Mariya is a photographer and videographer working across Abu Dhabi and Dubai under the name Reel Dynamics, shooting fashion, wellness, events and brand work. Her career did not begin with a plan or a portfolio — it began with a camera her husband gave her as a gift in Malaysia, and an Instagram food blog started during the COVID lockdown in England.
Not every creative career follows a carefully planned route. Sometimes it starts with a hobby, an unexpected opportunity and the willingness to see where it goes. What began as photographs of home-cooked meals has become a career capturing weddings, personal brands and the moments people most want to keep.
The hobby that quietly changed everything
Years before photography became her profession, Mariya received her first professional camera while living in Malaysia — a gift from her husband. At the time it was simply a thoughtful present and a way to enjoy a hobby. Looking back, she says that gift planted the seed.
The real turning point came during the COVID lockdown, while she and her family were living in England. Looking for a creative outlet, she started an Instagram page sharing the healthy meals she cooked at home. Over time the food became only part of the story: she found herself thinking far more about lighting, composition, colour and how each image could carry its own narrative. Every post became a chance to learn something, and gradually she realised photography was not just something she enjoyed — it was something she wanted to do professionally.
Finding purpose through storytelling
For Mariya, photography and videography are not simply about producing attractive visuals. They are about preserving genuine emotion and telling stories people can connect with. Whether she is documenting a wedding, shooting for a personal brand or filming an event, she believes every project deserves its own approach, because every person brings a different story.
That mix of creativity, human connection and continuous learning is what makes the work feel right to her. Technology, trends and visual storytelling keep evolving, which means there is always something new to master — a challenge she finds energising rather than exhausting.
From food blogger to creative professional
Mariya’s first public creative work came through food blogging, and one of the highlights of that chapter was reaching the finals of a cooking competition where her dishes were judged by the renowned British chef Marco Pierre White. He told her personally that had there been a second-place award, it would have been hers. The encouragement mattered: it gave her confidence that dedication and creativity could open doors she had not expected.
The achievement came through cooking, but it strengthened her belief in pursuing creative work seriously. As her interest moved from recipes to visual storytelling, she invested in learning photography and filmmaking and gradually turned the hobby into a profession — a path that has become far more common across the region’s creative economy, from food-focused content creators in Dubai to established commercial studios.
Building a career one project at a time
Starting from scratch in a highly competitive industry was not easy. Like most creative professionals, Mariya had to build a portfolio, earn clients’ trust and master both the artistic and technical sides of photography and filmmaking — all of which took patience and persistence.
She learned quickly that success does not come from owning the best camera. It comes from continuing to learn, create and improve with every project. That understanding still shapes how she approaches her work.
Never stop learning
Even with a professional practice established, Mariya believes the education should not stop. She recently completed individual training in studio photography and lighting technique, deliberately strengthening an area she wanted to develop — videography has always been her stronger discipline, and she wanted her photography to match it.
She is also working through a creative course built around assignments designed to push her out of her comfort zone, from experimenting with flash photography to approaching strangers and making spontaneous portraits. Rather than settling into the skills she already has, she looks for the work that will make her a more versatile visual storyteller.
Progress matters more than perfection
One lesson has shaped her career more than any other: growth comes from consistency rather than perfection. Early on she often compared herself to photographers with years more experience, until she realised that comparison slows progress while curiosity accelerates it.
Today she approaches each assignment with the mindset of a lifelong learner, welcoming constructive feedback and treating every project as another opportunity to get better. It is an outlook shared by many of the women building independent creative careers across the Gulf, a shift explored in our piece on the rise of women business leaders in the GCC.
Creating images people can feel
Looking ahead, Mariya hopes her work is remembered for something deeper than technical quality. Composition and lighting matter, but she believes genuine emotion is what turns an image into a lasting memory.
She would like to be remembered as someone who captured authentic stories with honesty, creativity and care. Whether she is helping a couple relive their wedding day, building a personal brand’s visual identity or documenting an event — work that keeps her busy across a region with a famously crowded events calendar — the aim is the same. If her work helps people relive their happiest moments or see themselves with more confidence, she considers that a meaningful impact.
A journey shaped by curiosity
If Mariya could speak to her younger self, the advice would be simple: do not wait for the perfect moment, and do not underestimate curiosity. Creative careers rarely follow a straight line, and that is completely fine.
Every skill starts with being a beginner, and growth comes from small steps, continuous learning and being brave enough to try something unfamiliar. Looking back, she is glad she allowed herself to explore different creative directions — food blogging, photography, videography — because each one became part of the journey that showed her what genuinely inspires her. It is a route others in the region’s visual industries have taken in their own way, among them architectural photographer Shoayb Khattab, and one that continues to feed the UAE’s wider arts and creative scene.
Where to follow Mariya
Mariya shares her photography and film work on Instagram at @reel_dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mariya of Reel Dynamics?
Mariya is a photographer and videographer based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, working under the name Reel Dynamics on fashion, wellness, event and brand projects.
How did Mariya begin her photography journey?
Her interest began after her husband gave her a professional camera while they were living in Malaysia. During the COVID lockdown in England she started an Instagram food blog, and her passion for photography and visual storytelling developed from there.
What was Mariya’s first major creative achievement?
As a food blogger she reached the finals of a cooking competition judged by the British chef Marco Pierre White, whose personal encouragement gave her the confidence to pursue creative work seriously.
What is Mariya currently focusing on?
She is developing her photography through studio lighting training and a creative course of challenging assignments, while continuing her videography work.
What lesson has had the biggest impact on Mariya’s career?
That consistency matters more than perfection, and that every project is an opportunity to grow creatively and professionally.
What impact does Mariya hope to leave through her work?
She hopes to create photographs and films that connect with people emotionally, helping them preserve meaningful memories and see themselves with greater confidence.
