womanthismonth.com | AUGUST 2026 INTERVIEW 106 This month’s cover captures a fleeting moment of childhood mischief, reflecting photographer Shereen Ahmed Rafea’s love of authentic storytelling. She shares the story behind the image and the approach that shapes her work. Tell us about the photograph on this month’s cover. What was the idea behind it, and what story were you hoping to tell? The photograph was taken during a photography workshop centred on country living. Rather than creating a posed image, I wanted to capture an authentic moment of childhood playfulness and mischief. Looking back on your journey, what first inspired you to pick up a camera, and what has kept you passionate about photography? I’ve loved cameras for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would borrow my dad’s camera on family holidays and carry it everywhere. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I finally had the time to learn photography properly through online tutorials. I spent hours photographing our garden and my niece and nephew, and the more I learned, the more I fell in love with it. Photography has brought me so much joy. I love documenting life’s milestones, observing changing light and capturing genuine emotion. What draws you to the moments you choose to photograph? I’m naturally drawn to people, especially genuine smiles and candid moments that capture real emotion. Looking back through my work, those are the photographs that stay with me because they’re the moments that move me most. How has Bahrain influenced the way you see and photograph people and places? Bahraini culture and the kindness of its people have had a huge influence on my photography. I love capturing genuine smiles, and I think Bahrain’s warmth and hospitality naturally shine through in the people you meet every day. What usually catches your eye first when you’re composing a photograph? Usually it’s either beautiful light and shadow or an authentic human moment. I photographed my cousin’s engagement party, and the emotional moments, especially the tears of happiness, became some of the images I’ll always remember. What advice would you give aspiring photographers who are still finding their creative voice? At one point, I spent a lot of time worrying about finding my own style and ended up losing sight of why I picked up a camera in the first place, which was simply because it made me happy. Today, I’d encourage people to focus less on creating a signature style and more on creating photographs that make them feel something. If an image evokes emotion in me and in the people viewing it, then I think that’s a worthwhile pursuit. Through Her Lens
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