Khalid Al-Mousily

Khalid Al-Mousily

Based
Baghdad, Iraq
Born
Kirkuk, Iraq
Status
Photographer
“Each photograph represents a moment: if you miss that moment then it’s gone forever.”

Beat

Daily life and news.

One Shot

. Mosul, Iraq. Reuters/Khalid al Mousily
“During the battle to retake Mosul from Islamic State I took an image two snipers from the federal police, overlooking the Old City. I’ll never forget one of the snipers telling me that he had already shot dozens of militants that day. “I’m hunting them one by one,” he said.”

Profile

Photography started off as a hobby, but things changed in 2003 with the U.S-led invasion of Iraq. I wanted to document what was going on in the country, even if that was photographing the aftermath of car bombs every day.

Reuters photographer Namir Noureddin took me under his wing and taught me so much of what I know. Namir recommended me for my first assignment because he was covering Mosul by himself at the time. It was an important moment for me. Sadly, Namir was killed during intense clashes in Baghdad.

Each photograph represents a moment: if you miss that moment then it’s gone forever. Photojournalism shows the reality of life.

Our photographs get seen across the world, so I think about the vast audience we have. I want to show the world what everyday life in Iraq is like.

Patience and honesty are vital to this profession. I’ve learnt so much from the people I’ve interacted with throughout my career. You have to be ethical, and you should always be humble.

Behind the Scenes

Khalid Al-Mousily covering the Mosul Liberation Operations with Iraqi forces.