Hi, I’m Michel Hanna Akawy, a photographer and videographer based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I freelance on events, portraits, food and product photography, and I also cover aerial photography and on-set camera work. I love telling visual stories through light, composition, and collaboration with directors and cinematographers to bring ideas to life. I’m proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer, and I’ve worked with agencies, studios, and freelance clients around the region.

Michel Hanna Akawy

Hi, I’m Michel Hanna Akawy, a photographer and videographer based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I freelance on events, portraits, food and product photography, and I also cover aerial photography and on-set camera work. I love telling visual stories through light, composition, and collaboration with directors and cinematographers to bring ideas to life. I’m proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer, and I’ve worked with agencies, studios, and freelance clients around the region.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Michel Hanna Akawy, a photographer and videographer based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I freelance on events, portraits, food and product photography, and I also cover aerial photography and on-set camera work.

I love telling visual stories through light, composition, and collaboration with directors and cinematographers to bring ideas to life. I’m proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer, and I’ve worked with agencies, studios, and freelance clients around the region.

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Language

Arabic
Fluent
English
Fluent
French
Advanced

Work Experience

Freelance Photographer/Videographer at Self-employed
April 1, 2016 - Present
Photographer and videographer specializing in events, portraits, food, and product photography; proficient in camera operation and post-production editing to deliver high-quality visuals.
Photographer, Videographer, Editor at Hady Semaan Photography
May 31, 2017 - October 6, 2025
Captured stills and video for various client projects, performed video editing, and contributed to post-production workflows.
Aerial Photographer at Independent
July 1, 2016 - Present
Photographed earth segments and other subjects from aircraft; managed exposure, shutter speed, and focus; performed post-production work including rough editing and sequence assembly.
Second Camera Assistant at Media Square Rental House
August 31, 2023 - October 6, 2025
Assist with camera setups, slate placement, equipment management, monitor feed, lens changes, and camera operation; supported on-set workflows and safety.
Second Camera Assistant at Qatar World Cup Production
December 31, 2022 - October 6, 2025
Assisted the lead camera team during the Qatar World Cup; set up and operated camera equipment, maintained gear, and ensured on-set safety and efficiency.
Photographer and Videographer at DC Mena .sa
December 1, 2024 - Present
Versatile photographer and videographer delivering event, fashion, food, and short-form content; responsible for shooting, editing, and producing brand-consistent visuals.
Freelance Photographer/Videographer at Self-employed
April 1, 2016 - Present
Proficient in capturing photos and creating videos for events, people, food, and products; experience spans event, portrait, food, and product photography with strong editing and post-production skills.
Photographer, Videographer, Editor at Hady Semaan Photography
May 1, 2017 - October 6, 2025
Photographed and edited for various clients; covered events, portraits, and commercial visuals; contributed to post-production workflows.
Aerial Photographer at Self-employed / Aerial Photography Projects
July 1, 2016 - Present
Photographed segments from aircraft; adjusted shutter speed, aperture, focus; performed post-production and timelapse work; contributed to mapping/surveying deliverables.
Second Camera Assistant at Media Square Rental House
August 1, 2023 - October 6, 2025
Assist with camera setups, display slate placement, equipment management, monitor feeds, lens changes, and camera operation.
Second Camera Assistant at Qatar World Cup Production
December 1, 2022 - October 6, 2025
Assisted lead camera team in capturing high-quality footage for World Cup coverage; set up and operated camera equipment; ensured safety and on-set organization; collaborated with directors and cinematographers.
Photographer and Videographer at DC Mena.sa
December 1, 2024 - Present
Experienced photographer and videographer delivering content across events, fashion, food, and social reels; proficient in editing and delivering brand-consistent material.
Freelance Photographer/Videographer at Self-employed / Freelance
April 1, 2016 - Present
Capturing photos and creating videos for events, people, food, and products; event, portrait, food, and product photography; proficient with cameras and editing software; broad range of tasks enabling versatility for various projects.
Photographer, Videographer, Editor at Hady Semaan Photography
May 20, 2017 - October 6, 2025
Photographer, videographer, and editor for photography and video projects.
Aerial Photographer at Self-employed
July 1, 2016 - Present
Aerial photography from aircraft, post-production, and mapping-related work; includes time-lapse, exposure adjustments, and on-set stability discipline.
Second Camera Assistant at Media Square Rental House
August 31, 2023 - October 6, 2025
Assisted camera setups; slate placement; equipment management; monitor feed; lens changes; camera operation.
Second Camera Assistant at Qatar World Cup On Assignment
December 31, 2022 - October 6, 2025
Assisted lead camera team in capturing footage for the Qatar World Cup; collaborated with director and cinematographer; equipment maintenance and on-set adjustments; safe and organized workflow.
Photographer and Videographer at DC Mena .sa (Marketing agency)
December 1, 2024 - Present
Photo and video content creation for corporate events, fashion, food, and social media; editing; reels and short-form content; brand-consistent visuals.
Freelance Photographer/Videographer at Various Clients / Freelance
April 1, 2016 - Present
Photographs events, portraits, food and product shoots; produces video content; handles camera operations and on-site editing for diverse clients.
Photographer / Videographer / Editor at Hady Semaan Photography
April 1, 2015 - May 31, 2017
Photographer, videographer, and editor for a Lebanese photography business; produced event and portrait shoots; performed post-production editing.
Aerial Photographer at Independent / Self-employed
July 1, 2016 - Present
Photographed segments of the earth from aircraft, adjusted exposure and focus, and performed post-production work for mapping and surveying projects.
Second Camera Assistant at Media square rental house
March 1, 2021 - August 31, 2023
Assisted with camera setups, displayed the film slate, managed equipment, monitored monitor feed, and handled lens changes and on-set movement; supported camera operation and safety.
Second Camera Assistant at Qatar World Cup Project
October 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Assisted the lead camera team in capturing high-quality footage for a major sports production; setup and operated camera equipment, maintained gear, and collaborated with directors and cinematographers to realize the visual narrative.

Education

Brevet diplôme at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2014
High school diploma in Life Science at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2018
Bachelor in Cinema & Television at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2021
Brevet diplôme at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
High school diploma in Life Science at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor in Cinema & Television at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021
Brevet diplôme at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
High school diploma in Life Science at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor in Cinema & Television at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021
Brevet diplôme at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
High school diploma in Life Science at Collège des Soeurs des Saints Coeurs
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Bachelor in Cinema & Television at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021

Qualifications

Certificate of achievement for participating in Serge Ramelli Photoshop and Lightroom training
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of achievement: Kino Flo & Mk Pro online training days “LED TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHTING TOOLS FOR CINEMA AND TV - STUDIOS”
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of appreciation for taking part in “Eco and rural tourism, a neutral platform for youth action and volunteerism”
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of achievement: Serge Ramelli Photoshop and Lightroom training
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Kino Flo & Mk Pro online training days: LED TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHTING TOOLS FOR CINEMA AND TV-STUDIOS
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of appreciation: Eco and rural tourism, a neutral platform for youth action and volunteerism
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of achievement for Serge Ramelli Photoshop and Lightroom training
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Kino Flo & Mk Pro online training days “LED TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHTING TOOLS FOR CINEMA AND TV - STUDIOS”
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of appreciation for Eco and rural tourism, a neutral platform for youth action and volunteerism
January 11, 2030 - October 6, 2025
Certificate of achievement for Serge Ramelli Photoshop and Lightroom training
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026
Kino Flo & Mk Pro online training days “LED TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHTING TOOLS FOR CINEMA AND TV - STUDIOS”
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026
Certificate of appreciation for taking part in “Eco and rural tourism, a neutral platform for youth action and volunteerism”
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Travel & Hospitality