Jewel Samad

Jewel Samad is a Bangladeshi-American photojournalist and editor, currently serving as Photo Editor-in-Chief for Agence France-Presse (AFP) in the Middle East and North Africa, based in Nicosia, Cyprus. With over two decades of experience at AFP, he has built a distinguished career defined by compelling visual storytelling, editorial leadership, and frontline coverage of world events.

Samad began his career as a young photographer in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before joining AFP in 1996. Over the years, he has been posted across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, where he covered major political events, conflicts, and humanitarian crises. During his six-year assignment on the White House photo team, he documented key moments of U.S. politics and diplomacy.

His fieldwork has taken him to some of the most pivotal global stories of recent decades — from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to natural disasters, mass protests, and international sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. His photographs are recognized for their immediacy, depth, and human perspective, reflecting both the urgency of breaking news and the resilience of those living through it.

Now leading AFP’s regional photo operations in MENA, Samad oversees the agency’s visual coverage of complex and fast-developing news across dozens of countries. His editorial approach prioritizes accuracy, ethical integrity, and empathy, ensuring AFP’s imagery continues to inform global audiences with credibility and nuance.

Samad’s work has been published and exhibited worldwide, appearing in leading international media outlets. 


World Press Photo Involvement:
2026 World Press Photo Contest jury member