Family Portrait Photography Workshop in Sharjah: Celebrating Family Through the Art of Photography
UBMS x Sharjah Museums Authority x Sony x Hollyland — 16 May 2026
As part of the UAE's Year of the Family, UBMS brought the photography community together in Sharjah for a Family Portrait Photography Workshop, held as part of the official Family Year Day celebration hosted by Sharjah Museums Authority.
The idea was simple: family moments deserve to be remembered, and photography has the power to turn those moments into lasting memories. More than 90 photographers and photography enthusiasts joined for a day of learning, sharing, and exploring the art of family portrait photography — looking at family photography from both a creative and technical perspective, and at how a portrait can carry emotion, connection, and a family's own story, not just a technically good shot.
Learning the Art of Portrait Photography
The session covered the foundations and more advanced sides of portrait photography, including:
- Composition and framing
- Working with light
- Positioning and directing subjects
- Creating natural, engaging expressions
- Building a connection between photographer and subject
- Reading the visual story behind a family portrait
- Working with professional photography equipment
From Theory to Practice
The hands-on portion of the day was the highlight: attendees moved beyond theory to apply composition, lighting, positioning, and direction with real portrait scenarios, seeing firsthand how a small shift in camera position, light, or subject direction can change a portrait completely. The goal wasn't just showing how to take a portrait — it was helping photographers understand why certain creative and technical choices make a stronger image.
In Collaboration with Sony and Hollyland
The workshop was made possible through collaboration with Sony and Hollyland, bringing professional imaging and communication solutions into the practical learning experience. Attendees got to work with professional equipment in a real workshop setting and see how the right tools support the creative process — from capturing the image to running an efficient shoot.
Photography as a Way to Celebrate Family
Family photography is about more than a well-composed image — it's about capturing relationships, personalities, and moments families will look back on for years. That made this workshop a fitting part of the UAE Year of the Family: bringing photographers together around family portraiture connected technical learning with a wider celebration of family, community, and preserving memories. For UBMS, it was also a chance to give back to the photography community with a day of learning, practice, and connection.
Watch the Highlights
Event Gallery
Thank you to Sharjah Museums Authority, Sony, and Hollyland for making the day possible — and to everyone who joined us. 90+ photographers, one shared passion, and countless family stories waiting to be captured.
