Hicham Abbouz, street photographer based in Fes, Morocco

Hicham Abbouz, also known as 7ehsa, is a street and documentary photographer based in Fes, Morocco. His visual work focuses on themes like solitude, memory, and the quiet poetry of public spaces. Outside photography, Hicham is also a data analyst and developer with a background in IT and business intelligence. His multidisciplinary profile allows him to navigate both the creative and technical worlds with precision and emotional depth.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I'm someone who lives between two worlds: data and emotion. I work as a data analyst and developer by profession; as a visual storyteller by passion. I observe a lot, speak little, and express myself best through photography. A unique trait: I document people from behind, focusing on what’s felt but not seen.

How did you first get into photography?

My photography journey started from a personal absence: I lost my father early in life, and that left me observing others in silence. Photography became my way of remembering and honouring lives that often go unnoticed.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise in street and poetic documentary photography. I’m deeply drawn to elderly figures, solitude, and the passing of time. My photos are usually distant, respectful, and quiet; over time, my style has evolved to become more cinematic and intentional, focusing on framing, mood, and emotion.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

Themes of memory, aging, invisibility, and personal distance are central to my work; I often use photography to document the silent dignity of people in public spaces.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

Developing my long-term project Echoes of Grace has been my proudest artistic achievement. It's a body of work that came from a personal place and grew into something larger: documenting aging and grace in Morocco’s streets. I'm also proud to be applying to international festivals and slowly giving the project the audience it deserves.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

One major challenge was navigating a creative path while being based in a country with limited mobility due to my passport. Another was balancing my career in tech with my creative work. I overcame these by building consistent habits, learning online, collaborating with local artists, and being patient. It taught me that identity isn’t fixed: you can live multiple lives.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I’d love to collaborate with a filmmaker like Wim Wenders, or a photographer like Sohrab Hura, who understands emotional storytelling.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I see 54Ruum as an important cultural archive in progress. It provides a necessary space for African photographers to exist outside of trends, to share work that matters deeply, and to connect across regions. It’s also a platform that feels grounded in storytelling, not just content.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

Start where you are. Don’t wait for the best camera or the perfect subject. Learn to observe. Train your eyes to see meaning in the ordinary. And if you have another career like I do, don’t see it as a limitation. Let it inform your artistic voice.