Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve empowers locals as storytellers through photography program

On World Photography Day, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve unveiled the completion of a six-month photography program designed to empower local staff members as environmental storytellers. This initiative aligns with the reserve's dedication to narrating the full story of the area— encompassing its natural landscapes, inhabitants, and cultural heritage—alongside continuous conservation efforts.

The program, overseen by CEO Andrew Zaloumis, transcends mere image capturing; it aims to document distinctive narratives and experiences within the reserve. By focusing on individual journeys, the program intends to foster social and environmental sustainability while presenting an authentic representation of the reserve.

The program kicked off by training 36 reserve employees in smartphone photography over a two-day session. Following this, thirteen graduates—comprising nine men and four women, including environmental inspectors, biologists, and community development specialists—were chosen for an advanced DSLR camera course. Led by acclaimed photographer Angela Buckland, the advanced course covered fundamental photography techniques, visual storytelling, exposure management, and lens selection.

Each participant received personalized guidance to help them cultivate their unique style and approach to storytelling.

Throughout the six-month program, participants documented various aspects of reserve life, including the reintroduction of native species such as the red-necked ostrich, Arabian hare, and Asian houbara bustard. Graduates like environmental inspector Abdullah Al-Huwaiti focused on capturing the essence of landscapes, wildlife, and the field work of inspectors.

Marine inspector Salma Aziz Al-Qusayr documented marine life, birds, and turtle nesting sites in the reserve's coastal regions. Director of Biodiversity and Research Ali Al-Faqih documented the reserve's ecosystems, including the remarkable sighting of the white-tailed eagle in Saudi Arabia after 20 years.

The graduates' works were showcased in exhibitions in Duba and Al-Wajh, alongside winning pieces from a school art competition that engaged over 1,000 local youth. The reserve has since integrated these photographs into its digital platforms. Looking ahead, the reserve is set to host a national photography exhibition in 2027 and intends to introduce a new training track for video production as part of its ongoing development programs.