NAME :
Roland Haddad.
OCCUPATION :
Photographer.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
Beirut.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
Dubai.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING :
8 years.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SHOOT :
Shooting Yousra, an Egyptian actress who’s considered an icon in the Arab world. I got to her hotel in downtown Dubai a bit early thinking she would be ready for the shoot. To my surprise, nothing was ready and she was still in her pajamas, yet she welcomed me in her suite and offered me coffee and we had a good chat. That small time with her inspired me to create beautiful pictures that fit her aura. The photos were so popular that she sent me a lengthy message through the stylist thanking me so much. This was like a moment of validation for me as a photographer that I am going in the right direction.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS INSPIRE YOU:
I particularly like the work of Tim Walker, Paolo Roversi, Nick Knight, Helmet Newton and Albert Watson.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY PHOTOGRAPHER ALIVE OR DEAD WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Elizaveta Porodina or Paolo Roversi. I really admire how they take lighting to another level and how they paint with it while creating jaw dropping photos.
WHAT IS YOUR CAMERA OF CHOICE :
I shoot with a Nikon Z8 but I was also happy before with Canon. I also use my phone on the go and love to test other cameras.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON AI AND THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY :
I think AI is definitely a game changer that we can not ignore, especially in the commercial aspect of our work. Some photographers are already marketing the idea of creating AI images for brands without shooting. Will we be made redundant in some way in the future? Maybe. But other aspects of our craft will strive. Photography is also about capturing the moments, the emotions and the unexpected and that’s up to the person behind the lens not a well-written algorithm.
IF YOU COULD PHOTOGRAPH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE :
Monica Belluci. Her campaigns with Dolce and Gabbana were very inspiring to me when I started as a photographer and as a photographer who likes doing beauty work, capturing someone iconic like her would be a dream come true.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Curious, Clumsy, Empathetic.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
Me being with parents on a beach, I think I was 3 years old, playing with sand and enjoying the waves.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID :
Quiet I would say. But I always liked to spend time alone exploring things, disassembling toys, reading, or even cooking with my mom. I pushed my dad to get me the first camera when I was 12. To this day, I do not know what drove me to do that but I feel in a way it was a calling.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
All things that are material in this world dont mean much to me. As long as I have my family and friends in good health around me, I’m happy and that’s the thing I would treasure the most.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Probably Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber. I love Jim Carrey so much and I think I’ve seen this movie like 10 times.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
The idea of time travel fascinates me so maybe that.
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
I tend to procrastinate. I want to scratch off more items from my to do list than I actually do..
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
When I’m overloaded with work and editing I get anxious. Also when the pipeline is dry I also get anxious.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
I had a fairly successful business career before I became a photographer. I was a banker, a consultant, an auditor, a translator and retail and f&b director. I think my greatest achievement was taking a step back from the security the corporate world offers and going with a blank slate towards something that I discovered that I am passionate about.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Yes, I like Tim Ferris, Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia. I also like listening sometimes to Joe Rogan when he has comedians on.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
When I’m overloaded with work and editing I get anxious. Also when the pipeline is dry I also get anxious.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
I had a fairly successful business career before I became a photographer. I was a banker, a consultant, an auditor, a translator and retail and f&b director. I think my greatest achievement was taking a step back from the security the corporate world offers and going with a blank slate towards something that I discovered that I am passionate about.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Yes, I like Tim Ferris, Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia. I also like listening sometimes to Joe Rogan when he has comedians on.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
Carbs, more specifically mashed potatoes or pasta. I can make a huge bowl and finish while watching a series.
WHAT’STHE BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
Ideas. Maybe a photographic style. But thats how we learn no?
YOU ARE HEADING TO THE ISS / INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, CHOOSE 4 PEOPLE TO TAKE A LONG :
Larry David to laugh with him, Michiu Kaku to explain the universe to me, Magnus Carlsen to teach me chess, Adele because I love her voice.
WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU LOOK LIKE :
An early breakfast at home, followed by a campaign or editorial shoot and ending on the beach for a walk and a laugh with a friend.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER WHO WOULD IT BE :
Deadpool.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
Conquering the fear that comes with the pressure to create is such a thrill. There’s always a pressure to create something new and beautiful and that makes us afraid in a way when we approach a certain job. I believe what we do requires a bit of courage and whenever we feel we’re doing something good, we are a bit happier in that moment and that for me is why I love being a photographer.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO TO WORK :
There would always be jobs we do for the money but I never didnt want to go to work. I love creating, whether I’m shooting eye lashes, a superstar or a bunch of kids jumping, I do it with all my heart.
PICK YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
i do not follow magazines so much anymore but I still like to pick up sometimes the National Geographic, the Economist and the Foreign Affairs magazine.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku. Such a great book written by such an amazing genius.
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE :
I gifted my friend cookies that were popular to us when we were kids.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
The creative process. Coming up with an exciting idea and bringing it to fruition with a talented team is a real driver for me.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Japan, for so many reasons that you will only understand when you visit this fascinating country.
YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
I dont particularly hate any place I visited. There’s something to see or someone we meet wherever we go.
WHATS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
Going to New Zealand, Doing stand up comedy again, Opening a fish restaurant on the beach.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
Yeah I do.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
I think when i was a kid, I used to remove wires and parts from toys. Once, I decided to plug them to the house electricity. There was a loud bang and luckily it was the breaker. Since then, I never came close to plugs.
IF YOU HAD A BOAT WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED :
Bumble Bee Tuna.
WHATS A PERSONAL MOTTO OR MESSAGE :
Dont be afraid of any opportunity, take it then figure out how to go about it.
