Ahmed Abdelshafi is a Cairo-based photographer who found his voice through images for a very personal reason: expressing feelings and emotions through words never came easily to him. Photography allowed him to do this with far more clarity and honesty.

His first steps into photography happened unconsciously at the age of four. Instinctively, he began capturing the world around him, without fully understanding why he felt drawn to it.

Over the years, photography became Ahmed’s way of thinking, feeling, and communicating. One of his most recognised bodies of work features his grandmother, now 93 years old. He simply photographed her life as it is: the way she lives, speaks, reads — everyday moments that quietly turned into something extraordinary. Looking at these images, you can feel the deep love and connection between the photographer and his model (and yes, we can call her that).

In this conversation, we spoke with Ahmed about the beginning of his journey, his grandmother (of course!) and the other stories he continues to tell through his photos.

— Ahmed, you have mentioned that you turned to photography because you found it difficult to express your feelings with words, and that photography became a way for you to do so. How did it all begin, and how old were you when you first started taking pictures?

— I wouldn’t say that getting into photography was a conscious decision. I have never been very good at formulating my thoughts verbally or explaining how I feel through words. Photography came to me more intuitively. Over time, I realised it was a powerful way to express the thoughts in my mind.

I actually started very young — around four years old. We had a tutor at home who taught me the Quran and Arabic. He had a phone with a camera — and it was the first phone with a camera I had ever seen. So I would take his phone and take pictures of the subjects around me. I was naturally drawn to doing that, even without fully understanding why. That is really where it began.

Later on, when I got my first smartphone at around twelve or thirteen, I started experimenting more seriously with mobile photography. Then in 2019, when I was about nineteen, I got my first camera and began taking professional photos.

So the photography just came to me naturally, and I grew into it over time.

— So the photo of your grandmother and niece — the one that won you the 2023 Sheikh Saoud Al Thani single image award — was actually one of your first photographs?

— Yes, exactly! I took it very early in my photography journey, less than a year after I started.

They were just standing there. My niece, Layla, was visiting and was at home, and my grandmother is the kind of person who talks to everyone — she is always talking. They were looking out the window, and my grandma was showing Layla the things around her.

It was a very ordinary moment, a simple, everyday moment.

— You have mentioned that your grandmother is your best friend, and honestly, your photos really show it. I would love to ask you more about her as a person — how old is she? And maybe you could share a story about her.

— She is 93 now. My grandmother is very easygoing — she is the kind of person who just wants to love, enjoy life, and have a good time. She is always happy.

We have always been very close. We lived in the same apartment building, and later just a few minutes’ walk from each other. Once, when I was around four or five years old, I walked alone from our apartment to hers, which was about a three-minute walk on the street.

She told me she was really worried when she found out. She kept asking, “How did you do that? How did you leave the house? You were so young, and you came here by yourself.” I don’t remember it at all, but she tells the story often.

For me, that story says a lot about our relationship. I was always comfortable with her. Even as a child, I felt calm around her. She never felt like an authority figure — she felt more like a friend.

— What kind of life has she had?

— My grandmother grew up in a large family with eight siblings. As she got older, she lived between Alexandria and Cairo, moving across different governorates, and worked as a teacher, teaching Arabic and religion.

She didn’t have the easiest marriage. My grandfather wasn’t the kindest person, but despite that, she managed to stay calm and keep her personality. She held on to who she was.

— Did she teach you something?

— Definitely. It is not really a phrase, but more of a reminder I carry with me — that life doesn’t have to be this hard. It is about taking it easy, being present, and letting yourself enjoy the moment. I try not to be guarded or distant all the time, but instead to be loving and open with everyone.

— I’m really curious about the stories behind the other photos. The first one is one of your earliest works — it captures people dyeing clothes. Can you tell me more about it?

— This photo was taken during a photography walk. At the time, I had just started seriously learning about photography — things like composition rules and the rule of thirds. I attended a workshop, and part of it involved visiting this place to photograph it.

It was a dye house in Old Cairo. I was drawn to it because the lighting and overall setup were striking.

It is a family business that has been running for a very long time — over a hundred years. They dye textiles there and then export them to different countries around the world.

— The next series I want to ask about is from Old Cairo. What exactly did you capture here?

— I took these photos during a Moulid. People come from across the country, and the atmosphere becomes festive. They share food, cook together, and spend time together. In some of the photos, you can see people singing, chanting melodies, and talking about the virtues of the Prophet.

It is a very warm, communal event. People open their homes to others, host strangers, and interact with a generous, welcoming spirit. That sense of warmth and togetherness is a big part of what the celebration is about.

— That is beautiful. You have taken quite a few photos in Old Cairo — what do you love most about this part of the city?

— Cairo isn’t a city I have ever experienced quietly — it is loud, fast, and constantly in motion. That energy has a strong personality of its own, one that has shaped the way I feel and observe the world. Within all that movement, I have learned to look for moments of connection — gatherings like these, where people come together and share experiences. And beyond the city itself, my sense of belonging lives in my home and with my grandmother.

— Now, a beautiful project, “People of the Sea”.

— I was in Alexandria, spending time by the sea and just observing people. At some point, I thought about turning it into a project.

I was interested in capturing how different people exist by the sea. You see couples, people sitting alone, families, fishermen — each with very different stories. That contrast is what initially inspired me to start photographing, even though I eventually stopped.

What I realised, though, is that despite how different these people are, they all seem to share something in common: a love for the city and for the sea. For many people in Alexandria, the sea feels like a place to unwind, to find peace.

— You have also taken some amazing photos in Qena. You clearly seem to love the city — what drew you there in the first place?

— The very first photo — the one of the boy with the horse — relates to a Moulid celebration, where people gather to take part in different cultural activities.

There is a tradition called Al-Mermah. In Upper Egypt, people gather with their horses during these celebrations and join informal competitions, showcasing their skill in riding and handling them. Alongside that, there is a lot of food, socialising, and a festive atmosphere, very similar to other Moulid celebrations.

The other photos were taken near the Dendera Temple Complex and around the city itself. Some of them capture people heading home — simple, everyday moments I photographed while walking through the area.

I really liked the place. It is one of my favourite cities now.

— You have a lot of photos with warm, orange tones and sunlight. I was curious — when do you take them?

— I usually prefer working during golden hour or blue hour, whether that is early in the day or later at night. I’m drawn to those times because the light feels more interesting and often adds to the story of the image.

— Is there another photo that feels especially meaningful to you?

— Definitely. It is a photo in a tunnel. I took it on my way to work. It is a tunnel I have to cross every day, and while walking through it, I noticed this man going down the steps and took the photo.

Later, when I got home, I was listening to a Drake song — IDGAF. The very first part of it stayed in my head. It was sampled from another track, and when I looked up the original song it was sampled from, I found out it was called The Tunnel by Azimuth, which is exactly the setting of the photo. That was honestly mind-blowing to me.