I’m Khaled Almoayyed — a Bahrain-based photographer with a full-time career in marketing and PR, and a background in advertising and creative direction.

Photography isn’t my job. It’s my obsession. It’s where I experiment, escape, and make something strange out of the ordinary.

It started early. I wore out my VHS copies of Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mars Attacks! — all way too dark and weird for a kid my age, but I was hooked. Tim Burton changed my world. His off-center visuals, theatrical sets, and absurd, outsider characters made me feel something I didn’t have a name for at the time. I’ve been obsessed ever since.

I always had a camera in my hand growing up, but things shifted when I shadowed a photographer in Newcastle during my time in the UK. Watching him work in his studio pushed me to take photography more seriously — or at least trust that there was something here worth following.

Since then, everything I’ve done in photography has been self-taught — driven by curiosity, intuition, and an unapologetic love for storytelling.

My work sits somewhere between editorial portraiture and surreal pop fantasy. Sometimes it’s ridiculous, sometimes it’s playful, sometimes it’s sharp — but it always has a point of view. I know it’s not for everyone, and I’m perfectly fine with that.

I shoot from my own studio and take on commissions when the idea excites me. Every project is custom — built around the story, the person, and the concept.

I’ve never just looked to photographers for inspiration. I’ve always been drawn to the worlds built by people like Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Tarantino, David Lynch — and the boldness of someone like Prince. I love work that feels a little surreal, a little off-center, and full of personality.

In photography, I admire artists like Gregory Crewdson, Tim Walker, Julia Fullerton-Batten (who I had the chance to learn from recently), Richard Ansett, Helmut Newton, and David LaChapelle — all of whom have shown me what’s possible when you treat a photo like a set, a character, and a story all at once.

I’ve always loved pop culture. I want to make it my mission to create as many visual love letters to it as I can — and one day, publish a gloriously weird book of my work. If there’s an agent or publisher reading this... hi. Let’s talk.

Until then, I’m just building one idea at a time — still experimenting, still evolving.

  • "I recently had a photoshoot with Khaled for our team, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional.

    Khaled captured stunning portraits of each team member, blending creativity with professionalism.

    He made us all feel incredibly comfortable, going above and beyond to ensure even our shyest member could loosen up and enjoy the shoot. The studio atmosphere, Khaled's talent as a photographer, and the quality of the final photos were all top-notch.

    I couldn't be happier with the results! He’s the first that comes to mind when people ask me to recommend a photographer to them."

    - ZAHRA A.

  • "Working with Khaled truly inspires the playfulness that we all need to bring out. Through his creative genius, he holds space for our fantasies and encourages us to bring them to life, to laugh, and to let our imaginations run wild.

    His ability to bend reality in a beautiful way shows that there are no limits to what we can conjure.

    I had the privilege of working with Khaled to curate a show about identity and even had the chance to pose as a man—an experience I never thought possible.

    This transformative and freeing experience allowed me to step into a new perspective and explore the fluidity of identity, a testament to Khaled’s unique ability to challenge and expand the boundaries of reality."

    - LAILA A.

  • " Khaled recently took professional pictures of my mother-in-law, and we were all incredibly impressed.

    His professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to capture her essence beautifully made the experience truly special.

    Highly recommend Khaled for any photography needs!"

    - BASMA A.

  • "Khaled made the portrait session fun and effortless! Plus, he delivered the final photos faster than I could have imagined.

    If you’re looking for great photos with quick turnaround, Khaled’s your go-to, without a doubt."

    - FAISAL B.

  • "I recently had a fantastic experience with Khaled for a Peter Pan-themed photoshoot with my kids.

    Khaled was incredibly professional and made us feel at ease from the start. He had prepared an enchanting set with amazing props and costumes, bringing the magic of Peter Pan to life.

    Khaled’s patience and creativity shone through as he directed us throughout the shoot.

    The photos turned out to be magical, capturing the essence of each character beautifully. His attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless and enjoyable.

    I highly recommend Khaled for a unique and memorable photoshoot experience.

    Thank you, Khaled, for capturing such precious memories for my family!"

    - SAMA A.

  • "My time with Khaled at his studio was a delightful and unique experience. We went there for some professional yet fun headshots for our team, and I can honestly say it was a blast for everyone involved!

    The studio had a creative and enjoyable atmosphere. We listened to music, made coffee, and relaxed as if we were at a friend’s place.

    Khaled’s professional yet laid-back approach made us feel right at home, encouraging us to try both out-of-the-box and playful ideas.

    I highly recommend Khaled for anyone looking for a fun and unforgettable photo session.

    The photos and great memories we walked away with were definitely worth it!"

    - NOOR M.