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

Coinciding with World Photography Day, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has concluded a six-month intensive photography skills program, aimed at empowering local staff to become storytellers of the reserve’s environmental conservation efforts.

The program reflects the reserve’s commitment to telling the full story of the region—its land, sea, people, and culture—alongside ongoing environmental preservation initiatives.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zaloumis explained that the program goes beyond showcasing images of the reserve, focusing instead on documenting unique stories and adventures. The photographs taken by local participants capture their individual experiences and journeys, serving as a catalyst for social and environmental sustainability and helping to create an authentic image of the reserve.

The program began by training 36 reserve team members in smartphone photography over two days. Thirteen graduates (nine men and four women), including environmental inspectors, biologists, and community development specialists, were then selected for an advanced DSLR camera course under the supervision of renowned photographer Angela Buckland.

The training covered technical photography foundations, visual culture, exposure control, and lens selection, with personalized guidance to help each participant develop their own style and storytelling approach. Over six months, participants documented daily life and heritage in the reserve, as well as major conservation achievements such as the reintroduction of the red-necked ostrich, Arabian hare, and Asian houbara bustard.

The program highlighted the experiences of several graduates, including environmental inspector Abdullah Al-Huwaiti, who focused on documenting landscapes, wildlife, and the fieldwork of inspectors. Marine inspector Salma Aziz Al-Qusayr, who patrols the coastal areas of Duba, contributed by capturing images of marine species, birds, and turtle nesting sites.

Ali Al-Faqih, the reserve’s Director of Biodiversity and Research, documented the ecosystems and in 2025 recorded the first sighting of the white-tailed eagle in Saudi Arabia in over 20 years. He noted that the reserve is home to exceptional ecosystems with unique biodiversity, which should be appreciated and protected for future generations. He emphasized that photography is an effective way to showcase this beauty and share it with the world.

Participants’ works were exhibited in Duba and Al-Wajh, alongside a display of winning entries from a school art competition that drew over 1,000 young local talents. The reserve has also begun sharing the photographs on its digital platforms.

The reserve is now preparing to host a national photography exhibition in 2027 and plans to introduce a new training track for video production as part of its development programs.