Mariam El Gendy: The fashion photographer’s novel exploration of Egyptian life 

Mariam El Gendy is the 26 year old Egyptian photographer and creative mind making her mark in documentary and fashion photography from her bases in Cairo and London. The former city is her hometown and muse, the catalyst for her entry into the creative realm—one that continues to nourish her with inspiration today. Having worked on high-profile projects, including Amina Muadi’s SS22 campaign, where she served as the director of photography, El Gendy’s talented eye is what sets her apart. She’s done work for Dior, Beats by Dr Dre, and Girls Don’t Cry—brought their visions to life with her camera—but it’s her local, documentary photography that’s bringing a vital new slant of Cairo forward, one we haven’t seen before. 

From a young age, El Gendy’s inclination toward chronicling her surroundings lay in her fascination with the quotidian. “I’ve always been a constant observer, drawn to people-watching, learning from both those close to me and strangers alike,” El Gendy shares with Dazed MENA. “The urge to document it all came naturally as soon as I got my first camera—whether photographing friends or capturing moments on the street. I was always pulled in by beauty, but I quickly realised that my perception of it differed from those around me. From an early age, it was clear that I had a deep fascination with fashion, art, and design, and that passion has stayed with me.”

As with most who grew up in the Global South, El Gendy’s Egyptian upbringing gave her a keen cognisance of worldly reality, grim and unfiltered. She grew to favour photography for its comfortable, transparent quality; it afforded her the ability to represent the unassailable truth of a moment. “From a young age, I was confronted with the realities around me—whether it was the unfair treatment of women or the heartbreaking, ever-present wealth gap,” El Gendy tells us. “With inspiration rooted in both art and politics, documentary photography  became the natural medium for me. It allows me to bridge the worlds of art and the challenges we face every day, using imagery to tell honest stories that reflect both beauty and truth.”

With a camera in her hands, El Gendy has command of the narrative. There’s something to be said about the potent satisfaction in that, particularly when your culture and region’s story has been relentlessly distorted. “Through my photography, I hope to highlight the often-overlooked aspects of Egyptian culture and give a voice to those who aren’t always heard, especially women. I want to challenge societal norms and spark conversations that bridge cultural divides,” El Gendy declares. “By capturing the beauty in everyday moments and the strength within both my immediate and extended community, I aim for my work to reflect our realities while also empowering and uplifting us.”

Facilitating genuine connections with her subjects is paramount for El Gendy, and her work reflects this. Her project ‘Rajaal al Rajal,’ for instance, is a series dismantling appearances surrounding Arab male dominance and masculinity. The photo series is a whimsical subversion of these norms, using childlike elements to make spectacles of prejudice. Through her lens, El Gendy’s male subjects radiate with an endearing warmth. “Ultimately, I hope to foster genuine connections with my subjects, allowing the moments we share to reflect their true character and reality.”

Her documentary photography has had reciprocal effects; taking pictures of her people and home has enriched her own understanding of her identity and surroundings, bringing her closer to her roots. “Cairo has helped me come to terms with certain realities, and I feel a deep responsibility to approach them with care,” she affirms. ”By highlighting themes like femininity and community resilience, I aim to challenge stereotypes and provide a more nuanced view of life in the region, fostering appreciation and dialogue about our shared humanity.”

While her skill is doubtless, it’s the love she has for her culture that makes her images singular. 

Looking at an image of El Gendy’s, it’s as though the initial fascination of the moment transfers from her eyes to that of the viewer—she pulls splendour into sharp relief. “Our region is full of incredible beauty, unique history, and rich creative practices that often go unnoticed,” El Gendy explains. “I’m consistently struck by the abundance of art that surrounds me, whether it’s old or new. There’s something distinctive about the art from our region, infused with deep emotion and rawness.”

The photographer’s excitement for the growth of the creative scene is palpable. “Regardless of where you come from within the region, there’s a shared understanding—a common thread that binds us all together—making the art much more personal and beautiful,” El Gendy concludes. “Our creative presence has become impossible to overlook. We are actively carving out new paths for ourselves and taking control instead of waiting for opportunities to come our way.” With photographers like El Gendy on the scene, the region is bound to be represented with unprecedented authenticity.