkey, moments that feel cinematic even in real time. And then there’s Spiti Valley. Towering at over 3,000 meters, wild and silent, it was one of the most surreal and humbling places I’ve ever photographed. Something about that thin air and vast emptiness shifted something in me. It’s a shoot I’ll never forget.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS INSPIRE YOU :
I’m fortunate that some of the photographers who inspire me most are also close friends. Ishaq Madan is someone to watch out for in the region his ability to tell layered, emotionally resonant stories within a single frame is powerful. Mustafa Bastaki’s bold black-and-white compositions and Matt Wardle’s thoughtful, minimalist approach constantly challenge me to refine my own vision. Internationally, I’ve always been drawn to the quiet brilliance of Vivian Maier, the emotional depth in Steve McCurry’s portraits, and the vibrant, surreal chaos of David LaChapelle. Each one reminds me that photography is a language with countless dialects and that voice, intention, and perspective matter just as much as technique.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY PHOTOGRAPHER ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Steve McCurry. I’d love to sit with him and understand how he captures so much emotion in a single frame.
WHAT IS YOUR CAMERA OF CHOICE :
Sony Alpha series for the heavy-duty jobs. iPhone as a more portable and quicker option, I’m also close to ordering a Ricoh GR4 when it becomes available.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON AI :
AI’s not going anywhere, it’s already here. The key is learning how to use it meaningfully, staying informed, and building systems around it that are safe and ethical. Like any tool, it’s all in the intent.
IF YOU COULD PHOTOGRAPH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE :
Freddie Mercury and Zaha Hadid are two forces of nature, unapologetically original.
WHEN DID YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST PHOTOGRAPH :
When I was 17, wandering the streets of Abu Dhabi. I took a photo, uploaded it, and someone bought it. That was the moment it clicked, maybe I really could do this.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
Walking through the souq with my father, absorbing the colors and the energy. Also, someone once taught me how to make a ball out of leaves, no clue how to do it now, though.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
The people around me, my parents, my brothers, friends, and chosen family. They’ve been the backbone through everything. That kind of support? You can’t put a price on it.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Maybe a young Kal Penn? Not entirely sure, but give him tired eyes, a beard, and thoughtful pauses, and he’s close.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
Teleportation. No traffic, no delays, and the freedom to drop into any place on Earth for inspiration (or food).
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
I overthink and often underestimate myself, habits I picked up from being in a toxic environment. But I’m working on it. Progress over perfection.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
Honestly, my phone and a brain that loves throwing ideas at me the moment I try to sleep.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT:
At 30, I’ve built a life I’m proud of. I have shelter, community, and a body of work that has been featured, exhibited, and respected and that’s something I’m truly grateful for. Looking back, the greatest achievement isn’t any project or milestone it’s the love I’ve given and received. Having a community and social circles that root for you and stand by you is a rare and beautiful blessing.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Joe Rogan, I know, I know. But I enjoy the range. One day it’s astrophysics, the next it’s MMA. Keeps things fresh.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
Roosi from Al Jabriya Restaurant. Pure comfort in a wrap.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
A pair of Wayfarers from the Louvre gift shop. And maybe a suspiciously long look at the Mona Lisa.
YOU ARE HEADING TO THE ISS — CHOOSE 4 PEOPLE TO TAKE ALONG :
A real astronaut (we’ll need someone who knows what they’re doing), my parents (they absolutely deserve it), and my girl Sarah, I couldn’t imagine a trip like that without her.
WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU LOOK LIKE :
Wake up early, get a good workout or a football match in, then head into a creative shoot or wander with my camera. Add coffee, great food, and a loud dinner with the crew, and make sure there’s no editing at the end of it.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD IT BE :
Somewhere between Vegeta and Chandler. One would keep me sharp, the other would keep me laughing.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
The access. The people I meet, the places I go, the stories I get to tell, all of it made possible because I carry a camera.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO TO WORK :
Of course. On those days, I give myself the day off. Creative boundaries matter too.
PICK YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
National Geographic, Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Traveller, Assouline, TIME.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson, a gift from a dear friend. It’s a quiet reminder of what photography can be.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE :
An iPhone. Functional and appreciated.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
The idea that my work might outlast me and that it could move people, shift perspectives, or even just be remembered. I believe in how I see things. If others do too, that’s all I could ask for.
WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
A mix of destinations and milestones, Japan and Iceland are high on the travel list for their surreal landscapes and distinct cultures. I want to push my creative boundaries further through meaningful, large-scale projects that resonate beyond visuals. Continued features in international publications, collaborations that challenge me, and growing my presence both regionally and internationally are all part of the journey I’m aiming for.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
Usually, I find interviews repetitive and surface-level. But this one’s been refreshingly thoughtful, more like a conversation than a checklist. So yes, this one? I genuinely enjoyed it.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
More than a few times. Getting lost on a freezing high-altitude trek in Spiti Valley with no signal or clear path, jumping off a spooked horse mid-gallop in the Egyptian desert, and navigating mountain roads during sudden flash floods, each of these moments reminded me how thin the line can be between chasing adventure and crossing it. And yet, I’d do it all again (maybe just a little more cautiously).
IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED :
SS Hope. Because wherever you go whether it’s across oceans or through life — it’s something you should carry with you.
WHAT’S A PERSONAL MOTTO OR MESSAGE :
What goes around, comes around. Do your thing. Be good. Break barriers. And most importantly, stay human. In a world racing forward, that’s still the most powerful thing you can be.
