Heba Khamis (b.1988) is an independent visual journalist, educator, and artist 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. Working with vulnerable communities and underrepresented groups, Khamis explores the psychological dimensions of image-making, questions of representation, and the conditions necessary for psychological safety. Her work brings together artistic sensitivity and journalistic rigor to create images and experiences that challenge dominant narratives and invite deeper reflection. While photography remains central to her practice, she also works with spatial installations, text, and participatory methods. Her projects create spaces for encounter, care, and critical reflection, questioning the power dynamics between photographer and subject, as well as between image-maker and audience.
At the heart of her practice lies an ongoing question: Why? Driven by a desire to understand the motivations behind human actions, both her own and those of others, Khamis approaches image-making as a shared process of inquiry. Through her work, she invites subjects and audiences to reflect on their own motivations, transforming photography into an opportunity for empathy, dialogue, and personal discovery.
Khamis holds a BA in Painting and began her career as a photojournalist during Egypt’s 2011 revolution. She later developed her visual practice through studies at the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX) in Denmark and Leibniz University Hannover in Germany. In 2020, she studied art therapy at Metàfora in Spain, further informing her approach to image-making through care and psychological insight.
Her work has received recognition from PhMuseum and Reuters and has been published in The New York Times, Le Monde, GEO, and CNN, among others. She has received commissions from UNICEF, Save the Children, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Her work has been exhibited internationally, including in the Netherlands, Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. She has served on juries including the Nikon Photo Contest and the Premio Luis Valtueña awards.
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: @hebakhamis_
