Photojournalism From Gaza to the World: Eman Mohammed’s Journey, Resilience, and the Power of Long‑Term Stories
Archive Episode – Aired in 2023
Discover how Eman Mohammed became Gaza’s first female photojournalist, why she chooses long‑term projects over spot news, and how her iconic “jacuzzi‑on‑the‑rubble” image captures resilience after war. Learn insights for aspiring photojournalists and storytellers.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Eman Mohammed?
- Breaking Barriers: The First Woman Photojournalist in Gaza
- The Iconic Jacuzzi Image: Symbol of Life After Conflict
- Why Long‑Term Projects Matter
- Preparing for War Coverage: Gear, Safety, and Mental Health
- Behind the Book: The Cracks in My Lens (2022)
- The “Broken Souvenirs” Project: Trauma Without Borders
- Key Takeaways for Emerging Photojournalists
- Further Resources & Links
1. Who Is Eman Mohammed?
- Award‑winning photojournalist and Senior TED Fellow based in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Born in Saudi Arabia, raised from age two in Gaza.
- Published in The Guardian, CNN, Le Monde, Vice, The Washington Post, and more.
“I was a complete mess during my first war—no protective gear, no electricity, a twisted ankle, and a 22‑day conflict.” – Eman Mohammed
Her career is a blend of visual artistry, human‑rights advocacy, and mental‑health awareness.
2. Breaking Barriers: The First Woman Photojournalist in Gaza
| Challenge | How Eman Responded |
|---|---|
| Male‑dominated field | Turned resistance into motivation; asked “why isn’t there a woman photojournalist?” |
| Cultural taboos | Leveraged her unique access to women’s stories that male crews cannot reach. |
| Lack of role models locally | Inspired by women photographers worldwide—Rula Halawani (West Bank), Marie Colvin (Syria), etc. |
| Limited resources | Began with a simple backpack, later secured protective gear and international support. |
3. The Iconic Jacuzzi Image: Symbol of Life After Conflict
The Story Behind the Shot
- Setting: After the 2008‑2009 Gaza war, a jacuzzi survived the demolition of a Palestinian man’s house.
- Visual: Children taking a bubble bath on top of the rubble—a shocking yet hopeful tableau.
Why It Resonates
- Resilience: Shows life continuing amid devastation.
- Human Connection: Highlights an unusual friendship between a Palestinian worker and his Israeli boss, hinting at shared humanity.
- Narrative Depth: Eman focused on the children, not the destruction, turning tragedy into a universal story of hope.
Alt Text Suggestion for Web: Children playing in a bubble bath on war‑torn rubble in Gaza, taken by Eman Mohammed, representing resilience after conflict.
4. Why Long‑Term Projects Matter
From Spot News to In‑Depth Storytelling
- Spot news captures the immediate event (e.g., rockets falling).
- Long‑term projects uncover causes, aftermath, and human impact.
Benefits Highlighted by Eman Mohammed
- Deeper Understanding: Reveals how extremism forms, how societies heal.
- Narrative Cohesion: Allows “layers of mental health, tragedy, resilience” to emerge over time.
- Ethical Responsibility: Offers a full picture rather than “half information.”
Practical Steps for Photographers
- Identify a core question (e.g., “What happens after a house is destroyed?”).
- Allocate time—months or years rather than days.
- Build trust with subjects for ongoing access.
- Document both visual and oral histories.
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5. Preparing for War Coverage: Gear, Safety, and Mental Health
Gear & Logistics (What Eman Mohammed Learned the Hard Way)
- Early days: No protective vest, no backup batteries, unreliable electricity.
- Now: One spare battery, basic body armor, portable solar charger, reliable backup storage.
Safety Strategies
- Know the locality—local journalists share the same surprise factor as residents.
- Secure evacuation routes (even if embassies may be limited).
- Maintain communication with a trusted network of fellow journalists.
Mental Health & PTSD
- Therapy is essential – Eman stresses continual sessions, not a one‑off fix.
- Peer support: Sharing experiences with other photojournalists reduces isolation.
- Self‑care practices: Regular sleep, nutrition, and moments of “mental break” from intense material.
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6. Behind the Book: The Cracks in My Lens (2022)
- Limited‑edition memoir chronicling a decade‑plus of Gaza coverage.
- Challenges: Re‑seeing traumatic images, translating feelings into words, language barrier (English not native).
- Therapeutic Value: Forced Eman to process memories, confront PTSD, and articulate the “smell, taste, view” of daily life under siege.
- Availability: A few copies remain on her website (pre‑order if you’re a collector).
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7. The “Broken Souvenirs” Project: Trauma Without Borders
- Concept: Pair powerful images with survivor quotes, omitting national identifiers to emphasize universal pain.
- Scope: Gaza, September 11 survivors, Oklahoma bombing, Armenian genocide, Native American genocide, etc.
- Six‑Degrees‑of‑Separation: Every subject is linked within six connections, highlighting our interconnected humanity.
Why the Anonymity?
- Focus on emotion, not geopolitics.
- Encourages viewers to see the shared human cost, regardless of “nation.”
Broken Souvenirs photo project, war trauma photography, universal storytelling
8. Key Takeaways for Emerging Photojournalists
- Find your “absence” – let gaps in representation fuel your purpose.
- Leverage gender or cultural position to access untold stories.
- Prioritize long‑term narratives over fleeting headlines.
- Prepare pragmatically: gear, safety plans, mental‑health resources.
- Collaborate and mentor: Reach out to established photographers (e.g., Adrees Latif, Carol Guzy, Yunghi Kim).
- Tell stories ethically: Respect subjects, avoid sensationalism, and consider anonymity when it serves the story.
9. Further Resources & Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| 10 Frames Per Second Podcast – Episode with Eman Mohammed | [Listen on 10fps.net] |
| Eman Mohammed’s Portfolio & Book Store | [emanphotography.com] |
| TED Talk by Eman Mohammed | [TED.com/eman-mohammed] |
| Aftermath Project Grant (Sarah Terry) | [aftermathgrant.org] |
| Mental‑Health Support for Journalists – Dart Center | [dartcenter.org] |
| Gear Checklist for Conflict Photographers | [photojournalistgear.com] |
Ready to Capture Stories That Matter?
If you’re an aspiring photojournalist, remember Eman Mohammed’s mantra: “Document the aftermath, stay curious, and never let the absence of representation silence you.” Start small, think long‑term, and let your lens reveal the resilience humanity carries in even the darkest moments.
Feel free to share this post on social media, tag Eman Mohammed, or join the conversation about ethical, long‑term photojournalism.
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