I can’t believe it’s been seven years since I took these shots in Dubai â” I was there speaking at an Adobe conference, and I got a chance to spend two extra days just shooting and having fun in this amazing place, along with my brother Jeff and my buddy Jeff Revell.
I was there at the height of Dubai’s construction boom. At the time around 25% of all the construction cranes in the world were in Dubai. The Burj Kalifa was about 80% complete (seen below) and at that point nobody really knew how many stories it would be when completed (Well, somebody knew but they weren’t saying).
I said to my brother and Jeff back then, “I would just love to come back here in five years and see what it all looks like when they’re all done.” Apparently, they’re not done â” it’s still growing fast, and it took me a couple of extra years beyond that five to make the trek back, but I’m so excited to be visiting Dubai again â” one of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen.
This time I’m not there to teach â” I am humbled, honored and so excited to be presented Monday night with the prestigious Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. And it comes with an added bonus that I finally accomplished something that made my young daughter slightly impressed with me. “A Prince is giving you the award?! Now that’s something Daddy!” Lol! Finally!
The awesome folks at 500px did a really nice write up about it over on their blog (here’s the link), and if you’ve got a sec maybe you could pop-on over there as they’ve got all the details.
I’m so looking forward to thisâ¦
â¦and I’m excited to have my buddy Brad Moore along with me for the trip this time. We’re trying to fit in some shooting time during this short trip, and I’m excited to see the completed Burj Kalifa (the hotel we’re staying at has a direct view of it), and to possibly make the short drive up to Abu Dhabi for a shoot there as well. And of course, the highlight will be the awards ceremony (I had to rent a tux and all), and I hope to have lots of photos to share when I return next week.
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and we’ll see you back here on Monday, provided I have enough time to actually put together a post. Hmmmm. Maybe I could write one on the plane. Seems like I’ll be a few hours in the air. ;-)
All my best,
-Scott
I bet we will have some better shots to look at this time, be safe my friend!
Wait, not that these were bad! :)
Too late, Ken. I’m very offended. LOL!!! My hope is to come back with much better shots this time around. :)
Maybe Brad will get an award for his beard while he’s there! :-) Congrats on the honor, Scott, and safe travels. Just how long is that flight to Dubai?
–John
Hey John — it’s 12 hours. Piece of cake :)
Fly safe guys.
Thanks, Scott. I wonder if they have good Burgers there. :)
Congratulations! And have a great trip!
Thanks, Holly! :)
This is a very long journey from making adverts for local businesses on a Mac… There has been a lot of hard work and foresighted vision in all of those years. Creating a brand and sharing all of the collective minds you’ve placed together to make Kelby a photographic household word.
A great accomplishment Scott.. and done with such class and humility.
Congratulations on this recognition of you and your talents.
That’s great Scott. Of course, anytime we impress our kids, BONUS!!
Congrats Buddy!
Dear Scott, Congratulations,
You deserved it, Have a safe flight.
Best Wishes
-Ali
Big time (and well-deserved) congrats, Scott. As you’ve gone to the trouble of renting a tux, don’t forget to iron that Zildjian t-shirt. ;-)
Congratulations. Well deserved. (& I would like to see photos of you in a tux! LOL)
I am waiting for the post on exposure.co
I love those posts, because they help me “travel” without actually going anywhere. :)
You are the BEST teacher I’ve ever had in dozens years’ education. You deserve that award. More than that!. God bless you, always.
Like I’ve said before…You so totally rock, dude! It’s always a bonus when your kids actually notice you.
Oh, you mean the HBMBRAMIPA Award!
Don’t forget to hold that Squinch during photo ops.
Kudos, Scott!
Congratulations, Scott. Good for you. I had my first trip there in the Fall. It is quite stunning. They definitely have the, ‘go big or go home’ mentality there. And everything seems ‘new’ in the last 5-10 years. Just a beautiful place.
Congratulations Scott, you deserve it and welcome to dubai. I really wish if there is any gathering so we can meet up with you in reality. Because it’s gonna be very rare to see you again here. Can we please?
Cool Are you going for Gulf Photo Plus? I will definitely come to your seminar