Mountains and Wadis

Just 1-2 hours from central Dubai are these gorgeous rocky mountains that serve as the perfect backdrop for your photographs! These locations are especially meaningful if you are an adventurous family. Water accumulates in these wadis into small ponds and streams when it rains which looks beautiful in photographs!

Location 1

Location 2

Souq Madinat Jumeirah

Madinat Jumeirah Souq is right next to the most marvelous resort properties in Dubai. So you don’t just get to roam around the old Arabian-style architecture of the mall but also get to be photographed around the gorgeous greenery surrounding the resorts. Early morning (around 8 am) or an hour and a half before sunset is the perfect time to shoot here.

Dubai Creek Harbour

Not only do you get the iconic Burj Khalifa in the background, but there’s so much more! Imagine your family in front of this modern harbour, with boats cruising by. Parks and walkways provide the perfect spot for capturing candid moments of your little adventurers exploring, and the mix of contemporary and traditional creates a stunning and unique backdrop! During the winter season, parking might be hard to get so make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the session time.

Old Dubai (Al Fahidi and Al Seef)

Want to go somewhere very traditional? Head to Al Seef and Al Fahidi! These historic neighborhoods are like stepping onto a movie set. Imagine your family strolling along the narrow alleyways lined with traditional wind towers and beautifully restored houses. This location is perfect for families who want a cultural experience. I generally shoot here early morning or about 2 hours before sunset.

Desert

Dunes

For adventurous families, head over to the Al Qudra Desert. The golden hues of the sand at sunset will create a truly magical backdrop for your family portraits. Explore the sand dunes, run around the edge of the Al Qudra lakes, or just relax and enjoy the breathtaking desert scenery while I create gorgeous photographs for you!

Lakes

Mini forest

Deira Spice Souq

Try heading out to the Deira Spice Souq if you would like a more documentary-style, adventurous and exploratory session with your littles. I would suggest you do this if your kids are at least 8 or 9 years old because any younger and they wouldn’t really be interested in their surroundings much.

Park

Dubai has a variety of parks where we can do a family photoshoot if you prefer to have natural greenery instead of buildings in your photographs. Most of them require a permit to shoot at which can get very tricky as the rules keep on changing. Dubai Hills Park is one I love shooting at. Many times a park in your community can be the perfect location as we can start the session in your home and end it at the local park.

Dubai Beach

One of my favorite beaches to shoot at was the Sufouh beach. But since it closed in 2023, I recommend doing family sessions at the Kite beach. There is still a partial faraway view of the Burj Al Arab and the beach itself is the least crowded one in Dubai at the moment. For the classic full Burj Al Arab view, I would suggest that you book a room at one of the resorts next to Souq Madinat Jumeirah. That would give you access to the beach right next to the Burj for those gorgeous classic Dubai photos! An hour before sunset is the perfect starting time for a photoshoot at the beach.

Downtown Burj Khalifa views

Expo 2020

Oasis in Al Ain

Al Madam Ghost Village

Studio in Dubai Hills

If you would like an in home vibe but don’t want to shoot in your own home, then you can opt for a session at this natural light studio in Dubai Hills. I typically shoot there around 10 or 11 am for the best light.

Your Home in Dubai

Want a very intimate photoshoot that captures your little ones in the place they are growing up in? An in home session is the perfect choice for this! I’ve shot in very dark homes and homes with huge windows and bright rooms and can say with certainty that any kind of home can be the perfect backdrop for capturing the genuine connection and love between your family members! Generally, mornings around 10 or 11 am is the best time for in home sessions but we can shoot at other times as well.

I hope this little location guide was super helpful for you! And if you would like to book a family photoshoot within the next few months, reach out to me here.

As a parent of an almost 8-year-old, I know this nostalgic longing will hit me once she is all grown up and perhaps no longer living with me. Scratch that!! I can already feel an overwhelming sense of saudade as I think about her toothless grin upon seeing her Eid gifts in the years past. Or thinking about her skipping from one room to the next, bubbling with joy, barefooted. You know what I mean, right?! We pine for what’s never going to be again!

But here’s the thing: photographs – authentic, natural, non-posey photographs – have a way of making us live through our experiences again and again and again.

So, as you read this, whether you are living in the UAE or traveling the world making fresh memories with your loved ones, do think about this word and whether you would like to commit to keeping a photographic record of what makes your little ones unique. Because if you have those photographs, it is so much easier to keep coming back to the memories whenever Saudade hits!

And if you would like to book a lifestyle or documentary family photoshoot with me to help with that, please feel free to contact me to check my availability.

P.S. Below is a micro-story from a documentary family photoshoot in Dubai I recently shot. It documents a princess tea party that took place on this family’s balcony in Palm Jumeirah. I particularly adore how the littlest ones went off to one side to sneak some fairy bread to her dog!! (More from this session here). Also, if you’re wondering what fairy bread is, here’s a short video you can watch with your kids and make some yummy, sweet, 2 min snack that the kids would adore!

With its narrow alleys, traditional architecture, and wind towers, Bastakiya and Al Fahidi take you on a time travel adventure. With the restored houses, charming wooden doors, and elaborate walls all around you, a sense of nostalgia will take root. Imagine capturing moments of love, connection, and just pure joy in the quiet courtyards. It really truly is an escape from the modern world and the perfect setting for memorable family photos!

Don’t just take my word for it though! I’ve picked out a bunch of client galleries that have been taken in these neighborhoods, so you can get a glimpse of the fantastic spots they’ve been to. Just click the links and you’ll be transported to Old Dubai:

Family session with a baby

Extended family session during their vacation together in Dubai

Family session with teenagers

Couple photoshoot

Family session with 3 kids under 10

Solo traveler session

Maternity session

Family session with twins and a baby

Extended family reunion session

Ready to book your family session or have any questions? Reach out to me on WhatsApp here!

Here are five reasons why you, as a new mum in Dubai, should invest in a family photoshoot:

Cherish memories for a lifetime

Family photos are a lasting reminder of the love, laughter, and joy of your growing family. These images will preserve this special time in your life (in this place Dubai, that you call home right now) and allow you to look back on them with fond memories for years to come. And the best part? They’ll also serve as a legacy for future generations, allowing you to share your family story with loved ones.

Document your baby’s growth with a family photoshoot

Babies grow so fast, and before you know it, they’ll be crawling, walking, and talking. Booking a professional family photoshoot will preserve those early moments, making sure you have a record of their growth and milestones. These images will be a cherished keepsake of your baby’s early years.

Show off your love and pride

Family photos aren’t just for you, they’re also a way to show off your new bundle of joy to friends and family. Display your love and pride for your growing family by showcasing your family photos in your home or sharing them on social media.

A lasting keepsake

Family photos make amazing keepsakes and gifts, and a professional family photoshoot is the perfect opportunity to capture images you can use to create custom gifts for family and friends. Whether you choose to print them out, create photo albums, or display them on canvases, you’ll have a lasting keepsake that you’ll treasure for years to come. (Check out my print shop here)

A fun and relaxed family photography experience

A family photoshoot with me is a fun and relaxed experience that allows you to take a break from your busy life as a new mum and lets you enjoy some quality time with your family. I work with you to create a photoshoot tailored to your family’s needs and personality. During the photoshoot, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with your family, play together, and create memories that will last a lifetime. With the years of experience that I bring to your session and a photoshoot experience parents rave about, you’re sure to love your family photos!

Family photography is a powerful tool that allows you to capture memories, document growth, and celebrate your growing family. Don’t miss this opportunity to preserve this special time in your life – book your family photoshoot today and create memories that you’ll cherish forever. Reach out to me here.

Mohammed bin Rashid Library

This library is a beautiful place to spend a few hours at. The architecture is amazing and you’ll find yourself taking photographs of the interior and the exterior for memories. The building itself is split up into different sections including a children’s room (with an indoor play area), a young adult’s room, a map room, a periodicals room, a media and art room, and more.

Do make sure to book a time slot in advance here before visiting. And check the rules on their website. Kids under 5 years old are not allowed in and as it is a government building, a modest dress code is required. Meaning the shoulders should be covered and the dress shouldn’t be above the knees. Oh and no shorts for men.

Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Even if you’ve already been, your kids will still enjoy visiting this place. You can opt for a different encounter or an experience every time you go. Book your tickets in advance here.

Dubai Garden Center

Buying plants is one of my favorite things to do and kids generally love being involved in this. Roam around the Dubai Garden Center on Sheikh Zayd Road. Let your little ones choose a little flower pot or a plant seedling that they can take back home and take care of as it grows bigger over the months. Make sure to ask one of the many knowledgeable staff members there about how to take care of the plant over time. Oh, and they also have a beautiful little cafe perfect for when the little ones eventually get hungry!

Escape Hunt

Book a mystery adventure at Escape Hunt. Strap your baby in a carrier and bring them along too! I took my kid along when she was about a year old and then again when she was 6 and we all had fun both times.

Infinity des Lumières

Spend time at the Infinity des Lumières at Dubai Mall and let the kids explore the immersive experience on their own. It is quite dark inside so you might want to keep an eye on them in case they wander off.

Do you know of any good indoor places to visit with kids during the summer? Let me know here and don’t forget to subscribe here to get all the latest news about my photoshoots and offers.

Honestly, the only thing that really matters is that you and your loved ones are living in it and you call it home. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when you are not sure if an in-home session would be suitable for you or not:

1. Do you have windows, and natural light coming into at least one or two rooms in your home?
2. Would you be ok with moving around a few things during our photoshoot if required? This could include a center table, clutter on a bedside table, wires etc.
3. Do you have a bed, sofa, chairs, etc where I can position you all for photos?
4. Do you trust me to guide you around the house/apartment for the best possible photographs?
5. Are you willing to have photos of your family in the space you currently call home?

If you said yes to all of the above then yes, an in-home family photoshoot would be perfect for you! (Head over here to see photos from a session where the apartment was not very bright at all but we managed to get beautiful photographs by staying next to the windows. Or here to see photos from a session where the rooms we were shooting in were not very big but that didn’t stop us!).

The only thing I would ask you to do is a general cleanup of the house (Urban Company is a great app for scheduling a one-time clean-up service before the photoshoot). If there’s still anything that needs to be tucked behind a sofa or hidden under the bed for a particular photo, I’ll let you know!

So, if you’re excited to get a record of your family in your current home, tell me all about it here and we can set up a time for a photoshoot.

A:

Abra Ride: Take a 1 aed Abra ride from Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station and explore the winding streets of the Spice Souq
Aquarium: Explore the largest indoor aquarium located in Dubai Mall: Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Art Galleries: The LuxxArt DXB
Ain Dubai
Al Rawabi Dairy Company tour: Book a free visit here
Allo Beirut: Dine at one of the best Lebanese street food places in Dubai

B:

Buhais Geology Park
Beach: So many to choose from!
Burj Khalifa: At the top
Barbecue in the Al Qudra desert

C:

Couples massage: At the Anantara Spa or Talise Spa
Comedy Night at Courtyard Playhouse
Cooking class at Culinary Boutique: Book different classes here

D:

Doors: Amazing steaks at this fine dining restaurant in Al Seef
Dinner in the sky: Check out their Instagram here
Dubai Garden Center: Have a stroll through the Garden Center, pick up a plant or two, or a book at the little old book shop, and end with a bite at the cafe

E:

Escape Rooms: Escape Hunt or Hint Hunt are great options
Eggspectation
Etihad Museum

F:

Fishing Trip
Footgolf at Address Montgomerie

G:

Global Village
Gong meditation at Illuminations

H:

Helicopter ride
Hatta honey bee farm
History of Cinema Museum

I:

Infinity des Lumières
Chillout Ice Lounge
Innovation center at the Solar Park

J:

Jam Jar (Painting session)
Jazirat Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah: The former abandoned Al Zaabi village

K:

Kite beach center in UAQ

L:

La Perle
Louvre

M:

Movie night: Under the stars in Wafi Mall
Museum of illusions
Mangrove Kayak at Quest for adventure, Ajman
Museum of the future
Maleiha village
Madame Tussauds Dubai

N:

Netflix and popcorn at home
Nineties brunch at Meydan Hotel
Nineties at Embratoor Cook

O:

Opera House

P:

Photoshoot: A casual, connective maternity photoshoot by me! For more info head here

Q:

Quiz night at Reform Social and Grill
QE2: Book a romantic dinner on the cruise ship

R:

Ras al Khor wildlife sanctuary
Rain room Sharjah

S:

Speedboat ride
Salt lakes in Abu Dhabi
Sketch Art Cafe
Selfie Museum Dubai

T:

Tee and Putt mini golf
Turtle Beach Bar
The View at the Palm

U:

UAE flower farm, Masafi (Google map coordinates: 25°24’23.8″N 56°09’00.2”E)

V:

Vibe cafe

W:

Workshop Dubai: Look out for the workshops offered at The Workshop Dubai

X:

XVA Hotel

Y:

Yadawei Ceramics Studio for pottery classes

Z:

Zookeeper experience at The Green Planet

I’ll keep adding to this alphabet dating list and if you have some good suggestions, DM me on Instagram here. I would love your input!

Baby shower crates by Cratefulmomuae:

These personalized crates made by Mehreen, are perfect for baby showers. You can easily decide which items you want to gift your friend and also choose a theme for the crate based on her interests. I like my gifts to be big and plentiful and if your friend is anything like me, she will looove these!

Cratefulmomuae also provides personalized onesies for the little one, big brother/sister shirts for the proud siblings, coffee mugs for the new tired parents, matching grandparent mugs, mom fuel water bottle, personalized soft toys for the little one, personalized bibs, booties, wood round for the baby’s nursery, baby milestone stickers for baby onesies till year 1 and much more.

Kathryn Jones Serums:

KJ serums are quite popular for skin and hair rejuvenation among mums in the UAE. The products are made from fresh ingredients and have a life of 4-6 weeks which makes them super potent and effective. I’ve used the Trilogy day, Skin karma, and Happyface together and loved how effective they were in toning the skin.

These products would make excellent gifts for mom-to-bes. According to Kathryn, “HA-ppy Face, HydraSilk, Squalane would all be good choices for pregnant mums. These are all mild and hydrating for the skin.”

Make sure you order these well in advance as these products are made from fresh ingredients and are delivered during certain days of the month.

Vanya’s Closet:

Their tagline of “Meticulously Sourced, Beautifully Curated and Handmade” could not be more accurate. Their adorable outfits will make you want one for yourself! The colors are very beautifully paired together, the designs are natural and timeless and the mum you gift these clothes to will be super happy. I also spotted some gender-neutral designs on their page so those would be perfect if the parents haven’t revealed the gender yet!

Me and My Bow:

I discovered MAMB recently and fell in love with their little bows. They have so many materials and colors to choose from and these would make super cute gifts. They have designs in corduroy, denim, suede, felt and so much more!

Adorable n’ Elegant:

This small business makes the most adorable crib mobiles, hangers, and play gym toys! All the items are customizable so your friend will cherish the gift even more (place an order well in advance of the event). I love the colors they use and the final look of each item is very polished.

Bundle of Joy:

Bundle of Joy is a one-stop-shop for all your baby shower needs. Whether you need a diaper cake or a baby shower basket, you’ll find it all conveniently in this one shop. And best of all you can customize the items according to your budget and needs!

House of Melts:

I discovered this amazing small shop, that sells wax melts in different scents. These would make a wonderful gift for a mum-to-be who can light up a candle and let the wax melts do their job while she relaxes and enjoys the stunning fragrances.

Scheherazade Photography:

And ofcourse, you can always gift an e-voucher to the expecting mama for a maternity or a newborn photoshoot with me! My sessions are so relaxed, authentic, and fun, and can be done outdoors or in the comfort of the parent’s home. I can schedule the e-card to be mailed to the mum on the day of the baby shower so it’s extra special for her 😉

I’ve had ladies pool in to get a session gifted to their expecting friend which is amazing because it’s a premium gift and the mum-to-be will cherish the photographs for years to come (get my newborn pricing here which is the same for maternity and family sessions as well).

And that’s it! I hope you find this list helpful and you can bookmark it in case you want to refer to it in the future.

The purpose of an in-home photoshoot is completely different from an outdoor one. An outdoor photoshoot can be fun and will produce beautiful interactions and memories for family members. But an in-home family photoshoot captures the feelings of home and belonging. It records the growth of your kids. When you look back at in-home photos you will be taken back to those moments and realize how tiny your little ones were. In-home photos are super nostalgic!

Preparing for your in-home photoshoot:

There are a few things you need to consider after booking a family photoshoot with me.

Clothing: I would recommend that you wear something comfortable, like a casual dress or t-shirt and jeans. Colour-wise, try to coordinate them instead of matching everything exactly. You can also coordinate your outfits according to what matches the best with the decor/walls in your home. The more cohesive the colour pallet, the better the photographs will turn out!

Time of session: I would need to know the time when the light in your home is the best. This can vary from home to home so unlike outdoor photoshoots which take place around sunset and sunrise, in-home photoshoots can take place anywhere from 9 am to 4 pm. I would ask you to take photos around your home around this time and send me so I can determine what areas will be best to photograph in.

Preparing your baby/toddler/older kids: If you have a baby, try to schedule the shoot about an hour after they normally wake up. Changing their routine on the day of the shoot is never a good idea as they might resist and the next thing you know, the baby hasn’t slept for a couple of hours before the session!

Having said that, don’t stress if their routine does change and they are super cranky! I’ve had experience with such babes and the situation is always salvageable if we all stay calm and let events unfold. Just smile through it all and the photos will turn out perfect 😉

If you have toddlers or older kids, try not to give them any treats like sweets or even Ipads/phones before or during the session. Once the littles get a hold of their Ipads, it can go pretty downhill from there. Instead, plan a few activities for your session. If you love playing a game together as a family, why not bring it out during the session. I love incorporating your everyday life during in-home sessions.

Preparing your home: Dubai can be such a temporary place for some. People often tell me that they don’t think that their homes look nice enough to be photographed. While I respect that, I also know that whatever your house looks like, it is a home for you at the moment. The purpose of in-home sessions is not to get picture perfect portraits, but to capture this time in your family’s life.

I usually photograph near the windows so the bulk of the shoot will be in the rooms where the light coming through the windows is the best. This can mean that we will only photograph in your bedroom and/or living room or whichever room gets the best light. Try to do a basic cleanup of these rooms before the shoot. For beds, I recommend you use plain white or solid coloured bedsheets. Try to hide any clutter on your bedside tables as well. When I come to your home I can make some suggestions on the spot as well so don’t worry too much!

An in-home family photoshoot in Dubai can be the most important kind of session you get done for your family. None of us have any idea when we might have to pack up and leave. That is why in-home photos might be the only memories that your kids will have of their childhood home when they grow up!

The quickest way to reach me is through Whatsapp. We can chat about whether an in-home family photoshoot will be suitable for your family and when would be a great time to schedule one. So click here to start a conversation!

Okay, far-fetched I know, but I’m a movie fanatic and I like to start off with some drama! Heehee. 

I think we can all agree that we’re guilty of taking numerous photos in a day. Pictures of our kids, what we eat, our pets, and yes, selfies, included. I know I do too because my phone album’s storage is forever full of images of both my children, their crafts and, well…plants, and being a mummy blogger,  the images continue to explode on my social media channels too. 

However, while most of us are busy taking these pictures how many of us are also guilty of not really preserving them. Parenting in this ‘digital-age’ myself, I admit it was until recently that I realized the importance of having hard copies of my children’s memories in real albums.

As parents, we’ve all heard that saying, ‘The nights are long but the years are short’. I’ll be the first to raise my hand and tell you that it’s true because one day I was cradling my firstborn, and before I knew it she was ready to wave me goodbye on her first day of school.

My kids are growing fast and making new memories every single day. Seeing how they’ve grown from tiny babies to the little people that they are today, makes me emotional and proud. And although I can relive those memorable moments by quickly scrolling through a small 3 x 3 photo grid on my phone, it really isn’t comparable to when I am turning through beautifully printed high-quality pictures of them in an album.

Preserve those memories

I still remember looking through my parent’s photos from their younger days, turning each photo to read my mum’s writing at the back. It would have details informing me when and where the photo was taken exactly. I love seeing pictures of their holidays, their fashion and the various details in every photo even after all these years. Imagine if these photos were not printed.

The special moments you’ve captured are only good and valuable if preserved. With the help of technology at our fingertips, we are able to document those moments so easily in the form of digital files. Resourceful, yes, but years down the line will these digital files be easily accessible for our children and future generations? Do we really see passing on a USB of photos to our grandkids?

Printed pictures offer access to those preserved moments and experiences of being relived again and again. In this ‘online’ world, there’s just something special about being able to touch a photo, see it hanging on a wall, or sitting in a beautifully printed album.

Allow the children to enjoy the memories

My 5-year-old loves going through her photos in her first-year album, which actually starts off with fuzzy black and white pictures of my ultrasound scans. The immediate reactions and expressions on seeing the photos together is priceless. It starts conversations.

Printed photos give the children a sense of security and belonging, especially when the photos are displayed throughout their own homes. Not just that, printed photo albums are so much easier for children to look through than working out how to scroll through a digital album on a password protected phone or tablet, which hopefully is charged beforehand, and may need a parent to help out. *sigh*

Technology cannot be relied upon

We all love what our smartphones can do. Agreed? However, we can’t expect the technology we have right now to be around all the time. Photos on your iCloud or GoogleDrive may not always be in the right format and passwords may be forgotten. Tagged pictures on social media will not always be our property. Photos saved on hard drives or cameras may be lost due to physical damage of equipment. Also, technology may change, for example how many of our laptops or PCs actually come with a CD drive anymore?

We just need to look in the mirror to realize how quickly things are changing. I know it’s easier to convince ourselves that we will get round to printing the photos someday soon, than sort through the million images stored on our phones. It can be a time-consuming task, but printed photos can bring so much joy and give you the ability to time travel through all those memories. It will be a visual story passed down through families, so that those special moments last and bring joy for generations. And honestly, it’s never too late to start the process of keeping your beloved memories alive.