Local photographer wins prestigious international award

Local freelance photographer Ismail Niyaz Mohamed has won an award for his skills at world’s leading design competition, the A’ Design Award and Competition.

Niyaz has been working as a freelance photographer for over 16 years, and is now ranked 48th globally for design photography on the DAC design classifications website.

Niyaz won his award in the photography and photo manipulation design category at International Design Academy's A’ Design Award and Competition for one of his photos which was featured on the cover of the Liveaboard Magazine.

“They [the organizers] invited to make a photo submission. They said I had a high chance of winning. That’s why I submitted that photo,” said Niyaz, explaining how the organizers invited him to make the submission after getting their hands on his portfolio.

“I had little hope of winning,” he said.

Niyaz travelled to Milan - the global capital of fashion and design – to accept the award in June.

“I am very happy to have won this prestigious award. This is a huge honor,” said Niyaz.

Niyaz, subsequent to winning the award, made history by becoming the first Maldivian to be featured on the world design ranking.

Niyaz is a household name in wedding photography, food photography and real estate photography.