The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photography Award (HIPA) HIPA to Exhibit ‘Faces’, A Series of Photographs Captured by Syrian Children

A HIPA team had visited the camp in November 2013, under instruction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai to offer photography training and workshops for the children inside the camp and inspire them to take up the art form in their new home. The children were also presented with new cameras and were encouraged to continue with their new passion in their spare time.

Commenting on the exhibition, the Secretary General of HIPA Ali bin Thalith said "We are immensely proud to have contributed positively to the Syrian children of the Emirati-Jordanian Camp who are still adjusting to their new home and surroundings. The children are very excited to know that their work will be exhibited in Dubai at a popular attraction such as the Dubai mall". Bin Thalith continued "the reason behind exhibiting photographs taken by the children is to capture the thoughts and the emotions of what many of these children had experienced through the lens of theircameras. Many of the photographs taken had very powerful undertones which will capture the hearts and minds of many visitors to the exhibition."

Photo Exhibition 'Faces' by Syrian Children / Courtesy of HIPA

Currently in its third season of competition, the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award is set to be the richest photography award in the world for the second season running. Founded in 2011 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the award is set to boast a grand prize of $120,000 and an overall prize pool of $389,000.