By Rula Samain
Anovia- Yousef Allan, better known as King Abdullah II’s personal photographer, recently retired, recounts his extraordinary journey behind the lens; one marked by privilege, sacrifice, and devotion to his craft.
Allan, 67, married and a father of four, describes himself as someone who carried optimism from his earliest days.
“I was lucky in my childhood. I was always energetic, loved by everyone, and a source of vitality wherever I was, I used to and still do, look at life with optimism, staying away from bitterness and gloom.”
He carried his perspective of life into the camera lens, and that perspective is credited to his father, who according to Allan, shaped his personality and values, and instilled the determination that guided him throughout his career.
Allan’s professional journey began humbly.
“I started my career working at a well-known photography studio in Amman called Firas. My photos would go from my heart to my eye and then to people’s hearts, that’s why I guess, they stood out.
What set me apart was my human touch and honesty in the work.”
This authenticity soon caught the attention of the late journalist Mahmoud Al-Kayed, then chairman of Al-Rai newspaper, who requested Allan to join the paper in 1976, covering different events along with sports, to later become a certified international photographer working for the Associated Press in 1981. His work quickly gained recognition.
His career turning point came in Aqaba during a military event, where he took photos of the military dress. All the photos he took that day where published on the occasion of Jordan Army Day.
“All my pictures were published in eight full columns. They truly were special,” he recalls with a smile.
He never imagined that these photos would turn his world around.
The very next day, Allan received a phone call from the Royal Hashemite Court informing him that he had been chosen to serve as His Majesty’s private photographer.
That was 23 years ago.
“Working with His Majesty King Abdullah II, God bless him, is not a job but a daily privilege and a lesson in modesty, respect, and dedication.”
Still, Allan admits the role was far from easy.
“To be the personal photographer for His Majesty is a big responsibility. The job is demanding and very serious. It involved a lot of running—literally running—in front of His Majesty the King to capture every historical moment. It also meant carrying my backbag loaded with the needed equipment, staying focused, eliminating distractions, and dedicating myself entirely to His Majesty and the history he is shaping.”
For Allan, photography has always been more than images, they were “photographs that crystallize fleeting emotions, silent associates, and the essence of respect and power.”
He told Anovia that the more than one million photos he took over the years go beyond the moment, serve as timeless markers that capture the emotions, the place, and the story behind each image,
Allan’s work took him to countless countries around the world, capturing encounters with global leaders and moments of historical weight, the majority of which are documented in his book “Ala alahhd” True to the Pledge.
“That is a privilege and God’s blessing,” he reflects.
But the sacrifices were real.
“On a personal level, I missed many occaions in both my personal and social life and, most importantly, I missed the daily family moments,” Allan says quietly.
By the time he retired in 2023, his children were grown and had given him grandchildren.
Looking back, he admits he never imagined the path his career took him.
“I know that being around His Majesty is a wish for every single Jordanian. I was content to be a well-known photographer for two established newspapers, but never dreamt of being the King’s personal photographer. That’s why I am blessed.”
And when speaking of His Majesty King Abdullah, Allan carefully look for the words to describe an extraordinary leader.
“His Majesty is rarely tired. He spends his free moments reading and has a genuine will for world peace. I learned a lot just being around him; observing and listening to him, which have deeply reflected on my personal life. Modesty is the crown of what I have witnessed and learned from His Majesty.”
Now, Allan looks forward to savoring the moments of retirement. He spends most of his time with his grandchildren, indulging in long-awaited passions, gardening in his farm, and enjoying the hangouts with close circle of friends, not forgetting to reflect on the rich treasure of memories that have shaped his life.
*Writer, CEO and founder of Anovia magazine
