GUESS WHO'S A NEW MAMA! 🤱 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The past 10 months have been an absolute journey with so many obstacles and challenges. Through (all day) morning sickness, we managed to explore the streets of Nizwa in Oman, see the Palace of Alhambra in Granada, raise £5000 for two waterwells in Zanzibar, hold a photography workshop in London, coordinate a computer project at Tumbatu Island School and have a beautiful baby girl at the end of it! MashaAllah tabaraka Allah 😄 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Alhamdulilah for everything. It's definitely not been an easy ride and I'm thankful for the resilience, patience and support that Allah has given me and my loved ones. I'm learning my way through this new chapter, taking all the rest, the help, and the moments of both tears and joy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I absolutely salute all the mothers out there, I've been advocating them through @thekangaproject and now that I am one of them, I understand even more so the true extent of their love and sacrifice! Alhamdulilah for everything, please do keep us in your prayers 🙏❤️😊 #birthannouncement #newmama #kangamovement #munaally #makeportraits #documentaryphotographer #blackgirlmagic #muslimah #womenempowerment #mama
Absolutely can't wait to teach the portrait workshop this Sunday 14th July! The location we'll be shooting at is so beautiful it makes me squeel 😂 It's been such a long time coming and I feel excited to meet my new students and enlighten them with my love of capturing souls authentically. There's still a few spaces left so if you'd like to join, please do so via the link in my bio. Thank you millions to all those who've supported by spreading the word. Blessings and love always 🙏 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ( PS: This is one of my most favourite portraits this year, taken for @gettyimagescreative workshop, a whole other story that I am yet to share with you all! 😄) #portraitphotographer #photographyworkshop #makeportraits #photolondon #londonphotographers #photographytips #london #workshop #documentaryphotography #streetphotography #blackgirlmagic #melaninqueen
CALLING ALL PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS! 😄 Join us this Sunday 14th July for an epic portrait photography workshop. If you've always wanted personal mentoring and a guided direction in your photography then this is for you! I'll be there to answer your questions and give you advice on how to improve your skills, understand professional level processes and steps to take if you're looking to get work out of your passion! Registeration link in bio! Very few spaces left. Please help spread the word. Sign up today! 😄 #photographyworkshop #makeportraits #photolondon #londonphotographers #photographytips #london #workshop #documentaryphotography #streetphotography #portraitphotographer
Come and learn with me! This Sunday 14th July. A one day exclusive street portrait workshop in London. Covering the art of composition, the secrets of utilising light and an in depth showcase of my processes behind taking compelling portraits. Also included one to one mentoring and a complimentary personal digital portrait of yourself by me! So much to offer for only £50. Limited spaces available, DM for registration link! Tag a friend below who you want to bring with you! 😄 ❤️ #photographyworkshop #makeportraits #photolondon #londonphotographers #photographytips #london #workshop #documentaryphotography #streetphotography
Eid Mubarak!! 😄 May Allah bless you and accept your efforts, prayers and charity ameen ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What an absolutely eventful Ramadhan alhamdulilah. 30 days of campaigning has brought us almost at our goal of £5000 to fund TWO WATER WELLS in Zanzibar. I'm so grateful for the souls who have entrusted their sadaqah to this project. Together we have impacted over 1000 people within two communities for as long as water flows inshaAllah! There's still time to donate, please click the link on my bio and let's complete the remaining 8% to target!! 🎯💪🏼 #TOGETHERWECAN ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #soulsoftanzania #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism #Zanzibar #makeportraits #portraitphotographer #tanzania #eidmubarak #waterforlife #liveauthentic #water #tanzania #charity
After a Ramadhan long campaign we have hit 87% target to fund TWO WATER WELLS in Zanzibar! This is an incredible opportunity to impact more than 1000 souls across two communities. It is also an ongoing charitable investment which will continue benefitting you in your book of good deeds for as long as that water flows! Click on the link on my bio to support and please help spread the word! 😄 I well and truly believe that #TOGETHERWECAN!! #spreadlove #soulsoftanzania #giveback #givewater #liveauthentic #charity #tanzania #zanzibar #zanzibarcharity #africacharity #supportthecause #withlove #waterforlife #makeportraits #documentaryphotography
When I started @thekangaproject it was just an idea to give back creatively to the mothers that I met on my journeys through Zanzibar. Now three years later, it's evolved into more than just Kanga giving, with a internationally attended retreat and an intricately connected network of craftsmen, community leaders and women groups alike, all benefiting. With such a simple initiative, we've managed to collectively raise awareness and funds for causes that have uplifted souls. Working with schools to enlighten students with equipment and resources, hospitals to gift mothers and more recently starting a water well build to ease the lives of over 500+. What I hope and pray is that God continues to facilitate these small efforts and that we all continue coming together to do our little bit in the world. Thank you wholeheartedly for being on this journey with me. My inbox is always open to ideas and collaborations. In this glorious month, I pray that Allah opens up our hearts and paves our way to true success, contentment and a beautiful change. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #kangamovement #thekangaproject #zanzibar #igersafrica #instatravel #travelgram #photojournalism #charity #tanzania #liveauthentic #travelnoire #givelove #spreadjoy #charity #unity
Mzee Idi and his team helped me host an incredible day as part of my Zanzibar Women's Retreat in September 2018. He is one of the directors in the village of Cheju. I've worked with him several times and his connection and care in the villages has helped us deliver several hundred Kanga pairs, aid to schools, a waterwell project as well as host us an immensely fun day cooking lunch outdoors in the traditional Zanzibari way and weaving baskets with the local women's society. People like Mzee Idi are the bonds of their communities and through his effective leadership we have managed to impact the almost thousand strong community with life changing projects. This is a dedication and an appreciation to his efforts, and to the many other community directors who are always so ready to facilitate a change. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #soulsoftanzania #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism #Tanzania #dynamicafrica #liveauthentic #travelnoire #everydayafrica #makeportraits #canon
You are magnificent. A purpose led creation. A mighty blessing. Keep on serving, For the One. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #liveauthentic #zanzibar #makeportraits #portraitphotographer #tanzania #spreadlove #theartofslowliving #wabisabi #documentaryphotography #womenappreciation #femaleempowerment #liveforthestory #travelwithpurpose #poetry #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism
And so it begins. This journey of unearthing all the stories within. Joy and pain entangled into mountains of untold words. I look at you, world, with wide eyes of acknowledgement. You want to hear it all. Every soul encounter. Every light brimming moment. All the places and all the spaces. You want to know of the sounds. The way the rain scattered between the grooves of aluminium rooftops. Of sea waves clashing and the echoes of morning prayer. You want to know it all. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am allowing myself to be a vessel of words. A transporter of messages. To deliver to you, all that I have been entrusted with. I am reflecting back hope. The glimmer of courage in devoted eyes. My efforts are but a fraction of all that I have reaped. I am here to find ways to connect heart to cause. Light to life. Soul to soul. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Reflections inspired by my journey to Zanzibar to host the first @thekangaproject Women's Retreat. If you followed the journey through the instastory comment below what your most favourite moment was! #Zanzibarretreatdiary ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #liveauthentic #giveback #spreadlove #womenempowerment #communitylove #zanzibar #Tanzania #makeportraits #documentaryphotography #words #reflection #simplejoys #awakethelight #liveforthestory #travelwithpurpose #poetry
FINAL CALL FOR THE ZANZIBAR WOMEN'S RETREAT!! Sisters around the world! Come and join us in Zanzibar for an incredible week of soul fulfilling experiences! I will be personally hosting you and giving you the opportunity to see Zanzibar in its authentic presence. We'll be distributing joy through @thekangaproject. As well as uniting with children in schools and communities across the island. InshaAllah it'll be amazing! Tag a friend who you'd bring along and DM me for the registration link! #zanzibar #Zanzibarretreatdiary #tanzania #liveauthentic #travelwithpurpose #womensupportingwomen #supportartists #dynamicafrica #sendjoy #internationalphotographer #womenappreciation #femaleempowerment #spreadlove
SISTERS COME AND JOIN ME! I am here in Zanzibar hosting a Women's Retreat next week showcasing the beauty of Zanzibar Island and giving a truly intricate volunteer and travel experience. The opportunity will allow for the expansion of The Kanga Project through a percentage of the fee; as well as bringing women together from around the world to work together in coming up with creative solutions for the women The Kanga Project support. We will also be distributing gifts to kids, with the money raised from my birthday fundraise. TWO SPACES LEFT! Tag a friend who would love to come! Please share the love, your advice and prayers! #munaally #traveldiaries #travelgram #muslimgirl #blackmuslimahexcellence #travelwithpurpose #zanzibar #womenempowerment ##womensupportingwomen #retreat #volunteer #liveauthentic
The journey of life forever takes us on a learning process. Of love and loss and pain and joy. We hold onto people and things with sentiment, and as we progress we learn to recognise what we truly need. We learn to let go of that which brings us little benefit; and we begin to allow ourselves to open up. We allow our hearts to heal. We let our souls experience real faith. We take plunges into the unknown. We learn to trust. We learn to feel. We flourish into authentic living. Truthful existence. Reawakened, conscious, whole. #munaally #words #reflections #portraitphotographer #documentaryphotographer #photojournalism #soulsoftanzania #makeportraits #tanzania #dynamicafrica #sendjoy #
On this blessed month of mercy, I pray that your deeds and efforts are accepted. It's been a quiet time for me of reflection and alhamdulilah by the will of God I got engaged and married! To the sisters who I communicate with often, please forgive me for not telling you personally. And to the clients who have emailed and dm'ed, I am also sorry for not having a moment to keep on top of my work schedule. I'm back to work now and inshaAllah I'll be photographing weddings, portraits and family sessions in July and August so if you have a pending enquiry, do send it through. Please keep me and my husband in your duas. May Allah bless and protect you, make easy your affairs and guide you towards eternal joy. Ameen #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism #femaleempowerment #spreadlove #giveback #makeportraits #selfportrait #weddingphotographer #documentaryphotographer #ramadhan
An intimate island amidst the crystal blue of the Indian Ocean, Its winds blow songs of ancestral voices, A rhythmic rendition of multicultural life, Soft spiced breeze swaying- cloves, cinnamon and cardamon, - spices, Jackfruits and mangoes, coconut entices, Its soul shines through the eyes of its beloveds Open hands and open hearts and prayer filled spaces, Echoes of melodic chants calling to the All Mighty, Colour and pattern and kanga draped beauties, Soft white stone and intricate curvings, Zanzibar, my love, A tranquil blessing. -Muna Ally #soulsoftanzania #munaally #traveldiaries #Zanzibardiaries #zanzibar #makeportraits #portraitphotographer #zanzibarphotographer #tanzania #liveauthentic #writing #travelgram #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #poetry #myafrica
To the souls who are confidently themselves. Those who dare to pursue with faith amidst a society of push and pull. Those who listen to their hearts and fight for what they believe in. To the souls who are struggling internally yet keep on going. Those who battle with fear and decide to leap anyway. To those souls who believe in a better world and want to do more. Those who keep on striving with a concrete conviction. A celebration and abundance of love to you and your heart. Strength and resilience to your strive, and eternal joy to embrace you. #soulsoftanzania #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism #Tanzania #liveauthentic #zanzibar #makeportraits #portraitphotographer #streetphotography #instatravel #everydayafrica #eastafrica #words #affirmations #blackgirlmagic
We find ourselves bound to the destinies of other souls, Amidst the journeys and reflections, We awaken to a calling far deeper than chance encounters, Shaking within us so gently, An incessant need to stay, To open up our hearts, To love and accept love, And to find comfort in stranger souls, With a whole and conscious embrace, Intrinsically, freely, with a faithful acceptance. #munaally #soulsoftanzania #photojournalism #Zanzibar #tanzania #africa #blackgirlmagic #documentaryphotography #makeportraits #womenshistorymonth #travelgram #travelnoire #poetry #words #reflections
I entered their home as an honour to her invitation. A modest abode with bare cemented walls. A small radio in the corner rustled the afternoon news. The brothers beamed at me with wide eyes. Each one with a distinctive character; charming, timid, courageous. They asked questions brimmed with curiosity, of my world- where I came from, when I would return. And I asked to take their portraits. Each looked over their sister with a hopeful acknowledgement. She signalled them a nod of consent, clasping her new kanga whilst carrying the youngest sibling on her hip. One by one they looked into my lens, introducing themselves with a courteous smile. And then the teasing started, and everyone in the room erupted with laughter. The energy was sparkling with a sincere joy. I left feeling full, whole, overflowing with blessings from their beautiful spirits. #soulsoftanzania #munaally #kangamovement #zanzibar #makeportraits #blackgirlmagic #womenphotographer #womenempowerment #travelgram #dynamicafrica #tanzania #canon #photojournalism
This was the third portrait of her. Before it, she was looking down, avoiding the camera. She told me she can only see with one eye. She told me she is old. She told me there were younger girls, better girls to be documented. I told her she was beautiful. And that her skin glowed golden against the East African sun. That her hands were blessed with true craftsmanship. And that I truly believed that she was important and needed to be shared and celebrated. She looked up. She gave me this smile. And I was honoured with her grace to share with you today. #kangamovement #soulsoftanzania #munaally #traveldiaries #photojournalism #Tanzania #liveauthentic #BlackHistoryMonth #blackgirlmagic #womenphotographer #makeportraits #blackmuslimahexcellence