Ethnic Nose examines the politicization of the nose—how it has been categorized, judged, and altered through both social pressure and medical intervention. From racialized colonial studies that linked facial features to worth, to modern-day cosmetic surgery trends, the nose has become a site of both cultural pride and internalized colonial beauty standards. By capturing different nose shapes, sizes, ages, and genders from across the region, the project seeks to reclaim and celebrate the natural diversity of MENA features.
Portrait of Yasmine Saliba, photographed in Beirut, Lebanon, in February 2025. Yasmine holds her gaze steady. “I like my nose,” she says without hesitation. “My Italian ex-husband used to say I have a big potato nose, but I always disagreed. I love my nose and my heritage—I see my ancestors in me, and I love it.”
“In a world that often demands we shrink ourselves to meet their gaze, Yasmine’s certainty is an act of quiet defiance. Her nose is not just a feature; it is a testament to lineage, resilience, and self-love.” - Fatima Elie Eljama
Portrait of Dayana Nasereldin photographed in Beirut, Lebanon, in February 2025. Dayana sits for a quiet moment of reflection. When asked how she feels about her nose, she responds with hesitation—“Meh, I don’t know how to be poetic about a nose. It does remind me of my mom, and it does suit my face… but it could be better, certainly.”
“Her words linger, caught between acceptance and the weight of expectation. The image captures that in-between space where self-perception meets inherited features, where familiarity and critique coexist.” - Fatima Elie Eljama
Portrait of Rana Sassine, photographed in Beirut, Lebanon, in February 2025. Rana arrived at the photographer’s studio wearing her grandmother’s dress, carrying portraits of her father and grandmother in her hands. They sat together, exchanging family photos woven into a quiet conversation of inheritance and belonging.
Rana says, "When I was younger, I strongly despised my nose. I wished it were smaller, softer, more ‘feminine’—closer to the Western ideal. I couldn’t wait for the day I’d be old enough to get a nose job. But as I grew older, my perspective shifted, and the nose I once despised became more than just skin and bone—it became a feature that connects me to my dad and grandparents. Today, I appreciate it immensely for the history and love it carries, a reminder of the people I come from."
“In this portrait, past and present meet. The fabric she wears, the features she carries, the stories she holds—each a thread in a lineage that endures.” - Fatima Elie Eljama
Portrait of Diala Zaayter, photographed in Beirut, Lebanon, in February 2025. “Confident,” she says when the photographer asks how she feels about her nose.
“Diala steps into the frame with intention—sunglasses, a scarf, a presence that commands. The accessories frame her, but it’s her certainty that defines the image. Her nose doesn’t just stand out—it stands strong.” - Fatima Elie Eljama
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Fatima Elie Eljama is a Lebanese photographer and artist based in Beirut. She was raised in a matriarchal household, and this comes alive in the softness and strength portrayed in a lot of her work.
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World Press Photo has partnered with the Samir Kassir Foundation to offer a free masterclass program for photojournalists based in Lebanon.
The masterclass’s objective is to develop and guide photographers with 4-8 years of experience in their practice, placing special emphasis on building skills for long and sustainable careers in photojournalism, documentary photography, and beyond. Moreover, this course is designed to help photographers based in Lebanon reach the international community, providing guidance on diverse topics such as safety, research, photo ethics, writing, legal requirements, pitching, career development, and avenues for publishing.
Credit: Fatima Elie Eljama
See more work by Samir Kassir Foundation Masterclass participants here
