SYRIA THE WILL TO SURVIVE

Exclusive Interview with Sameer Al-Doumy

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Sameer Al-Doumy is a Syrian photographer born in 1998 in the city of Douma. He worked on covering the war that has been devastating his country for the last 7 years. He began his media work as an activist in the middle of 2011 as the Syrian peaceful uprising began. In the middle of 2012, the Syrian regime forces besieged Douma from all sides and attacked the city. In 2014, Al-Doumy became interested in photography and started browsing the internet for tutorials to learn more. He developed his skills by self-training, without any academic training.

In late 2014, he began working for Agence France-Press as a freelance photographer. Since then, he has won several renowned international photography awards for his work.

Believing in the importance of showing the truth to the whole world, amplifying the voice of the vulnerable people, documenting the injustice and the human rights violations, spreading news and sharing reality: those were the main reasons that pushed him to carry a camera and start taking photos. He believes in photography as a way to change and to achieve justice, and this is what motivates him to keep working in such a harsh situation, giving him the strength to continue his quest.

Lens Magazine: Thank you Sameer, For the opportunity to have an interview with you. We are honored to feature your work and to expose the difficulties of the everyday life in the heart of Syria. It’s a painful, heartbreaking situation.