Mostafa Ajjawi
Mostafa Ajjawi is a Sharjah-based photographer known for his vibrant cityscape, landscape, architectural and time-lapse photography. Born in Jordan and living in the UAE since 1998, he began his photographic journey in 2011 while studying Mechanical Engineering. What started as a personal exploration quickly evolved into a deep artistic pursuit, earning Mostafa international recognition for his bold use of colour, dynamic compositions, and atmospheric post-production techniques. His signature style blends technical precision with a dramatic visual mood that has become instantly recognisable across his work.
Mostafa’s images are typically captured during golden hours—sunset, sunrise and blue hour—when natural light enhances detail and emotion. He is drawn to overcast skies and cloud formations, using them to create balanced exposures and visual depth. His approach is rooted in patience and dedication, often returning to locations multiple times to capture the perfect light and composition. With a passion for travel, his portfolio spans countries across Asia, including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan, where he explores the diversity of culture and landscape through a cinematic lens.
Sharjah holds a particularly special place in his heart. In his exhibition Whispers of the Sky: Sharjah from Above, Mostafa presented the emirate from elevated vantage points, revealing the city’s architectural grace, natural beauty, and shifting skies in ways rarely seen. His work has been recognised in prestigious competitions, including awards from Sharjah Art Museum, National Geographic, and Xposure, where his aerial photograph Crowded Snaky Road was shortlisted among the top seven in its category in 2022.
With a focus on sunset, sunrise, and the dramatic light of cloudy days, Mostafa Ajjawi creates vibrant images full of mood and motion. Whether working in Sharjah or travelling abroad, his photography reveals unseen angles and atmospheric tones, built through a dedication to timing, return visits and a keen sense of light. His exhibition Whispers of the Sky captures the changing essence of Sharjah from the air, while his award-winning work continues to appear in exhibitions and competitions across the region and beyond.
Mostafa’s accolades include winning the 2023 Sharjah Art Museum’s Art of Architectural Ornamentations competition and the 2022 Abu Dhabi in People’s Eyes award. Xposure, HIPA and National Geographic Abu Dhabi have shortlisted his work in competitions. He also earned first place in the Sharjah Lights Festival short video competition and was honoured with a photograph gifted to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi. His growing presence in the regional photography scene matches his commitment to exploring visual storytelling through light, patience, and artistic vision.
Mostafa’s accolades span more than a decade of photographic excellence. In addition to his widely recognised aerial work, he was awarded first place at the Al Ain Zoo photography competition in 2016 and secured second place in the Arab Youth Cup, representing the UAE among all Arab nations. His short video entry won first place in the 2015 Sharjah Lights Festival competition, and he was awarded third place at the Lasting Impressions exhibition at Sharjah Art Museum in 2014. That same year, his image of Al-Noor Mosque was selected as a gift for His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi.
• “Through the Lens” Photo Gallery – Exhibited a Photography Photo Gallery at American University of Sharjah – Main building, 2013
Kul Al Usra Magazine
• A two-page photo journal featuring selected works of mine was published in Kul Al Usra Magazine
• Gulf Photo Plus – Two of my photographs were selected by the Emirates Photography Club (EPyC) for the exhibition The UAE Through EPyC Eyes, 2014
• Vantage Point 2 photo Exhibition – Several of my works were selected by the Sharjah Art Foundation for exhibition
• “Emirates Today” newspaper published 1 page photo journal which was a collection of some architectural photos that I took in Sharjah
