My Search For Freedom — Iseham | Proof Of Life, Episode 20.
A life of travel, street photography, and trusting the wind to carry her toward freedom and discovery.
Life, at its core, is a beautiful story. We may be divided by borders, languages, or even the shades of our skin, but our longings (freedom, love, connection, creativity) are deeply universal. That’s what Proof of Life has always been about: uncovering the threads that bind us.
Meeting Iseham through this process reminded me of when I first fell in love with photography—the thrill of capturing fleeting moments and the joy of noticing beauty that others might rush past. Her lens does exactly that. And then there’s her love for travel—wandering through cities like Egypt, Kenya, and beyond, not just as a tourist but as a storyteller who collects moments the way others collect souvenirs.
Curating this episode gave me wide smiles, not just because of her art, but also because of how swiftly and openly she responded. Even our supposed “language barrier” melted away with her wit and warmth, proof, again, that when the story is real, communication always finds its way.
Enjoy Iseham’s Proof Of Life
You’re a girl with a camera, on the move, living in Saudi Arabia and catching flights with your lens in hand. Proof of Life is about showing that we’re really here, really living, so tell me, what does Proof of Life mean to you right now?
For me, Proof of Life means being fully present, living instead of just existing. It’s about noticing the little things: sunsets, strangers who turn into friends, quiet moments with myself. Even when life feels uncertain, choosing to live it honestly is my way of saying,
“I’m really here.”
You’ve been to Egypt and Kenya, with your camera always close. Can you share where else you’ve explored and what’s been your favourite memory from each city?
I’ve been lucky to travel across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe. Each place left a mark on me—both in memory and on my skin.
• Africa was the first time I ever truly felt free.
• Asia stole my heart with its breathtaking nature.
• The Middle East will always feel like home.
• Europe reminded me how much there is to learn from history
We’ve noticed how much you love your family—especially your sister and your little nephew. What’s a memory of them that always makes you smile, no matter where you are in the world?
The first time I saw my nephew. It was strange and wonderful, he was the first baby in our family. Watching him grow has been nothing short of magic. And now, knowing that my sister is expecting a little girl, it feels like life is giving us new reasons to smile all over again.
Your photos tilt beautifully toward street photography, everyday people, fleeting details, and unposed moments. What draws you to this style, and which three images would you call your favourites so far?
The truth is, some of my favorite images were never caught on a camera, they live only in my memory.
That’s why I love street photography so much: it’s raw, it’s real, it’s life as it happens.
Unposed, unfiltered, fleeting. It reminds me that beauty is everywhere if you’re willing to look closely.
Let’s talk tattoos; each one feels like a story etched on the skin. Can you share the meaning behind yours and why you chose to carry those stories with you?
Each tattoo I carry has its own heartbeat, its own story that i got in different countries and phases:
My first tattoo is the closest to my heart, it says “freedom” in Arabic. I got it the first time I truly felt free.
My second is the goddess Maat, symbol of justice. I’ve seen so much injustice in life, and I always wanted to stand on the side of fairness.
My third came after watching Soul, the animation. I was in one of my lowest phases, and its message (never lose your spark) gave me hope.
The fourth was a matching tattoo I got while high on love, something I swore I’d never do. It turned out to be a mistake, but it taught me that mistakes leave marks on us. Later, I covered it with cat paws, because I’m a proud cat lady.
My fifth was more playful. I spent three weeks in Thailand trying to figure out what to write in Thai. On the last day, still undecided, I tattooed the word “something” in Thai. Now when people ask, I just smile and say, it says something in Thai.
Your English is so fluent; how did that journey begin, and what role has language played in helping you connect with the world you’re exploring?
I actually learned through English movies and video games. Later, traveling helped me sharpen it, it became a tool to connect with people everywhere.
Travel, photography, family – you’re juggling a lot but also dreaming forward. What are some of your biggest goals in life right now?
To never have to shrink myself to be accepted, or perform just to survive.
My dream is simple and big at the same time: freedom.
Freedom in where I live, how I work, and who I am. And to continue exploring the world with my camera.
When you’re not working or wandering with your camera, how do you slow down and relax? What’s your version of peace?
Peace, for me, is solitude. Writing, meditating, listening to the ocean or simply cuddling my cat Bibi. Those quiet moments are what reset me.
Finally, drop one random, funny, or profound thought that’s been living rent-free in your head lately.
That maybe we’re all just like dandelion seeds, floating, searching for where we’ll land, not knowing where, but trusting the wind anyway.
Bonus: Here are Iseham’s manifestations and favourite music at the moment.
I hope to work remotely one day from wherever I want and to have a beach house and slow mornings
And with that, our beautiful Iseham season comes to an end!
You know the Instagram song that comes next…