Secrets of Photography: A Journey from Hobby to Professionalism ft. Haidy Abolila

Alaa Khalid: Welcome to a new episode of VeraTalk podcast. Today, we have a delightful and amazing guest with us. You'll really enjoy this episode because it’s all about photography. Please welcome Haidy! How are you?

Haidy Abolila: I’m good, thank you. How are you, Alaa?

Alaa Khalid: For those who might not know you, can you introduce yourself to our listeners?

Haidy Abolila: Sure! I’m Haidy Abolila, a photographer with seven years of experience. I’m 23 years old and started working in photography when I was a high school freshman. Initially, photography was just a hobby for me. Now, I specialize in commercial photography, but I started with portraiture. As I got deeper into photography, I realized the field is much broader than just taking pictures. A skilled photographer isn’t defined by holding a camera and pressing a button. I learned that photography is all about mastering light. Light doesn’t just illuminate the picture; it shapes it. That’s when I decided to pursue a field that truly showcases the skills of a professional photographer, so I ventured into one of the most challenging areas: astrophotography.

In the beginning, I thought it was just about capturing moments, but I quickly realized it requires extensive study—scientific principles, specific times of the year, certain phases of the moon, exact hours of the day, and more. To produce a perfect image, it’s not just about timing; it’s about understanding. I wanted to prove myself in a challenging field, one that I genuinely love.

Alaa Khalid: Was this the field you always wanted to pursue?

Haidy Abolila: Not exactly. My father always encouraged us to explore different forms of art and activities to uncover our talents. I tried many things, including various sports. I also have a twin sister. We both started with drawing classes, but she became deeply invested in it. She now works on oil paintings and other detailed art pieces. I attended the same courses with her, but while she was drawing full faces, I was still learning how to sketch noses!

What I’ve learned is that everyone has their unique talent—it’s just about discovering it. Among the many hobbies I tried, I found myself drawn to photography. It all started with an old camera we had at home, the kind people used to take on trips. I found myself enjoying it so much, even though I hadn’t planned to pursue it seriously at the time. I realized that I could dive deeper into this professionally. At first, working wasn’t an option, but once I became passionate about photography, I started convincing my family. They saw that I was producing good work, so they encouraged me to pursue it professionally.

Alaa Khalid: Is there a type of photography you particularly enjoy?

Haidy Abolila: The thing I love most is astrophotography—taking pictures of stars. I do it for fun, but what I’m currently focused on is commercial photography, like product shoots and similar projects.

Alaa Khalid: I’ve been following you, and I’ve noticed your amazing work. Honestly, everything you do is just fantastic.

Haidy Abolila: Thank you so much, Alaa.

Alaa Khalid: When you have an upcoming photoshoot, how do you prepare for it?

Haidy Abolila: First, I try to understand the purpose of the photoshoot and when it’s scheduled—whether it’s for summer or winter. Then, I start thinking about how I can represent it, especially if it’s a product shoot. I need to understand what I’m photographing and ask the client plenty of questions. That’s the first thing I focus on. After that, I look at the product—its color, size, and shape—because that will help me adjust the lighting and other elements.

Alaa Khalid: For the projects you shoot, each one must have its own unique atmosphere. What do you do to make sure the shoot is ready?

Haidy Abolila: Honestly, I’ve never started a shoot feeling completely prepared. There have been shoots, like for accessories, where I thought I was ready, but when I started shooting, I realized I wasn’t. Sometimes I’m just not prepared for certain things. But I always give myself a week’s space before a shoot so that during that week, I don’t plan anything else. Everything needs time, and you’ll only truly understand what you need when you’re actually shooting. You have to be fully focused during the shoot and begin creating in the moment.

Alaa Khalid: That’s interesting—you don’t feel fully prepared, and you let things unfold naturally.

Haidy Abolila: Honestly, I’ve never been fully ready for anything in my life, but that’s how I started with everything.

Alaa Khalid: Once the shoot is over and all the photos are ready, what do you focus on during the editing process?

Haidy Abolila: The first thing I do is fix any imperfections I couldn’t perfect during the shoot. For example, I might adjust the lighting in the background or change the shape of the background. Then, I choose the right tone to match the item I’m photographing. For instance, if it’s a product meant for winter or summer, I always make sure the tone I apply in editing matches the season. If it’s for winter, I go for a cooler tone, and for summer, I use warmer tones. That’s something I focus on after the shoot.

Alaa Khalid: Has there ever been a shoot where everything went wrong, and you couldn’t fix the pictures, so you had to reshoot it from the beginning?

Haidy Abolila: Yes, many times. I’m not sure if anyone else does this, but I never finish editing a picture and move to the next one until I get approval from the client. I always tell them that the week I’m shooting is a week they need to be with me. Since I shoot at home, the product usually comes to my house, but the client has to be present for the shoot, as if they were there with me. I finish the picture, send it to them, and check if anything is wrong. If it’s good, I move on to the next. I’ve learned the hard way that sending a whole set of photos without client approval and without reference images doesn’t work. It happened once, and I learned not to do it again because all the effort of the week goes to waste.

Alaa Khalid: So, you always need to be prepared since every job comes with its own challenges. Is there a default editing process or setting that you rely on?

Haidy Abolila: I’ve never used default settings, and I never will. I always prefer that each photo gets its own special treatment. Even when editing, I don’t plan exactly what I’m going to do. I look at the picture and see what it needs, then adjust it. I like to work manually because I want every photo to be tailored specifically to it. Using preset settings is easier, but it might not work for every picture. That’s shortcutting, and since I’m still building my name, I can’t afford to take shortcuts. Every picture deserves its own attention.

Alaa Khalid: I’ve been following you, and I love everything you post. I feel like you really enjoy showing behind-the-scenes footage of your shoots. What’s the one shoot you really didn’t like?

Haidy Abolila: Definitely the accessories shoot. I even mentioned in a reel that I wasn’t fully convinced by that shoot. Honestly, I never expected the shoot to turn out well. I had set a very high standard for myself that I didn’t quite meet. Before starting, I always look for references on Pinterest, but I don’t copy them—I just get ideas. However, the reference I saw didn’t satisfy me, and I wanted to surpass it. During the shoot, I realized I couldn’t capture what I wanted, even though it was the shoot I worked hardest on. The shoots before it were less mentally and physically exhausting, and the results were much better. This one drained me both mentally and physically. I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off, but thankfully, everything turned out fine, and the client was very happy with the pictures. But personally, I’m not satisfied with them.

Alaa Khalid: So, do you have to be satisfied with what you're doing?

Haidy Abolila: Yes, actually, that's a really good thing. You shouldn't be satisfied with something you're doing just to get better at it.

Alaa Khalid: All professions are like that. You have to be satisfied because you love what you're doing. So, if it doesn't turn out well, then what have I really done?

Haidy Abolila: For example, there wasn't a single shot I did where I felt it was perfect, and that's something I actually like about myself. Because I always try to aim for perfection—when you try to reach 100 out of 100, it makes you better every time. But if you think you're good at something and settle for it, that won't help you grow. Do you understand what I mean?

Alaa Khalid: So, what's the opposite? What's the shot you liked the most?

Haidy Abolila: There was a shot I did for an event, and it was for a first-year anniversary. I was able to think through it properly. I thought about how to indirectly show it was a first anniversary. For example, in a video, you can use movement to express something like that, but in a still photo, it's harder to express it. So, I came up with the idea of going to a party shop, buying small baby cars, and setting it up like a birthday with a cake, and so on. I liked how I incorporated these ideas right at the moment. I really liked the concept.

Alaa Khalid: Have you worked on outdoor shoots before?

Haidy Abolila: Yes, a lot. That's actually where I started.

Alaa Khalid: What's the difference between indoor and outdoor shoots?

Haidy Abolila: Well, first of all, outdoor shoots rely on natural light—the sun controls the light, not me. I prefer indoor shoots because I can control the lighting in the photo. I know exactly what I want to light and what I don't. That's the difference in photography itself. But when it comes to dealing with people, you obviously talk to more people outdoors. Personally, I find indoor shoots easier because the light is perfect, and we can control it from the sun. It's easier than creating light from scratch. But as for the scheduling, in Egypt, no one sticks to appointments, so I don't like outdoor shoots at all.

Haidy Abolila: Sometimes we need to shoot a new collection outside, and that's fine, but having all my work outdoors? No. I continued working on commercial shoots, which were mostly indoors, so my work was set indoors. And when I think back to when I used to go outdoors every day, getting a tan without any reason, it was honestly exhausting.

Alaa Khalid: The workshops you do are mostly outdoors, right?

Haidy Abolila: Yes, if they're offline, it's usually on workdays. But recently, I added a night shift instead of a morning one, where we create light. Sometimes we shoot using natural light. So now I have two workdays instead of one.

Alaa Khalid: Since you've been in photography for seven years, how did you manage balancing university and work at the same time?

Haidy Abolila: I've been working since my first year of high school. But the real work started in my senior year. Back then, I wanted to join the media field because it had a part related to photography. I joined the arts track and media was almost at 94-95% at that time. I tried to balance between working and studying well to get good grades. During my senior year, I was saving money for an upgrade to my camera from a close frame to a full frame. By the end of high school, I had saved around 10,000 pounds. I graduated with a 94% score. I applied to media, but my score was just half a percent below the cut-off. I'm from a different city, Mansoura, and media was in Cairo, so moving to Cairo for media was out of the question. It was a disaster for me not to get into what I had worked so hard for, which was photography. Eventually, I didn't have many options left, so I enrolled in English law in Mansoura, which was near my house. And luckily, I didn't have to attend classes regularly, which worked out perfectly for me. If I had gotten into media, I don't know where I would have ended up because it required attendance, and I would have been away from photography, which I loved. But after deepening my passion for photography, it turned out that law was the best thing that happened to me. I didn't have to attend class, and I was able to work on photography more. I remember feeling down for a while when I couldn't join media, but it was the best plan God had for me. I ended up doing much better than if I had been in media. I still managed to balance work and study. Unfortunately, I didn't take any extra courses. My friends were going to university every day or attending courses, but I was completely out of that loop. I would just cram the week before exams. The main goal for me was not to fail, because I didn't want to disappoint my parents. But apart from that, I tried to balance making my family proud of my success while continuing with my work in photography. Some people asked me why I wasn't considering a career in law, but it was never something I wanted.

Alaa Khalid: I know what you're thinking because I was the same at first. I entered a field I didn't really like, just to finish it. But later, I realized I enjoyed teaching, so I went into that.

Haidy Abolila: Do you like photography in general?

Alaa Khalid: I like it as a hobby, but not so much professionally. However, if there's something I can improve in my photography, I wouldn't say no.

Haidy Abolila: Yes, yes. May God be with you and bless you.

Alaa Khalid: As a photographer, do you think the future of photography will change with the development of technology and all these things? What do you think it will look like?

Haidy Abolila: It depends on the field because photography is really a broad field. But if I talk about my own field, some photographers are starting to be afraid of continuing because video has become dominant on social media. Even when I present my work now, I show it as a video and explain it while also displaying the photos. Now there’s 3D and AI, and people have started to simplify things and rely on that.

Alaa Khalid: That's what I meant.

Haidy Abolila: I made a reel about this, and I’ll stick to my opinion. Right now, people are diving into it and making money because it’s still trending or just emerging.

Alaa Khalid: Because people want it.

Haidy Abolila: Yes, because people want it. But I'm sure that whether I'm alive or not, there will come a time when clients will want to see real photos. If you go to a restaurant, you’ll want to see real pictures of what they offer. That's the most important thing.

Alaa Khalid: Do you think photography in Egypt is getting the recognition it deserves?

Haidy Abolila: No, not really. But anyone who wants to stand out will find a way, no matter the field. Photography, even when I post a reel about photographing a restaurant’s menu, people are surprised and ask, "What is this, how is it done?" Other fields are different. Some people thought that celebrity photography was just about editing the photo, and I was one of them. But it turns out that celebrity photography actually requires study. It’s not so much that it hasn’t been recognized, but rather that it’s not very well known. But recently, yes, it’s starting to get recognized a bit. Now, in everything you do—marketing or attracting clients—it's either videos or photos. Things are definitely opening up more than before.

Alaa Khalid: What about art in Egypt as a whole? Do you think people recognize art in Egypt?

Haidy Abolila: No, of course not. Look, art is there, but for you to dive deep into it and be good at it, that’s up to you. Do you know what I mean? Art in Egypt is harder to achieve than in other countries, but it's not impossible. You have to make your mark. If you limit yourself to saying that Egypt is weak in this area, you'll just stay where you are. But anyone who works on themselves, no matter where they are—even in Somalia—will make it far. There are plenty of examples of people who created art out of nothing. For example, two years ago, who knew about food bloggers? Certainly not many. But you have to impose something on people, and as long as it gets positive results, then keep at it.

Alaa Khalid: Like in jewelry and fashion, there are people outside who wear Egyptian things.

Haidy Abolila: Exactly, yes.

Alaa Khalid: A lot of people listen to us and might love professional photography. What advice would you give them?

Haidy Abolila: No one starts off perfect. Even now, I shoot at home; I don’t have a studio. And by the way, I’m always keen on sharing behind-the-scenes footage of my shoots so any photographer can see. They’ll find me using things that aren’t ideal. For example, I should be using a head flash, but I only have one head and two speed lights. Anyone with better equipment might say, "I can never get the same result." The whole idea is that you don’t need everything to start. The most important thing for me is to make the best out of what I have, even if someone else with more equipment could do it better. For example, I use my phone to try and get a picture that people will wonder whether it was taken with a camera or a phone. The key is to focus on getting the best results with what you have, not to worry about not having something specific. I just do it.

Alaa Khalid: Some people think that if I have a bad phone, I won't be able to take good pictures.

Haidy Abolila: Yes, that's true.

Alaa Khalid: So, people who have phones usually like taking pictures. What settings could one use on their phone to make it the default for photography?

Haidy Abolila: There's no universal setting to follow. I actually do mobile photography courses because there’s no "one-size-fits-all" approach. The key is understanding what you want to showcase and then focusing on composition, rules, and layouts. After that, if the shot doesn’t come out as expected—like the lighting, for example—you can always improve it in the editing stage. I ran a mobile photography course for this reason, and even though the participants had different phones, I had them work on their lighting. I paired a person with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and another with an iPhone 6, which is now considered a weaker model. I had them both work hard on stabilizing the light and taking their shots. Later, when I compared their photos without them knowing which phone had been used for which shot, 90% of them said the photo taken with the iPhone 6 was much better. When they found out it was the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the 6, they were shocked. It’s not about the camera, it's about adjusting the composition and everything, and taking the shot.

Alaa Khalid: What's the final message you'd like to share with people?

Haidy Abolila: Look, I started focusing more on myself and on improving myself. I wanted to be a better version of me today than I was yesterday. I started to develop myself and stopped comparing myself to others—like how old they are or what they've achieved. When I focused on myself, I reached a much better place. Even now, I'm not fully satisfied with where I am, and there are still things I want to do. But the key is to focus on yourself, not on where others are or where they've traveled. I try as much as possible to focus on my own progress, figure out what I want, and then work toward that.

Alaa Khalid: You’re evolving yourself.

Haidy Abolila: Exactly, yes. There was a time in my life when I’d go to studios and beg them to teach me photography. Six months ago, I started noticing those same studios following me on Instagram, and the studio owners who I used to beg now consider me a peer. I reached this point by stopping the mindset that I couldn’t be good at photography unless someone really big in the field taught me. Instead, I focused on my own progress. Suddenly, the photographers I used to admire are now asking me to collaborate on projects. I created my own name.

Alaa Khalid: You’ve built your reputation.

Haidy Abolila: Yes, I’ve built my name. And even now, they don’t know that I was once the one following them. Now, they’re following me. It happened so suddenly, and I’m thankful.

Alaa Khalid: Alhamdulillah, you’ve developed yourself and become better.

Haidy Abolila: Yes, and despite everything, I get upset sometimes, but it’s all by God’s grace. So, I’m thankful.

Alaa Khalid: For example, sometimes I take bad pictures, sometimes good ones. Nobody can deny that. How do I motivate myself more?

Haidy Abolila: Don’t think too far ahead. If you feel like you have a long journey ahead, you might get stuck. For example, people who go to the gym don’t expect to have six-packs overnight. It’s about feeling that you did your best today, and that’s really comforting psychologically. For instance, I might visit a place, and I can take any picture from there. I always love to take pictures of whatever I’m eating when I’m out with friends. I try to make the most of every place I visit in my field. It’s about making the best of the circumstances you're in. At least when you go to bed, you’ll feel that you’ve made progress step by step. You’ll find that you’ve reached something without even realizing it. As long as you live each day fully, it’s about focusing on doing something good today. That’s how I feel about it.

Alaa Khalid: I’m so happy that you’re here with us today on this episode.

Haidy Abolila: I’m happy too, honestly, Alaa.

Alaa Khalid: You’re such a lovely person, seriously.

Haidy Abolila: May God keep you, thank you so much.

Alaa Khalid: Thank you so much, and thanks to everyone for tuning in to today’s episode. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @veracityofart to stay updated with everything new. Bye-bye!