"I hope analog photography will come back one day," says Hussam Al-Shahruri, 60, owner of the oldest photography studio in Nablus.
Studio Scope was founded in the 1950s by his father, Burhan Al-Din Al-Shahruri, who began as a traveling photographer in Palestine. Hussam learned the craft from his father and, with his brothers, has maintained the studio's legacy for over seven decades. It has documented many families in Nablus, creating a 70-year social archive.
Despite modern technology and smartphones, Al-Shahruri Studio remains in the heart of Nablus. "It has witnessed generations, connecting grandparents and grandchildren through documenting their memories," Hussam says.
The studio was a space for family portraits, especially on holidays, but now mostly for ID and passport photos, leaving it quiet and empty. "Photography was once an art, like oil painting," reflects Hussam. "This place holds my memories and reminds me of my father."
The studio has a vast archive, including rare photos of Arab and Palestinian figures like King Hussein of Jordan. For Hussam, this archive is a priceless legacy, preserving moments that shaped Palestine’s history. The studio still keeps old negatives, labeled with names and dates, ensuring these memories live on.
