Omani Women Portraits
It was my first time visiting not only the Arabian Peninsula, but also the Middle East. Portrait is my new passion, and it is a great way to look through the culture I’m in. But I wasn’t sure if I could get much since I couldn’t speak Arabic and this was a totally new culture that I didn’t know much about. I knew especially it could be sensitive with women when it came to photography. With the help of wonderful Oman in Focus local team, we were able to get some great portraits through out the tour.
As I mentioned on my First Impressions of Oman post, Omani people surprised me with their wonderful hospitality and generosity. Most of the people we encountered welcomed us with big smiles and cheerful “Ah-salaam alaykum”. Different than other countries I’ve been, most of the people I met were men, at the market, at the beach, and at the stores. Markets full of elderly men; it is definitely a new culture.
But my favorite was capturing Omani women and their lives. It was such a privilege to even had a chance to photograph women in their traditional clothes. I asked many women and girls in the villages, but the opportunity was quite limiting with the language barrier and the character of the culture. We met most of the women at the welcome festival at Bait al Sarah (a village in Al Hamra), and Wahiba Sands.
Amazing photographs! I’m currently in Abu Dhabi, although sadly heading back to Scotland tomorrow. I admired the traditional dress here from afar and didn’t quite muster up the courage to ask to take some photographs of the women, although I hope to on my next visit. It’s really lovely that you have captured the culture and tradition on your visit!
I was following your trip through Oman on Instagram and was really hoping you would publish a photo post like this after your trip. These are amazing photos Juno. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful images, Juno. I especially love portraits as well. The expressions in the eyes are what draw me in the most.
I love these shots. Wonderful use of light too! My favourite is the one of the girl with the silver headpiece, closer to the top, almost a profile shot. Stunning.
These took my breath away, bravo!!!!
These are beautiful images!
These are gorgeous portraits in wonderful color! Makes us want to visit Oman even more!
Beautiful photos. So colourful. Portraits are some of favourite types of photography as well.
Juno, your photography just gets better and better. You have a gift! I need to work on portraiture — I’m so shy!
Such amazing images! Great work.
Beautiful photos!
Some really good photos here 🙂 Great stuff!
These are such fantastic photos! The women and their outfits are all so beautiful.