Muhammad Al-Hawashi

We live in a world that pushes us to move fast. We scroll through hundreds of images a day, walk past the same buildings, and cross paths with people we never truly see. But what happens when we force ourselves to slow down?

That’s the question at the heart of Saudi documentary and street photographer Muhammad Al-Hawashi's work. In his project, Look Again, he asks us to do exactly that: pause and give ordinary moments a second glance.

"There are many things we pass every day without really seeing," Muhammad explains. His work isn't about hunting down dramatic events or manufacturing the perfect shot. Instead, it’s about finding meaning in the quiet, often overlooked corners of daily life. A person sitting alone, a passing gesture, or the way light hits an old building—these are the fragments he captures.

Muhammad’s approach is deeply grounded in patience and authenticity. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, he focuses on familiar environments rather than trying to find stories in distant, unfamiliar places. He doesn't direct his subjects. Sometimes, he admits, he will just sit in a space without taking a single photo, simply watching how people move, how relationships develop, and how the light changes. He embraces imperfections and natural light because they are part of the real story.

What makes his photography truly stand out is the space he leaves for the viewer. Muhammad doesn't want his photos to tell you exactly what to think. He actually prefers ambiguity. Two people can look at the same image and notice completely different things—one might feel the loneliness of a space, while another focuses on a subtle shadow or a trace of human presence left behind.

Ultimately, Look Again is not a strict statement, but an invitation to change how we see our own world.

As Muhammad beautifully puts it in his project manifesto:

“Look at the person you normally walk past. Look at the place you think you already know. Look at the ordinary moment that seems too insignificant to photograph. Then look again.”

Discover more of Muhammad Al-Hawashi’s work: