The Farm
The Farm
Lahbab, UAE.
The project illustrates the rarely seen day to day caretaking of the UAE’s camels, whilst also showing the natural beauty of the country’s landscape.
For centuries, the camel has been a loyal and steadfast friend to the Emiratis. People of the region forged an indelible emotional bond with this intelligent animal that has survived through thousands of years. Even today, despite urbanisation and modernisation, the camel holds a special place in the heart of every Emirati and continues to be a symbol of their cultural heritage.
Spread over thousands of small camel farms there are 300,000 camels in the UAE, mostly used for breeding, racing and to provide milk. Every single camel has a registered owner.
In 2022, seeking to walk in a beautiful, but fenced-off desert area, I requested access through a camel farm near Lahbab. At the end of my walk, I accepted an invitation from the herdsmen to see their camels.
For three years I have returned to the same farm many times, getting to know camels and herdsmen better with each visit. Most striking are the majestic nature of the camels, and the warm bond between them and their caring minders. Twice I was lucky to catch fleeting glimpses of Arabian gazelle, a vulnerable antelope that is native to the Arabian Peninsula.
The photographs presented are a glimpse of life and routine on the farm for both the camels and the herdsmen – early morning awaking of the camels, feeding time, arrivals and departures for breeding purposes, the camels wandering their natural habitat, cleaning the pens, and mid-morning chai.
The Lonely One
Opening Time
The Bond
Breakfast Time 1
Growing the Herd
Homeward Bound
Release Time
Please don't get in our way
The Watering Trough
The Herdsman
Off at a pace
Sculpted by Nature 
Arabian Sand Gazelles$1,000.00
The Ladder 
The Ghaf Tree$1,000.00
Breakfast Time 2
Shelter
Fateh Muhammad
Recycling Time
Hard Work
Abdul Ghani
And relax.....
The Water Break
Chai Time
Three's a Crowd
Another Day