I am Ibrahim Dirani, a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in photography, videography, training and project management.
During my time as Director and Photography Trainer at Dar Al Mussawir, the leading photography hub in Lebanon, I have overseen projects like the Beirut Image Festival, managed artistic residencies and trained groups and individuals of diverse backgrounds and ages in photography and video techniques. I managed a range of visual storytelling projects in collaboration with organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, or UNRWA on topics such as migration, education, gender equality and violence prevention.
My teaching experience includes a Cinematographic Production course at the University Antonine, Baabda, Beirut, and conducting training sessions for marginalized communities with Zakira- The Image Festival Association. After obtaining a degree in Business Management and a brief experience in banking, I took a turn, like most photographers do, towards a childhood interest in cameras and a desire to paint with light (since I wasn’t skilled in painting and sketching). I found the tool that helped me capture moments, take different stances, and document people and places.
It was on a summer night in 2009 when I met the world-renowned photographer Ramzi Haidar in a noisy Beirut square. This fortunate encounter led to a friendship and partnership spanning over the next 14 years, during which I had the privilege to work with Ramzi in Dar al-Mussawir and Zakira, institutions he founded with the vision to promote photography as an accessible medium of cultural significance and empowerment tool for marginalized communities.
