The Ultimate Portrait Experience in Dubai with Oliver Doran
A portrait by Oliver Doran is more than just a photoshoot—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether it’s your first time or an annual tradition, this is about seeing yourself and your loved ones in a whole new way.
Empowering Portraits for Individuals & Families
We create stunning, empowering portraits for women, men, and families. Whether you need images for personal branding, magazines, corporate profiles, social media, editorial features, or simply art for your home, this experience is about celebrating you and those you love.
A Fully Bespoke Experience
✔ Pre-shoot Consultation – We craft a vision that reflects your style and personality. ✔ Expert Styling – Professional hair, makeup, and wardrobe guidance for an effortless look. ✔ Luxury Locations – Choose from Dubai’s breathtaking deserts, cityscapes, rooftops, or our elegant studio. ✔ Guided Posing & Direction – No experience needed. Oliver will bring out your best angles and natural confidence. ✔ Cinematic Portraits – Each image is carefully composed to be timeless, striking, and deeply personal.
A Tradition for Many
What starts as a one-time experience often becomes an annual tradition. Individuals, couples, and families return year after year to capture new chapters of their journey.
Your Portrait, Your Legacy
More than just photos, these portraits become heirlooms—art for your home and memories to treasure forever.
At Oliver Doran Studios and Photo Solutions Dubai, we believe photography is more than just images—it’s about stories, emotion, and legacy.
✔ Capturing Timeless Moments – We create portraits that are authentic, powerful, and deeply personal. ✔ Photography for Everyone – Our flexible pricing ensures that professional photography is accessible to all. ✔ Innovation Meets Art – We embrace new technology, including AI and video interviews, to enhance storytelling. ✔ Equality & Respect – Whether photographing celebrities, business leaders, or families, every client is treated with the same care. ✔ Giving Back – We support community projects, charitable causes, and conservation efforts through our photography.
Our goal is simple: to create meaningful, lasting images that celebrate individuality and human connection.
For Oliver Doran, photography isn’t just about mastering the technical—it’s about the artistic journey. The moments, the connections, and the stories behind the lens are what truly define a great photographer.
A Royal Wedding Like No Other
One of Oliver’s most surreal assignments took him from Dubai to Bahrain, where he was tasked with photographing and filming a Royal Wedding for the Prince and Princess of Bahrain.
“Bahraini weddings are traditionally ladies-only, so I was the only man allowed inside. The moment they saw me, there was this wave of women hurriedly covering themselves—it was like a Mexican wave, but with fabric!”
Home is Where the Ocean Is
Despite his international career, Jersey remains home. His favourite escape? The sea.
“My dad and brother have a little speedboat, and we’ll go wakeboarding, snorkelling, or just swimming in the gullies at low tide. It’s one of my favourite things in the world.”
Photographing Hollywood Legends
Oliver has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in film and fashion, but one encounter stands out—Robert De Niro.
“When I started photographing him, he suddenly realised—this wasn’t a role, this was just him. That threw him off a little.”
To break the ice, Oliver took an unexpected approach.
“I told him, ‘My job today isn’t just to take your photo—it’s to make sure you look good.’ That got his attention.”
The conversation turned to Jersey, where Oliver mentioned the island’s two claims to fame—Jersey cows and its finance industry.
“He chuckled and said, ‘I think I’ve got some money in Jersey.’ After that, he relaxed, and the shoot became so much easier. By the end, he said, ‘Call me Bob.’ That was a moment.”
For Oliver, photography is about much more than just a picture. It’s about the experience, the story, and the unexpected moments that make it all come to life.
2020 started with an exciting commission—photographing and filming a full campaign for Paramount Hotel. Inspired by the motto “A Stage Like No Other,” we brought together a dream team to craft a campaign that truly captured the glamour, energy, and cinematic essence of the brand.
What began as a behind-the-scenes video evolved into something more—it became the official campaign video for Paramount. A testament to the power of storytelling, collaboration, and the magic that happens when photography and film come together.
I had my 15 minutes of fame on French television! Featured on Les Anges, a show where participants get a helping hand to break into their dream careers, I was the Dubai fashion photographer tasked with capturing a desert shoot—in the middle of summer. How hot was it? Let’s just say… very.
With a dream team by my side, including Lina Dahlbeck on hair & makeup and Stuart Robertson styling the wardrobe, we set up for a fast-paced session against the backdrop of golden dunes and a fiery camel.
My model, Cloé, handled both the heat and my dubious French instructions like a pro. With the sun setting fast, we had limited time to get the shots—but the results? Bold, quirky, and striking images, perfect for her portfolio.
A scorching day, a fantastic team, and an unforgettable experience. Would I do it again? Absolutely. But maybe in Winter!
My team and I had the incredible opportunity to be commissioned by Christian Dior to document Bella Hadid’s Art of Colour exhibition at Dubai Mall. The assignment? Photography and video coverage of the event, followed by intimate private dinners attended by some of the Middle East’s most influential figures.
Spending time with Bella was a privilege—she’s not just a global icon but a truly beautiful soul. Natural, real, and full of energy, she was an absolute pleasure to photograph and hang out with.
Check out my portraits of Bella Hadid from this unforgettable evening. Thank you, Bella!
Thank you Parthiv Dewan (@p.dewan), filmmaker at ITP Media Group for putting together this fun behind-the-scenes video - bravo! love it - See the photos here
Living in Dubai as a photographer, the sheer number of events is impossible to resist. Being paid to attend them? That’s the cherry on top!
My team and I are among the most recognised photographers and filmmakers in the UAE (in my humble opinion). Our experience and teamwork could rival some of the best event photographers in the world. But beyond our expertise, we’re also great friends—years of working together have made us a tight-knit crew, like a band where everyone plays their part.
Some of us are silent snipers, capturing candid moments from the shadows. Others are front and centre, coordinating shots and making sure everyone looks their best. A word of advice? Be nice to your event photographer—they control how you’ll be remembered! And if you tip them, you might just get your photo first.
Chivas Regal: The Highest Whisky Tasting Event in the World
In all my years shooting events in Dubai (since 2009), I’ve only ever been tipped once—but it was a good one. On the top floor of Burj Khalifa, I covered Pernod Ricard’s record-breaking whisky tasting event. With Colin Scott, the master blender of Chivas Regal, leading the way, it was a private, high-altitude, and high-class affair.
A gentleman at the event tipped me 500 AED—a rare but appreciated gesture. He must have really enjoyed the experience!
At Oliver Doran Studios and Photo Solutions Dubai, we believe in transparent and fair licensing agreements that protect both the client’s needs and the photographer’s rights. Below is a simplified breakdown of our licensing optionsand key industry terms.
Standard & Extended Licensing Options1. Standard Usage License (Dubai, One Year)
✔ Exclusive usage in Dubai for one year across all advertising & promotional media. ✔ Photographer retains self-promotion rights. ✔ Client has the first option to renew the license.
Extended License (GCC, Two Years)
✔ Exclusive usage across the GCC (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait) for two years. ✔ Unlimited use across all media. ✔ Photographer retains self-promotion rights.
Extended License (International, Two Years)
✔ Exclusive global usage for two years across all advertising and promotional platforms. ✔ Higher cost due to broader reach. ✔ Photographer retains self-promotion rights.
4. Unlimited Usage License
✔ Lifetime exclusive rights for advertising and promotional use worldwide. ✔ Images may not be resold as stock. ✔ Higher investment due to unrestricted use.
5. Total Copyright Buyout
✔ Full ownership of the images, including copyright transfer. ✔ Photographer relinquishes all future rights. ✔ Typically 900%+ of the original shoot fee, as photographers rarely sell full copyright.
Key Licensing Terms
✔ Timeframe: Defines how long the images can be used (e.g., one year, two years, unlimited). ✔ Quantity: How many times the images can be used within the timeframe (limited vs. unlimited). ✔ Exclusivity: Determines whether the photographer can resell or reuse the images. ✔ Geographic Region: Local (Dubai), Regional (GCC), or International usage. ✔ Market Type: Consumer (advertising), Trade (B2B), Editorial (magazines, news). ✔ Usage Type: Advertising, promotional, corporate, editorial, or PR. ✔ Media: Where the images will appear (print, digital, billboards, social media, etc.).
Important Considerations
✔ Avoid Copyright Buyouts Unless Necessary – Many agencies push for full buyouts, but this is often unnecessary and unethical. In Germany & the U.S., forced buyouts are banned. ✔ Renewal Rights – Clients have the first option to extend their license before it expires. ✔ Photographer’s Self-Promotion Rights – The photographer and agency retain the right to use images for their portfolio and marketing.
For more details or to discuss a custom licensing agreement, get in touch. Protect your investment and ensure fair usage with a transparent agreement.
