Community Guidelines

Dubai Photo Collective exists to make photography in Dubai more welcoming, more social, and more fun. These guidelines keep it that way. They’re short on purpose – the spirit matters more than the letter.

The short version: Be kind. No gatekeeping. Credit people’s work. Keep it about the photography.

1. Everyone belongs here

Beginners, hobbyists, and professionals are equally welcome. Phone photographers are photographers.

There’s no such thing as a stupid question here. If someone asks something basic, answer it the way you’d have wanted it answered when you were starting out. No gear-snobbery – nobody’s work is invalidated by the camera that made it.

2. Critique with care

Honest feedback is one of the best things this community offers, when it’s given well.

• Lead with what’s working before what isn’t.
• Be specific and useful – “the horizon’s tilted” beats “meh.”
• Only give critique when it’s asked for. If someone’s simply sharing, a kind word is enough.
• Receiving critique? Assume good intent. You asked; let it land.

3. Credit and copyright

Share your own work. If you post someone else’s, credit them clearly and only share what you have the right to share.

Don’t edit, repost, or reuse another member’s images without their permission. Watermarks stay on.

4. Photographing people – consent matters

This is important in the UAE, both legally and culturally.

• Always ask before photographing individuals, especially women, children, and families.
• If someone asks you to delete a photo of them, delete it.
• Don’t post recognisable photos of people who haven’t agreed to being shared publicly.

5. Know the local rules

Photography in the UAE carries real restrictions. Avoid photographing government buildings, military and police sites, airports, ports, and private property without permission.

Drone flying requires proper authorisation – don’t post content that encourages unauthorised flights. When in doubt, don’t shoot.

6. Keep it clean

No explicit, sexual, or violent content. Artistic nude photography is a legitimate genre, but this is a general-audience community – please don’t post it here.

Nothing hateful, harassing, or discriminatory. Ever.

7. No spam or hard selling

Sharing your work, your exhibition, or a workshop you’re running is welcome – that’s community. Repeated promotion, affiliate links, unsolicited DMs, and “check out my page” drive-bys are not.

If in doubt, contribute first.

8. Photowalks and events

• RSVP if you’re coming, and let us know if you can’t make it.
• Look out for anyone who turned up alone – that was all of us once.
• Respect the location, the people in it, and each other’s time.

9. Moderation

We moderate lightly, but we do moderate. Posts that break these guidelines may be edited or removed, and repeated or serious breaches can lead to removal from the community. Decisions rest with the admin team.

10. Reporting

If you see something that breaks these guidelines, tell us – email info@dubaiphotocollective.com or message an admin in the forum. Reports are handled discreetly.

These guidelines will evolve as the community grows. Last updated: July 2026.