INTO THE WILD WITH ASTUDIO’S VIDEOGRAPHER, MUSTAFA QASEM

Ever wondered how our videographers gear up and get in the zone before shooting content that look like this?

Last week, we followed Mustafa Qasem, our in-house filmmaker who switched out his editing desk for an adventure at the Sharjah Safari, the world's largest safari outside Africa.

His day started early, prepping his gear—cameras and lenses ready to catch every stunning angle. Once on location, the magic began. Mustafa navigated through the rugged terrain, always on the lookout for those rare moments that breathe life into a scene. Whether it was a rhinocerous’s powerful gaze or the gentle rustle of a flamingo’s wings along the safari, he knew exactly how to frame each shot to make it an immersive and unforgettable experience for the viewer.

We caught up with Mustafa to tap into his creatively genius brain and uncover how he crafts his visually stunning videos from concept to final cut. Here's what he said:

Q: Do you have any rituals that help you get into the creative mindset?

"Yes. Overall it's about observing. For the Safari my ritual consists of my drive there. Along the way, I try to connect with nature and the sounds of it. I love the drive in the morning around 5AM — I open the windows, feel the wind, and watch the sun rising behind the mountains. It's amazing every single time. The closer I get to the Safari, the more I hear the birds sing and chirp, announcing another morning."

Q: What tools or equipment do you find indispensable for your work?

"Obvious answer: Give me a camera and a lens, and I'll take it from there! Other than that, I need time and space to observe, take in the atmosphere, let my eyes wander, and make room for emotional connections within me."

Q: What do you love shooting the most and why? Tell us your likes and dislikes about filming.

"Everything! I love shooting the animals at Sharjah Safari, as much as I love shooting the art for Hadara Magazine. It’s because the projects are so unalike and I can channel different parts of my creativity. Outside my work projects, my eye always gets caught up in shapes and frames." Dislikes about filming: Camera heat and low batteries. Likes: Being able to stop time by capturing moments.

Q: What happens after the shoot? Can you describe your editing process?

"The editing process starts with cut downs, choosing the right moments to capture the essence, matching, and editing fully WITHOUT any music. When everything matches, that’s when I look for music but I always have something in mind. Then I finish up with sound effects, super important!"

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to break into videography?

"My advice is, just start shooting. Even if you don’t think you’re good. Keep shooting until you train your eye to see better to catch the moments. Be observant, slow down to give yourself time to really see. Eventually, your eye learns to imagine what a frame can look like. Most people start with shooting their family first because there’s already an emotional connection, that makes it easier to capture the right moments."

Head over to Sharjah Safari's Instagram to check out Mustafa's beautiful wildlife shots! ??