Words by Imthishal

It all started when 8year old Haneen got handed a petite pink Nikon COOLPIX camera during a family trip, with a father who indulges in creating and capturing memories it only seemed fitting. However, as the years passed she found herself working in Human resources and pursuing more administrative work. It didn’t take long until she came to the realization that her heart has always belonged to photography. Now with over 7 years of field experience ranging from lifestyle photography, aerial photography to videography, she has made a name for herself by working for high end clients such as; the Swarovskis, the Mbappes, Shilpa shetty and even a popular royal family.

Lifestyle photography was her first love, but since joining Soneva, Haneen has built a connection with the art of commercial photography. Through this position she has been able to travel and explore beyond what she had imagined for herself, while also expanding her knowledge by dabbling with food photography, interior photography, events and much more. By constantly living behind the scenes with her camera, she has acquired a gift that has allowed her clients to feel open and free to be their true selves around her. Which is exactly why this young photographer has been able to capture something most artists have struggled to for decades on end, “authenticity”.

Haneen is currently well known for her work with resort photography, however this would not have been the case if it wasn’t for Kanuhura Maldives, for one and a half years she took care of the studio and it’s guests. It was only after this that she had the courage to pursue freelancing, building her own customer base and increasing exposure. Along her journey she had an epiphany, a truth that isn’t often talked about; the avaricious and cooperative perspective of most resorts; ”Some resorts tend to overlook the quality of individual talents and handover contracts to money driven companies. By doing this, the resorts are actually demotivating a lot of talented individuals with better quality work.”

Furthermore, some sound advice for each and every individual who is eager to be a photographer by the girl who has done it all; ”take a lot of pictures and you’ll know what you are interested in. Take pictures of everything! It is that one click that creates the perfect moment!” The life you are handed when devoting yourself to this field is not what the majority of people may think; “Sometimes you don’t get enough sleep to meet deadlines, and it’s hectic but I think it’s really worth it”.

“The Maldivian photography industry needs more girls, there’s a lot of opportunities for female photographers”, and this cannot be emphasized enough. The society we live in has created this imagine that if a female were to pursue such a male dominated industry, they would not succeed or perhaps they would be in terror of facing prejudices. Being a female photographer in Maldives, is unfortunately something that isn’t as common as we may think, therefore it is no surprise the neverending obstacles and barriers Haneen had to break through. “There was someone who told me I can’t do this, that is when I told myself i can”; by doing so she has paved a path for countless other young female artists to be able to do what they love without fear but rather with tenacity.