Maeen Aleryani

Amid the bustle of the streets, stories intersect with hurried footsteps, and pockets and bags conceal fragments of everyday life. In this project, photographer Maeen Aleryani searches for the human presence within small details—in the objects people carry, the seemingly ordinary things that hold memories, secrets, and perhaps a part of their identity.

Maeen had long been fascinated by what people choose to carry with them each day and what pockets or bags might reveal about their owners. In this body of work, the photographs are not limited to faces; they open windows into private worlds and silent stories waiting to be discovered.
To realise this project, the photographer adopted a simple and direct approach: a camera, a white backdrop, and nothing more. He would stop passersby on the street, ask for a moment of their time, and invite them to become part of this visual story.

The task was not easy; rejection was more frequent than acceptance. Photographing in Sana'a posed a real challenge, as street photography had become rare and, at times, prohibited. People would gather around, and the questions multiplied: Why? How? For whom are these photos? Maeen often had to explain, calm concerns, and assure them that his only intention was to seek the human story. Despite the difficulties and sometimes awkward moments, he feels deep gratitude for the experience. It taught him a lot about patience, about the power of connecting with others, and about the importance of insisting on telling everyday stories. Aleryani hopes to continue this journey with more people and in other cities, where stories are still waiting to be discovered.