A life-changing event led him to photography: Interview with Yousef Naser

This interview was written in partnership with Amateur Photographer magazine.

When an injury ended Yousef Naser’s dream of becoming a professional footballer, photography opened a new path. Since picking up his phone to capture everyday life along the Nile, the Cairo-based photographer has gone on to win Egypt’s National Award at the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 and two Young Amateur Photographer of the Year titles. In this interview, written in partnership with Amateur Photographer magazine, he shares the story behind his winning image, Happiness Seller, reflects on finding his direction and offers advice on staying motivated through the ups and downs of entering competitions.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What first inspired you to pick up photography?

I am a 23-year-old Egyptian Director of Photography (DoP) and documentary photographer based in Cairo, recently graduating with Distinction on my graduation project from the Department of Photography at the Higher Institute of Cinema—the oldest film academy in the Middle East. 
My journey with photography was actually born out of a life-changing turning point. Originally, my dream was to become a professional football player. However, after suffering a severe injury that left me unable to walk easily for years and misdiagnosed by many doctors, I was forced away from the pitch. In 2018, while coping with that loss, photography stepped into my life as a deep calling. 

I started capturing everyday family moments and the changing landscapes along the Nile River during my high school commute. I still vividly remember the very first photo I ever took at the Cairo Tower, and my family noticed early on that I had a distinct visual eye. At first, shooting purely on a mobile phone, I mostly focused on cityscapes and landscapes. Back then, I didn't even use social media much and naively thought I was the only street photographer in Egypt! 

My perspective transformed in 2020 when I attended a photowalk discovering a vibrant community of local photographers. Shortly after, I joined "InFocus" club, where I was exposed to friendly competitions and formal training in composition. I won my very first contest there—a photo trip to Kafr El-Sheikh and Alexandria—which thrilled me so much it felt like winning a trip to Europe! That motivated me to rent my first professional DSLR camera, even though I didn't even understand the exposure triangle at the time and was literally pressing every button to make it work. 

After four years of shooting exclusively on mobile phones and convincing my family to support buying my first camera, I set my sights on formal education. Although I wasn't accepted into the Higher Institute of Cinema on my first attempt and briefly studied law, my persistence paid off: I re-applied, was accepted into the elite government program (which selects only 8 students per year), and eventually graduated at the top of my class.

Today, my visual storytelling centers on capturing human emotion, traditional heritage, and the raw complexities of daily life. To date, this journey has blessed me with over 40 national and international accolades—including the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year (2022 & 2023) and the Sony World Photography Awards National Award (2026) among others.

You won the Egypt National Award in the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 with Happiness Seller, which captures a moment in Old Cairo following Eid prayers. What first attracted you to this scene, and can you tell us about the moment you took the photograph?

I took this photograph in Citadel Square, right in front of the historic Sultan Hassan Mosque in Old Cairo, on the morning of Eid al-Adha on June 6, 2026. 

To me, the balloon vendor represents the ultimate source of joy—a "seller of happiness," as I like to call him. He sells joy to children in the form of balloons, and as a child, I used to eagerly await holidays just so my father and I could meet the balloon vendor and buy one. Those were honestly the happiest moments of my childhood. 
 

Eid prayers are a major seasonal peak for these vendors; it’s when families spill out of the mosques and buy balloons for their children. Every Eid, I choose a new historical location in Cairo to document the celebrations. This year, I specifically went to Sultan Hassan Mosque with one clear goal: to document the balloon seller. 

When I spotted him, I managed to capture a completely candid, spontaneous shot before he moved. What drew me to this specific frame—among over 100 shots I took that morning—was the subtle body language and composition. He appeared almost enclosed, surrounded by the heavy stone walls and high iron fence of the mosque, yet in his hands, he held the key to unbridled joy and lightness. 

Beyond the personal nostalgia, I felt a responsibility to document this scene. We are currently living in a transitional era where cultural traditions and childhood habits are rapidly changing or fading away. Who knows what future generations of children will prefer? While this image doesn't tackle a heavy political issue, it serves as an authentic piece of visual heritage imbued with nostalgia. 

I always prefer shooting candidly first to preserve true emotion, then approaching the subject afterward. After making this shot, I showed him the image on my screen, and he was absolutely thrilled with it. I gladly took his number and sent him the photograph via WhatsApp later that day.

You’ve been recognised in both the Sony World Photography Awards and Amateur Photographer’s Young Amateur Photographer of the Year. What motivated you to enter both, and how did you feel when you found out you had won both titles?

My journey with international competitions started with a deep dream and an incredible mentor, Yasser Alaa Mubarak—an Egyptian photographer and lecturer at the University of Delhi. He introduced me to the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year competition in 2022. He encouraged me, believing I could make the Top 10, but I had a burning conviction that I could win the overall title and become the first Egyptian to ever achieve that honor.

That year was a relentless pursuit. I was traveling across Egypt, shooting for over 20 days every month, exploring rural communities, and uncovering human stories. I approached the competition strategically, focusing on consistently scoring points across all categories because every point mattered. I eventually won the 2022 overall title by a margin of 65 points! Receiving that news was one of the happiest moments of my life—I was literally running around my house in pure joy before calling my mentor to share the news. I won the title again in 2023 and was the runner-up in 2024.

As I aged out of the youth category, stepping up to the Sony World Photography Awards was the natural next milestone. The Sony World Photography Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious photography competitions globally, and I had been submitting my work for three consecutive years.

Winning the Egypt National Award in 2026 after years of persistence felt like an unforgettable, historical achievement. Winning a Sony camera—which was a personal dream of mine—and earning this recognition motivates me to keep pushing forward, with my sights set on the global categories in the coming years.

How did you go about selecting the categories you entered in Young Amateur Photographer of the Year and the Sony World Photography Awards and choosing which photos to enter? 

My approach is very analytical yet grounded in emotion. Every year before submitting, I deeply study the past winners, the competition and its jury. I look for images in my archive that combine technical excellence with a strong emotional story that resonates universally. Ultimately, choosing the right category is about finding where the visual narrative fits best. Winning came as an incredible blessing and recognition that I am truly grateful for, as I never took success for granted and always relied on God’s grace and hard work. 

What does recognition from an international competition mean to you personally as a photographer from Egypt? 

It means the world to me. Raising the Egyptian flag on global platforms and representing my country in international arenas is a tremendous source of pride. My ultimate dream is to become one of the top photographers in the world, and receiving international accolades provides both crucial moral and tangible support.

This recognition validates my journey, motivates me to keep pushing my artistic boundaries, and empowers me to continue documenting authentic stories from our region every single day. 

You have entered and been successful in a number of photography competitions. What have you found most valuable about these experiences beyond the awards themselves? 

For me, the recognition and the emotional value far outweigh any physical or monetary prize. While logistics or shipping policies can sometimes complicate receiving physical awards internationally, the true value lies in the global platform, the credibility, and the industry connections built along the way. Winning helps establish your name in the global photography community and opens doors for your work to be seen by international curators, editors, and audiences.

The fact that prestigious platforms like Amateur Photographer magazine and World Photography Organisation continue to follow my journey, remember my work, and invite me for features like this is the most gratifying reward. It proves that authentic visual storytelling creates lasting relationships that go well beyond the awards themselves. 

What have you been working on since winning the Egypt National Award? 

I am currently working on documentary projects as a Director of Photography with a dedicated team, and I am also expanding my craft through the documentary photography program at the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX), where we are currently in the stage of producing visual stories.

Additionally, I recently completed my graduation documentary film focusing on limestone quarry workers, which earned a Distinction at the Higher Institute of Cinema, alongside ongoing personal photography initiatives like Train Stories and Valley of History. 

What are you hoping to explore next as a photographer? Are there particular subjects, places or photographic approaches you would like to pursue? 

I am looking forward to discovering new travel opportunities and exploring diverse cultures around the world. Having already traveled to the UAE, India, and Türkiye, I aspire to explore the entire globe, as I have a deep passion for travel photography and capturing everyday life. Professionally, I aim to work as a Director of Photography on narrative feature films, and I am incredibly excited to see my debut documentary film make its way to international festivals following its Distinction recognition at the Higher Institute of Cinema. 

If you could give one piece of advice to any photographer who is considering entering a competition for the first time, what would you tell them? 

My ultimate advice to any photographer is to simply enjoy the process, keep learning and improving, and never lose hope if you don’t win competitions right away. Your time will come. It just requires patience, dedication, and a lot of hard work to reach those wonderful, fulfilling moments. Good luck to everyone!
 

About Yousef Naser