Lina Mohammed is a photographer based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Her work has been a staple feature in Destination magazines since 2017, from event coverage to portrait shots and front covers.

How did you become a photographer? Tell us about your journey.

I’ve loved photography since I was a child. I used to get mad when my parents wouldn’t let me take photos (instead of them) at our family events and travels. When I got older, I started photography as a hobby in 2008 with a combat camera, and then with a DSLR in 2010. But I started my journey as a professional photographer in 2016.

Photography has been a great way for me to express myself. I consider every picture I take to be a part of me, so it’s a bit hard sometimes for me to share my photos on social media! I love the artistic aspect of photography, like when a photographer sees something and translates it differently with their own style and technique.

How do you make sure you get the best shot?

It’s so important for me to plan the whole process step by step. I also like to imagine the outcome before I start.

In the beginning, I would shoot randomly, taking photos of anything I see. I eventually started to focus on composition techniques, doing a lot of reading and research on it and also learning from my photographer friends.

I also like to try different types of photography, especially new techniques I’m unfamiliar with, and I like to get creative and come up with new ways to shoot.

What photos do you like to take the most? Tell us about your favorite shots?

I prefer shooting objects over portraits, maybe because it’s easier to control things more than people? I really enjoy food, street fashion, and product photography.

What’s your favorite Destination photo?

I loved my photo shoot with the band Most of Us, which was done to accompany an article and then as a front cover for the March 2018 issue of Destination Jeddah. I’m a big fan of rock and roll music, and the band’s story as one of the oldest Saudi rock bands was really inspiring. They performed a few songs for us during the shoot, and told us about their journey, so the entire team really had fun. I wanted to present them to the readers in a way that would show who they were, their passion for music, and their unique identity.

Follow Lina Mohammed on Instagram: linamo