{
  "id": 1754231,
  "title": "Her PhotoClub empowering women to tell stories through the lens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/her-photoclub-empowering-women-to-tell-stories-through-the-lens",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:02:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/08/2026/her-photoclub-empowering-women-to-tell-stories-through-the-lens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On World Photography Day, Qatar-based Her PhotoClub is spotlighting the transformative power of photography to empower women. Founded in November 2025 by Romana Taj and Nazma Mazhar, the community provides an inclusive space where women can learn, share, and express themselves through the visual medium. Taj, originally from India, and Mazhar, originally from Sri Lanka, met on Instagram through their shared passion for photography despite their different national backgrounds.\n\nTaj is a graphic designer, mother, and content creator, while Mazhar is a social activist, henna artist, and another content creator. They envisioned a platform where women could freely pursue photography without intimidation, leading to the creation of Her PhotoClub. The club has since become a notable women-focused photography community in the region.\n\nThe initiative's message is particularly relevant on World Photography Day, celebrated annually on August 19 to honor photography's role as an art form and a powerful means of communication. The club organizes photowalks, workshops, themed shoots, and creative challenges to foster skills in composition, lighting, perspective, and storytelling. Importantly, accessibility to photography is emphasized, with many workshops offered for free and covering both professional cameras and mobile photography.\n\nBeyond technical skills, Her PhotoClub helps members build confidence in their creative abilities, experiment with new techniques, and connect with like-minded women. Photowalks encourage participants to observe Qatar's diverse surroundings—streets, architecture, food, nature, and daily life—documenting the country's changing landscape through photography.\n\nThe club serves as a platform for community building and creative expression, fostering women's participation in the arts. On this day, Her PhotoClub highlights photography's role in preserving history, promoting cultures, communicating emotions, and shedding light on underrepresented stories. Ultimately, it underscores that the most impactful images aren't necessarily technically perfect; they communicate a unique perspective and tell a compelling story.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: As the world marks World Photography Day, Qatar-based Her PhotoClub is highlighting the power of photography to connect women from diverse backgrounds, develop creative skills and transform everyday moments into compelling visual stories.</p> <p>Launched in November 2025, Her PhotoClub has grown into a vibrant photography community dedicated to providing women with an accessible…",
  "key_points": [
    "Her PhotoClub empowers women through photography on World Photography Day.",
    "Founded by Romana Taj (India) and Nazma Mazhar (Sri Lanka) in November 2025.",
    "Offers free workshops, photowalks, and creative challenges to build skills and confidence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}