At daybreak, as Salma Aziz Alqasir eases the patrol boat away from the shoreline, she is sure that her trusted Canon camera is beside her. On any morning, she might capture a pod of dolphins, turtle tracks in the sand or evidence of illegal fishing. Every photograph becomes part of the Reserve’s conservation story.

One of the Reserve’s 231 rangers, Salma is part of the Middle East’s first female sea ranger corps and a graduate of the Reserve’s recent DSLR photography training program. She has found a way to combine her two passions: conservation and visual storytelling through photography.

Growing up in Duba, one of the Reserve’s historic coastal towns, Salma spent her childhood exploring its beaches and mountains, long before the Reserve came to exist. That early connection to the land and sea inspires her work today as a ranger. “Every time I patrol the reserve, it feels like I’m revisiting pieces of my childhood all over again,’ she says.”

As a child, Salma loved taking pictures and was the resident school photographer; already boasting a portfolio at nine years old. Recognizing talent in his youngest daughter, her father gifted her his instant camera. Salma says, “My parents have always played a significant role in shaping my dreams. My mother continues to support me as I carry out my work duties as a ranger. Most importantly, I see how proud my daughter is of me, and I can see the impact of conservation awareness to a new generation.”

The curiosity that first drew Salma behind a camera also led her into science. She trained as a laboratory specialist, but discovered she preferred studying nature where it exists, in the field rather than under a microscope. She first heard about the ranger program through locals and immediately felt that the role strongly resonated with her values. She was accepted into the ranger training program in 2025 and has not looked back. Today, she is proud to play her part in protecting the natural heritage of the Reserve, and to use her lifelong love of photography in her job.

Initially, Salma patrolled the Reserve’s terrestrial area, but then came the opportunity to train as a sea ranger. “It was one thing to do land patrols, but it evolved into an unexpected fondness for the sea when I qualified as a marine ranger. I soon realized that my favorite species to observe and photograph are dolphins because they remind me of my own curious nature,” explains Salma.

Salma proudly says, “For me, being a ranger and a photographer work hand in hand. I can never be one without the other.”

“Whether photographing dolphins, birds or the changing marine environment – it’s not just about the picture. I keep learning about the relationship we have to the animal world and it inspires me to do my part in protecting nature,” she adds.

The Reserve’s photography training program has honed Salma’s hobby. The first workshop took place in October last year, when Salma was chosen as one of 13 from a group of almost 80 candidates for her attention to detail and natural talent. Two weeks of rigorous workshopping covered the use of DSLR cameras, followed by a further 6-months of mentorship where each photographer worked towards finding their niche. As the months progressed, Salma’s understanding of her environment deepened.

Before the course, Salma simply photographed what she found beautiful. Today, she carefully considers lighting, composition, camera settings and, most importantly, the story each image should tell. She credits the program with changing how she sees the natural world and now views her environment with much more clarity. She can spend hours searching for wildlife or waiting for the perfect light before taking a single image. For Salma, if that photograph encourages even one person to value the Reserve a little more, the wait is worthwhile.

Inspired by National Geographic wildlife photographer David Chancellor, who mentored Salma during a recent wildlife reintroduction, she continues to develop her craft while investing in new equipment and has a growing interest in wildlife filmmaking. Salma says, “My most memorable wildlife encounter of that day was during the release of the Red-necked ostrich in the Reserve. I had no idea how large the bird was compared to what I imagined before seeing it, and needed a moment to conquer my fears. Most important, I learned a lot about waiting for the right moment.”

Every patrol ends with photographs. Some become scientific records, while others tell stories that inspire people to care about conservation. For Salma, that is the purpose behind every image, not simply to capture wildlife, but to help ensure that her daughter’s generation and beyond will still have the chance to see it.