Have you seen how Saudi photographer Norah AlAmri captures her country? If you have, you were probably as fascinated as we were. If not, you should.

Her images of Saudi Arabia — especially of its people — feel strikingly honest. They reveal the Kingdom's essence. Through faces, gestures and everyday encounters, her work opens up a perspective that is rarely seen from the outside. For Al-Amri, people are at the centre of everything — the most truthful portrait of any place.

In this interview, we talk about her upbringing in Riyadh, the influence of her family, and how photography became a way to explore both her country and herself — from street photography to editorial shoots, and from familiar places to unexpected encounters across Saudi Arabia.

— Norah, you grew up in Riyadh. What kind of family did you grow up in, and what was your childhood like?

— I was born and raised in Riyadh, where I have spent most of my life, except for one year in Malaysia, 2009-2010, when my family relocated for my father’s work. Sadly, that was also where he passed away. I come from a big family; eight siblings in total, five girls and three boys. My father was very family-oriented, incredibly loving and always present in our lives. Despite everything, I would describe my childhood as simple, warm and beautiful.

— One of the first photos of yours I saw was of your grandmother’s hands. Could you tell me about her?

— My grandmother, Aziza, is my father’s mother. She is from the south of Saudi Arabia, specifically from a place called Al Namas. Women from that region are known for wearing beautifully vibrant, colourful clothing from head to toe, which has always fascinated me.

She is one of the kindest and funniest people I know. She loves applying henna to her hands, and every time we visit her, I am struck by the deep, rich colour covering her palms and the tips of her fingers. I have always been mesmerised by her presence, especially her hands, which carry so much character and femininity.

— Your photography journey started when your father gave you an Olympus camera for your graduation. Were you already interested in photography before that?

— Honestly, I don’t remember being deeply focused on photography before that, but I have always been drawn to art in general. I was the one who asked for the camera, and receiving it became a turning point for me. From there, I started exploring both the camera and myself, taking street photographs while I was in Kuala Lumpur. When I returned to Riyadh, I continued shooting, and that is really how my journey began to grow.

— You have lived in Riyadh your whole life, and Saudi Arabia is a constant inspiration for your work. Are there places in Riyadh where you especially like to go and take pictures?

— Yes, absolutely. I am deeply inspired by how diverse Saudi Arabia is and by the balance between tradition and modern life. We are also a conservative society, which I believe adds a unique depth and identity to our culture. It is rich in traditions and values, and that is something I find very inspiring in my work. In Riyadh, I am especially drawn to older, historical areas like Diriyah and Ad Dirah. To me, these places feel truly alive; full of people, stories and layers of history. They offer a kind of authenticity that I am always looking to capture through my lens.

— Are there places in Saudi Arabia that truly represent the Kingdom but are still not widely known?

— I would say my parents’ hometown, Asir. It is incredibly beautiful, mountainous, and known for its cooler weather, which is quite unique in Saudi Arabia. It has started to gain more recognition recently, but it still feels like a hidden gem. I would highly recommend it to anyone, whether from inside or outside the Kingdom, to visit at least once. It offers a completely different perspective of Saudi Arabia.

— At one point, you said you wanted to explore northern Saudi Arabia. Did you eventually get the chance to do that? If so, could you share a story from that trip?

— It is still something I would love to do one day, along with visiting Hail. Northern Saudi has a unique character, and I am very drawn to discovering it more deeply through my photography. I visited Tabuk back in 2021 for a photoshoot with Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire. I really liked it, the landscape and traditions felt very different and inspiring. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to fully explore the area.

— You once said: “Everyone talks about the tourist places and the stunning landscapes, but I saw something else — the people of AlUla.” Who are these people for you? Could you share some stories about them?

— When people search for AlUla, they usually see the stunning landscapes and luxury hotels, and while I appreciated that side of it, what stayed with me most were the people. I am naturally drawn to walking through the old town, observing everyday life and connecting with locals. I enjoy speaking with them and capturing those moments; there is something about that process that genuinely brings me joy.

During one visit, I booked a horse-riding experience through the farms, and when I arrived, I discovered it was run by a local family; two brothers and their sister, who was also a horse rider. I ended up photographing her. For me, these human connections are what truly define the place. The people of AlUla give it its soul, and they are what I find most meaningful to capture through my work.

— You also said: “Photography takes me to places I never knew existed and introduces me to people I would have never crossed paths with.” What are some of those places or encounters that stayed with you the most?

— One of the most memorable experiences came through my older sister, who runs a children’s program focused on building confidence in public speaking. She once invited me to join a charity visit to a group of children outside Mecca, knowing how much I enjoy exploring new places and documenting them.

I went without many expectations. From Mecca, we travelled by bus to Al Bayda (a rural natural area about 55 km south of the city, known for its mountainous landscape). When I arrived, I was honestly surprised by how different and beautiful everything felt, the place, the atmosphere and especially the people.

What stayed with me most was the simplicity and authenticity of life there. Families living between mountains, with no fences, camels as part of their everyday surroundings, and children playing freely outdoors. There was something incredibly pure and grounded about it. The people were warm, welcoming, and deeply genuine. I am really glad I said yes to that trip. It allowed me to witness and capture moments I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. It remains one of the most special encounters I have had in Saudi Arabia.

— Could you tell me the story behind this photo? Who is this boy?

— Unfortunately, I don’t know the boy’s name or his age. This photo was taken in 2018 during a trip to Al Kharrarah Lake, just outside Riyadh. It was my first time visiting, and I was struck by how beautiful it was, a wide lake surrounded by cars and tents, full of life. As we were driving around, I noticed a family nearby with horses, ducks and sheep. I approached them, introduced myself as a photographer and asked if I could take some photos. They kindly agreed. The whole scene felt incredibly natural; the children were playing freely, their father was riding a horse around us, and the animals were moving calmly inside the fence. It felt like a perfectly unplanned moment.

— And what about this family? Who are they?

— As I mentioned before, Ad Dirah is one of my favourite places to explore and take photos. In 2020, I was walking near Al Masmak Fortress, taking pictures, and as I was heading back to my car, I noticed a group of kids looking at me from inside their car. I approached their father, who was holding a child in his lap and asked if I could take a photo of them. He kindly agreed. After taking the photo, I asked if they were all his children. He smiled and said yes, and that he actually has more. He told me he has 20 children in total.

He was very warm and loving with them. Even though the photo may look a bit dramatic, they are truly a big, beautiful and happy family.

— In 2021, you shot a cover story for Esquire Middle East. Was that your first experience working with a magazine? What was it like?

— Yes, it was my first time working with a magazine and also my first experience in fashion photography. Before that, I was mainly focused on street and documentary photography.

It was a real turning point in my journey. I was invited to shoot for Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire Saudi for the launch of their Saudi editions, which made the experience even more special. Working with such a talented and experienced team taught me a lot. It showed me how much you can learn through hands-on experience.

I am very grateful to everyone who trusted me and saw potential in my work. That opportunity opened many doors for me, and since then, I have had the chance to work with several other magazines.

— You were named Fashion Photographer of the Year by the Ministry of Culture. What did that recognition mean to you?

— I honestly wasn’t expecting to be awarded, so being recognised by the Ministry of Culture was a huge honour. It gave me a lot of confidence in my work and inspired me to keep creating. I am very grateful to everyone who believed in me, and I sincerely thank all the judges for this recognition.

— You use photography to capture real moments from people’s lives in Saudi Arabia and help outsiders understand the country better. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about Saudi Arabia?

— Honestly, I am not sure what people outside Saudi Arabia think about the country, so it is hard to speak about misconceptions. What I do know is that Saudi Arabia is far more than most people imagine. It is incredibly diverse, with each region having its own unique culture, traditions and way of life. The landscapes are stunning and varied; from deserts to mountains, valleys and the sea.

But what really makes it special are the people. Saudis are kind, generous, and deeply connected to their families and traditions. There’s so much to capture here, not just the beauty of the land, but the richness of everyday life and the small, simple moments that show the heart of my country. That’s what I try to show through my photography.