The photographer has taken 60 free shots and plans 100 more.
Dubai:
Louisa Sumagui and her family wanted their last 12 years in Dubai before returning to Australia after losing jobs in the tourism industry due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The moment was captured for Sumagui, her husband and two children on a sun-drenched beach courtesy of photographer Paula Hainey, who offers free photo ops to tens of thousands of expats leaving the United Arab Emirates.
“The majority of the families I photograph are senior executives who have been laid off. They have lived in Dubai for 15-20 years, this is their life, and they are sent home. But here it is with us”, Hainey told Reuters.
The photographer, whose own business slowed down as weddings were canceled and people practiced social distancing, made 60 free shots and plans to shoot 100 more.
Paula Hainey, a photographer, gives a free family photo session on a beach to a family leaving Dubai for Egypt, Dubai.
Expatriates constitute the majority of the population of the United Arab Emirates, which includes the emirate of Dubai. Residence is linked to employment and the Arab Gulf State does not offer a citizenship path for non-citizens.
As a regional tourism and business hub, Dubai has been hit hard by the pandemic, although authorities have recently lifted a curfew and removed most restrictions, including allowing foreign visitors to enter the country. emirate from July 7.
But many expatriates have no choice but to leave after job losses, and for some, the future is uncertain.
Muhammad, an airline pilot from the United Arab Emirates, returns to Egypt with his American wife, toddler and 3-month-old son after being laid off.
The photographer gives a free family photo session on a beach to Muhammad Shehata and his family as they leave Dubai.
His Egyptian compatriot Muhammad Shehata and his South African wife have yet to decide where they will go after four years in Dubai. His attempt to start a business was hit by the pandemic.
“Now I don’t have the opportunity to be here, unfortunately, but I think we will probably be back someday.”
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
