Adam Rouhana: Before Freedom

A poetic and intimate counterpoint to the photojournalistic depictions of Palestine.

Adam Rouhana's debut photobook, Before Freedom, offers an intimate portrait of everyday life in Palestine-and a poetic counterpoint to the images commonly portrayed by mainstream media. Taken from 2022 through 2024 in Jerusalem, Jericho, Haifa, Hebron, and Bethlehem, Rouhana's images depict children playing, families picnicking, idyllic olive groves, and dancing carefree youth. Yet he also bears witness to the reality of life under occupation: police checkpoints, continuous surveillance, restricted access to education and healthcare, and the constant volatility and aftermath of destruction. Tender and humane, Before Freedom is a love letter to the Palestinian people, honoring their resilience, humanity, and hope, in the midst of upheaval.