About me

I am Muhammad Abu Bakar, a photographer and visual storyteller with a deep focus on people, places, and heritage. Photography for me is not just a profession—it is a way of observing culture, documenting identity, and preserving moments that often go unnoticed. My work is shaped by years of travel across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, where I have photographed communities, landscapes, architecture, and everyday life with a documentary approach.

Before fully committing to photography, I built my career in finance and leadership. I am a Fellow Member of ACCA and have worked as a Finance Head in senior roles. That background has had a strong influence on how I operate creatively today—bringing structure, discipline, reliability, and accountability into a field that often lacks it. I founded my creative ventures in 2016, combining artistic independence with professional execution.

Muhammad Abu Bakar, Award winning Documentary photographer based in the UAE taking photo of the Liwas\ Desert.

Accomplishments & Recognition

Over the years, my photography has received multiple international awards and recognitions. My work has been shortlisted, awarded, and published across respected global platforms, reflecting consistent quality rather than one-off success. These recognitions span documentary, travel, and fine-art photography, particularly focusing on cultural heritage, desert landscapes, and human stories.

Beyond awards, my work has been used by institutions, brands, and publications to visually communicate narratives with authenticity and depth. Selected projects have been exhibited, published, and collected as fine-art prints. Recognition, however, is secondary to the core intent of my work: creating images that remain relevant and meaningful over time.

Tokina Lenses logo on a black background.
A circular badge or award sticker that says 'BIFA Silver Winner 2021' and 'Budapest International Photo Awards'.
Sony World Photography Awards logo on a black background.
Logo for 35 Awards featuring the number 35 within a laurel wreath, with the text 'Since 2015' and '35 Awards' below.
Moscow International Foto Awards logo with the word 'mifa' in red, and the word 'WINNER' underneath.
H Hipa International Photography Awards Honorably Mention 2021
Yellow background with a multicolored logo and the text 'HIPA FINALIST'.
Logo of The Filipino Times with white text and yellow lines on a dark blue circular background.
CNN logo with white text on a red circular background.
Monovisions Black and White Photography Awards logo with black background and circular design.
Logo with the word 'DUBAI' in stylized white letters on a purple circular background, with the words 'Culture' and Arabic script beneath.

Abu Bakar Photography

Abu Bakar Photography is my personal photography platform, where I showcase my portfolio and take on commissioned work. The practice operates under Bu Elee Creative Studios, with registered companies in both the United Kingdom (Limited) and the United Arab Emirates (LLC). I am the founder of both entities, allowing me to serve clients across regions while maintaining a single creative vision and consistent standards.

Services I Provide

I offer professional photography and videography services across a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Architecture Photography

  • Image Licensing

  • Documentary Photography

  • Fine Art Photography (Black & White)

Each project is approached with careful planning, respect for context, and a focus on storytelling rather than staged visuals.

My Specialisation

While I work across commercial and event-based assignments, my personal specialisation lies in People, Places, and Heritage photography. I am drawn to environments shaped by history, culture, and human presence—whether that is an old city, a remote landscape, or everyday life unfolding quietly.

This documentary mindset influences all my work, including corporate and industrial projects, ensuring visuals remain honest, contextual, and purposeful.