Blacksmiths and quarry miners, documented with a cinematic eye
Nader Saadallah is an Egyptian photographer, videographer and director from Alexandria, born in 1984. He studied theatre at the University of Alexandria, with a postgraduate thesis on the picture between theater and cinema. He has the eye of a director, the spirit of an engineer and the enthusiasm of a photographer.
Nader Saadallah at a glance
- Born: 1984, Alexandria, Egypt
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Training: Studied theatre at the University of Alexandria
- Medium: Photography, videography and directing
- Known for: Documenting labourers and craftsmen, such as blacksmiths and brick workers
- Awards: Over 85 international awards, including the A-FIAP Distinction
- Publications: 19 photos in National Geographic; also GEO Magazine and CNN
- Official website: nadersaadallah.com
His work focuses on labour and craftsmanship, especially workers who use basic tools like hammers and shovels. His primary series documents the blacksmith and casting process, followed by brick factory workers. He has also documented the white limestone quarries in Minya, capturing the four phases of extraction.
He is the first Arab and only Egyptian photographer with 19 published photos on National Geographic. Since picking up a camera in 2010, he has amassed over 85 international awards. His work lives somewhere between documentary and art, capturing real, honest, human moments with intimacy and spontaneity.
“People often tell me my photographs feel like movie scenes, and I love that. I want the viewer to feel like they’ve stepped into the frame, like they’re living the story.”
His awards include second place in the Sony National Award UK 2016 and shortlist in the Sony Professional Category UK 2017. He won the Arab Photographer title in Sharjah UAE 2014 and 2015, and first prize in the People and Planet Prize Australia 2013. He also holds the A-FIAP Distinction from the International Federation of Photographic Art.
His work has been published in National Geographic, GEO Magazine Germany and Spain, CNN, and Great Big Story. He has participated in more than 90 photography exhibitions and served as a photo editor for Everyday Egypt and Everyday Everywhere. He also works as a photography instructor and lecturer in Alexandria.
His short documentary film The Forgotten was accepted in festivals in the Netherlands, Egypt, Mali and Italy. He splits his time between Egypt and the USA, but his camera has taken him far beyond borders. He is always open to new collaborations and assignments, wherever they may be in the world.
Q: What defines Nader Saadallah’s photography?
A: His ability to capture the dignity of Egyptian labourers, particularly craftsmen using basic tools, combined with his documentary style that feels like cinema. With over 85 awards and 19 National Geographic publications, he brings an engineer’s precision and a director’s vision to every frame, turning ordinary work into extraordinary stories.
You can see more of Nader’s photography on his official website, nadersaadallah.com.