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   about


Now based in the expansive Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia also known as the native land of the Eastern band of the Cherokee where we now co-exist. I have spent a good part of my life abroad. This has lead me to see much injustice as well as the different ways that love is expressed in our world. Now I can say that it is clear to me that my mission is as a bridge, to create more understand. Through my photography, art, dance and community work my aim is to share of myself and so breed a community that furthers genuine peace building through understanding and the willingness to be vulnerable with each other. This is how we together can heal our world. 

Since the year 2000, I have developed collaborations, photographic projects, performances, interventions and installations with this aim. These illuminate alternative possibilities to the limitations placed on so many of us based on socioeconomic class, “race”, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation and immigration status.

Commercially, I focus on outdoor photography portraiture including nudes, individuals, couples and families. Portraiture is quite the intimate experience between the 2 parties, where a collaboration of sorts is taking place. I do not see the person(s) being photographed merely as a subject. The images are created through this collaborative process between both parties together. I also photograph all events excluding weddings. Inclusive of performances in music, dance and all other performing arts as well as all festivities and corporate events both indoors and outdoors.

I am now Asheville Movement Collective’s cultural ambassador. 
I love regularly (co) hosting Bring in the World. This is a gathering to celebrate our shared humanity and the beauty of our diverse stories. I am open to collaborating together on this ever-evolving project.


I natively speak Arabic, English and am fluent in French as I am improving my Spanish. I studied sociology at Loyola University, New Orleans before receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute, Chicago. I more recently received a teaching certificate with Association Montessori International from the MIP in Prague, Czech Republic which has greatly informed my ability to capture images of babies and children.


 



 

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Photography Clients

LEAF

Asheville Movement Collective

Firefly Gathering

Red Cross

Chicago Charter Schools

Beat Church

Agha Khan Foundation

Fringe Festival

L'Oreal

INAASH

Tinol Paints

Wazni Jewelry

Byblos Bank

 

salaamshots@gmail.com

@photosbyrayya

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© 2026 by RAYYA HADDAD PHOTOGRAPHY. All rights reserved

 

 

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