This story was written entirely by a human who has dedicated his life and career to honing the craft of writing.
You are best photographed when the energy is good.
What if the photographer creates the energy?
Sohype bringing the energy to the boys at Salisbury School
I once received a word of advice for going into business, “Find what you have a lot of, and do that. Well, I have a friend that has two particular qualities in abundance:
Feel-good energy that uplifts everyone.
Photography talent.
His name is Suhayb, and we have been best buddies since we met at King’s Academy as sprightly fourteen-year-old freshmen.
Uncomplicated, humble and full of delightful laughter, Suhayb quickly endeared himself to the whole community. Four years of varsity soccer, Suhayb consistently ran more than anyone else on the field. His work-rate was then, and is now, legendary. A very rare type of person who simply shows up and does the work with no need for glory or ego, Suhayb is the definition of a team player.
Suhayb and I at King’s Academy in 2011
I’ve known Suhayb for eighteen years now, and not once have I heard him complain.
As a burgeoning filmmaker in high school, I needed players to act out my quirky ideas. Suhayb answered the call and starred in almost all of my productions. His humor, versatility and lovely presence would shine so effortlessly on camera. From Mexican-style soap operas, to water-saving PSAs, to playing a surgeon in the operating room, Suhayb’s range was known across the land.
In his mid twenties, he spent a few years teaching CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), the more flexible and dynamic of the IB courses. When he resigned his post, his students were so distraught that they took to twitter to share the videos and memes they had made about him. Overnight, “Ustaz Suhayb” (Mr. Suhayb in Arabic) became a national sensation in Jordan. Nobody had ever seen students wax so lyrical about their teacher.
He then worked as the school photographer for our alma mater, King’s Academy. In no time, he was the most beloved man on campus. After a handshake and a smile with Suhayb, students would say “I love that guy!”
Fast forward to 2020, Suhayb joined us on our fall filmmaking tour in the USA. Introducing ourselves, people would have no trouble with the names Rob and Alesi, but “Suhayb” always prompted quizzical looks. It was not long before Suhayb had simplified his name for ease’s sake, to “Su”.
Sohype at the Frederick Gunn School
This always sat wrong with me. The idea of simplifying your name for others… Surely, there was a mnemonic that could help people learn the name Suhayb. Then, one night, like Moses receiving the ten commandments, the idea struck:
Sohype.
It seemed like the perfect way to remember his name, because, truly, Suhayb is a man full of good spirit, or as the kids call it, “hype”. We could not have anticipated what happened next.
Sohype at Salisbury School
At school meetings, merely introducing himself as “Sohype” would produce a palpable electricity in the whole auditorium. Something about Suhayb’s aura allowed students to accept the name. Not everyone can carry the name Sohype, but for Suhayb, it’s effortless and charming.
Where Rob and Alesi used to be the main show, we were virtually ignored henceforth. Everywhere we went, students would call out “Sohype!” In short order, Sohype became the most popular man on every campus we worked at.
The students would coax him into giving speeches and motivational talks. Every word would produce rowdy good spirit from many student bodies. At every school we visited, Suhayb’s presence and good nature would leave the entire community feeling refreshed and uplifted.
The moment Sohype returns to his own school.
Throughout this period, Suhayb had been discovering his passion for photography. A true poet by nature, his sensitive and kind attention naturally took a poignant and beautiful shape. After a few years of deepening his craft, Suhayb began to bring his camera along to our projects. A natural counterpart to our filmmaking, Suhayb’s photography bears a palpable quality that can only be attributed to his presence.
People feel good when Suhayb is in the room.
So now, the time has come, for us to offer Suhayb’s services to our clients.
In an all-in-one package, you can hire a man who will capture your community beautifully while leaving everybody happier for it. If there ever was a time that people need a pick-me-up, it’s now. Sohype is here to answer the call.
In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out the specifics of how this service would look like. In the mean time, if you are interested, please reach out.
