My name is Sara, born in November 1994 in Neyshabur, a city renowned for its profound contributions to Iranian art and culture. I initially pursued an undergraduate degree in Midwifery, but my passion for photography emerged in 2014 when I joined the Young Cinema Society of Neyshabur. This platform provided me with the opportunity to engage in photography excursions, documenting the streets and natural landscapes with enthusiasm. During this period, my primary focus was on the joy of creation rather than the technical or artistic evaluation of my work.
In August 2017, I transitioned towards a more professional engagement with photography, further immersing myself in the activities of the Young Cinema Society and earning a certificate in cinematography. Shortly thereafter, I began my career as a photojournalist for Khayam Nameh newspaper and later with the ISNA news agency, both of which enriched my understanding of visual storytelling.
My first public exhibition occurred at the Khansar Photography Festival, which not only showcased my work but also offered the opportunity to visit Isfahan, a pivotal moment in my professional development. In 2019, I curated my first solo exhibition, The House is Not Black, a project documenting the arduous lives of laborers in coal kilns. This exhibition marked a significant milestone in my career and received critical acclaim.
Between 2020 and 2023, I expanded my contributions to the field of photography by joining the Iranian Photographers Association and the Iranian Art Credit Fund. During this time, I also began teaching photography, initially through private instruction and later at the university level following the completion of my master’s degree. My academic and professional engagement with photography culminated in honorary membership in one of Iran's contemporary visual arts associations.
My artistic practice has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including solo and group presentations. Internationally, I have participated in festivals such as the Mental Health Festival, Oman Photography Festival, and events in Tajikistan. Domestically, my work has been featured in prominent festivals such as Photo 63 and the Saronaz Regional Festival.
In pursuit of academic excellence, I completed a master’s degree in Art – Photography at Iqbal Lahori University in Mashhad. My thesis, titled Representation of Women in Contemporary Iranian Photography: A Feminist Approach to the Works of Sepehr Mokhtari and Newsha Tavakolian, was successfully defended in 2023. Additionally, I have contributed to academic discourse by publishing articles in scholarly journals and presenting at conferences, including the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies of Art and Humanities, the 7th National Conference on New Horizons, and the Conference on Literary Texts.
As a scholar and practitioner, I remain dedicated to exploring the intersections of photography and contemporary issues, striving to challenge conventional narratives and uncover new perspectives. Through this medium, I seek not only to document the world around me but also to cultivate a deeper understanding of my own artistic identity.
