Heba Khamis (b.1988) is an Egyptian independent visual researcher, educator, and practitioner whose work explores the ethics and emotional impact of documenting sensitive social issues.
Her practice unfolds at the intersection of image, space, and psyche, where photography becomes a living dialogue rather than a static record. Khamis’s work often engages with vulnerable communities and minorities, focusing on the psychological dimensions of image-making and psychological safety. Often addressing themes underrepresented or misrepresented in mainstream media, Khamis blends artistic sensitivity with journalistic rigor to create imagery that is both visually compelling and socially resonant. While photography remains central to her practice, she extends it into spatial installations, text, and participatory methods. Each project becomes a space of encounter, care, and critical reflection, questioning not only the power dynamics between photographer and subject but also between audience and maker.
At the heart of her practice lies an ongoing question: Why? a search to understand the motivations behind human actions, her own and those of others. Through image-making, she invites her subjects and audiences to reflect on their ‘why,’ transforming photography into a shared act of inquiry, empathy, and becoming.
Khamis holds a BA in Painting and began her career as a photojournalist during Egypt’s 2011 revolutions, later refining her visual language through studies at DMJX in Denmark and Hannover University. In 2020, she studied art therapy at Metà fora in Spain, grounding her artistic approach in care and psychological insight.
Khamis has received recognition from PhMuseum and Reuters. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Le Monde, GEO, and CNN, and more. She has been commissioned by UNICEF, Save the Children, and the ICRC. She has exhibited internationally, including in the Netherlands, Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. She has served on juries such as the Nikon Photo Contest and the ECCA–DMJX Grant (2024).
World Press Photo Involvement:
2026 World Press Photo Contest jury member
2019 World Press Photo Contest winner
2018 World Press Photo Contest winner
2017 Joop Swart Masterclass participant
Heba Khamis on Social Media:
Instagram: @heba_khamis
