Abu Dhabi’s Historic Photo Studios Struggle to Survive in Digital Age
Traditional photography studios in Abu Dhabi continue to hold the belief that a brief moment before a camera can yield a lasting keepsake, even as modern habits shift toward quick passport pictures for visas and the once‑common pre‑wedding portrait sessions fade.
Enduring Tradition
Rima Dandan began taking pictures as a hobby, which later turned into a profession she built over time. In 1995 she opened her first studio in Abu Dhabi, aiming to introduce a distinct vision to the trade. She recalled that her decision to create a ladies‑only branch was hers alone, saying, “I wanted to make it a ladies’ studio, ladies’ branch, and this is my decision alone.” Rima Dandan, owner of Golden Camera photography. Born in Lebanon, she moved to the UAE with her family at the age of seven in 1977 and became the only photographer in her household. She began working as a freelance photographer in 1993 and, two years later, established a studio. From the outset, she insisted that the studio serve women and families. It was this enduring desire to preserve personal milestones that shaped Rima’s own path. But the industry that enabled her to build a career has become increasingly difficult to sustain.
Changing Technology
Another Abu Dhabi establishment, Vivi Studio, carries more than four decades of family history, having hosted birthday celebrations, official portraits and carefully posed pictures that show ageing faces sometimes joined by a new generation. Established since 1985, Jerry Jose Vazhapilly spoke of his father’s studio and the vision behind it, noting that for his father the business was about creating a place where people could preserve important moments. As he counts his privileges of capturing countless milestones and special moments of individuals and families, he speaks of the journey his old studio witnessed. He said, “In those days, photography was a much more traditional and personal process. Looking back, what makes the journey special is that Vivi Studio has continued to be part of Abu Dhabi’s story for more than four decades.” Jerry Vazhappilly, the current owner of Vivi Studio. For Jerry, photography offers a unique record of a city’s transformation. He said, “Over the decades, the city has changed, technology has advanced and people’s lifestyles have evolved,
