How National Geographic Influenced My Journey in Photography

Long before photography became part of my life, it already lived quietly in my imagination.

Growing up in grade school and high school, I was deeply fascinated by National Geographic magazines. My father, who worked as a seafarer back then, would always come home from abroad carrying stacks of magazines and VHS tapes that he patiently collected from Seafarers Mission Clubs during his voyages. He knew how much me and my sister loved them, so every homecoming felt like receiving treasures from another world.

Those magazines became a huge part of my childhood.

I spent countless hours flipping through pages filled with breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and stories from places I had never seen before. The images felt powerful and alive. Even at a young age, I already understood that photography had the ability to make people feel something beyond words.

That fascination stayed with me for years. In high school, I even created a thesis about Leonardo da Vinci, and most of my references came from National Geographic magazines. Looking back now, I realize that those pages quietly shaped my appreciation for storytelling, art, and visual expression.

At the time, however, I never imagined that photography would eventually become part of my own journey.

Years later, I picked up a camera and slowly discovered my passion for photography. I became drawn to landscapes, natural light, and quiet moments that carried emotion and atmosphere. Photography became more than documentation for me, it became a way of seeing the world differently.

Still, the thought of having my own work recognized by National Geographic felt impossible.

That is why 2019 became one of the most emotional moments of my life.

One of my photographs was selected for the National Geographic Daily Dozen, a recognition that completely caught me by surprise. Seeing my image featured by a platform that I had admired since childhood was overwhelming. I remember becoming emotional because it felt surreal that someone like me, a person who once simply admired those pages from afar-could somehow become part of that same creative space.

It was a moment that reminded me how powerful childhood inspiration can be.

Then, in May 3, 2026, another unforgettable opportunity came.

One of my photographs was featured by National Geographic Al Arabiya on their social media platforms. The image was captured from Al Suhub Rest Area in Khorfakkan, located around 600 meters above sea level.

Al Suhub Rest Area, Khorfakkan, Sharjah, UAE

The photograph presents a dramatic meeting point between the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains and the calm waters of the Gulf of Oman. Soft coastal light and atmospheric haze helped create a calm and contemplative mood, while native grasses and flowering plants in the foreground added depth and texture to the composition.

What makes the image even more meaningful to me is how simple the moment truly was. It was taken during a day tour in Khorfakkan with my wife using my trusted Fujifilm X100S. There was no grand production behind it-only patience, timing, and appreciation for the beauty of the landscape in front of me.

Looking back now, it feels like life has come full circle.

The same magazine that inspired me as a child eventually became one of the platforms that featured my work years later. What once felt impossibly distant somehow became part of my personal story.

More than recognition, these moments remind me why photography matters. It preserves emotion, memory, and perspective. It allows ordinary people to connect with extraordinary places and moments.

Most importantly, this journey taught me the importance of gratitude.

I am grateful to my father for introducing us to National Geographic at such a young age. Grateful for every experience that shaped my perspective. Grateful to my wife for sharing these moments with me. And above all, grateful to God for giving me the vision to see beauty in the world around me.

Some opportunities arrive only once in a lifetime.

For me, this is one of them.

To God be all the glory.