Colors of Saudi is the largest photography meeting that accrues in Saudi Arabia. It was launched in 2012 by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage under His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman's patronage. It takes place annually in Riyadh, usually held in December at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. I knew about this meeting in 2016 for the first time but couldn’t attend since I was in Japan. In 2017, I was able to participate as a visitor, and I remember how excited I was. I did not expect to see all those Saudi photographers (males and females!) because I never thought photography mattered to Saudis or that it even existed in the kingdom (ignorant of me). However, I enjoyed the exhibition and got to know and meet many creative and beautiful people who share the same passion.
Colors of Saudi event is a great chance to see many Saudi photographers exhibiting their work, governmental and private exhibitors, and local and international companies providing photography services and equipment. You can also attend specialized lectures by photographers, cinematographers, and personnel in related areas. National and international photographers also hold workshops with additional fees.
About seven months before the colors of Saudi begins, the colors of Saudi photography contest open for submission for two main categories; Tourism film contest and Saudi photography contest, which include subcategories such as cultural heritage, from the sky, landscape, and nature, Saudi Arabia today, Saudi Arabia in global eyes, smartphone, and people’s choice.
When I visited the exhibition in 2017, I had no decent photos to participate in since I returned from Japan and still adapted and settled in. Therefore, I decided to wait until the 2018’s contest opens and participate.
When the submission opened in May 2018, I applied, not thinking that they would choose one of my photos. However, in November, I received a call from one of the organizers congratulating me that my photo, which I had submitted for the smartphone photography category, had been elected by the judges and won!
Group photo with his highness Prince Sultan Bin Salman
It was such a proud moment to receive third place in the smartphone photography contest and meet his Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman who kindly stopped by my photo at the winner's booth and complimented it. I am so thankful for this award that made me feel recognized, confident, and present in the Saudi society of photographers.
My photo exhibited at the hall entrance