Pocket Power: How Mobile Photography Changed The Lives Of These Middle East Creators

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

At Dubai's 1 Billion Followers Summit this weekend, amid packed halls and creator-led panels, one of the workshops brought together Saudi visual storyteller Rashed Alsubaie and Kuwaiti photographer Abdulaziz Alsorayai - two creators whose careers have evolved in parallel with the rise of mobile photography.

Armed with nothing more than an iPhone 17 Pro, the duo demonstrated how a device once dismissed as“casual” has become a legitimate professional tool. Their subject was a live Al Sadu weaving performance.

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For Alsorayai, content creation wasn't an overnight pivot. Before building an audience of creators eager to learn from him, his focus was firmly commercial. He was producing brand films, documentaries, and event coverage across food, beverage, and corporate sectors.

“What made me take content creation seriously,” he says in a chat with Khaleej Times,“was realising how in-demand it became and how many people genuinely want guidance.” Sharing knowledge about gear and techniques pushed him to constantly research and grow. His content became a space about usefulness. That accessibility would soon define his relationship with mobile photography.

Neither Alsorayai nor Alsubaie set out with a rigid plan to define their niche. Instead, it emerged through experimentation, consistency, and audience response.“When people respond to what you share,” Alsorayai says,“you start to understand what you're truly known for and what value you're adding.”

In a region where creative trends move fast and platforms reward immediacy, both creators have resisted the urge to chase virality. Awareness of trends is important, Alsorayai admits, but living by them can dilute identity.“My goal isn't to follow trends,” he says.“It's to create work that can set one.”

Why the iPhone replaced the camera bag

For both creators, the iPhone has become central to their daily workflow. Alsorayai talks about how speed and presence are key factors for his choice.“It's always with me,” he says.“I can shoot and publish quickly without slowing the moment down.”

Alsubaie points to how far mobile technology has come.“The iPhone has reached a level of potential that is professional enough for documenting daily life,” he explains.“It's not heavy. There are no lenses to carry. You take it out, press one button, and you start recording.”

The two creators also believe shooting on a phone actually raises expectations.“It raises the bar,” says Alsorayai.“If you truly understand the tool, you can get results that beat bigger gear by a long margin.”

What excites them most about the iPhone 17 Pro are the specs. Alsorayai points to features like ProRes, which bring professional-grade video workflows to a mobile device.“Apple doesn't add power just for the sake of power,” he says.“When a new capability arrives, it's designed to serve creators.”

Alsubaie, meanwhile, is drawn to the diversity of features provided by the three cameras. "They offer the equivalent of 8 lenses," he says. "From the 8x zoom to the Ultra Wide and the other great features this iPhone provides, all make shooting more exciting and enjoyable for me."

The fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, the world's largest event dedicated to shaping the content creator economy, ended on Friday, January 9.

The Summit hosted over 500 speakers, with a combined audience of 3.5 billion followers, and over 150 CEOs and global experts in its various sessions and dialogues.

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