“To me, fashion photography is so much more than just presenting the clothes,” says Amirhosein Farmani. “It’s a lifestyle, an attitude, and a communication.”
Farmani—who lives and works in Tehran, Iran’s capital city—is a photographer at the onset of a burgeoning career.
He uses a 35mm analogue, and mirrorless camera as his primary modus operandis, and processes his film in a dark room. The result of which are photos that may seem simple, or even minimalist, but are deeply layered, intricate and emotive.
Farmani’s work is characterised by a unique ability to capture movement, light and shadow, creating a dynamism that permeates each photo he takes. His work is fluid and full of movement—yet strong and uncompromising at the same time.
“When you visit aged Iranian architecture, even a simple administrative building, you’ll be overwhelmed by the atmosphere,” Farmani explains. “Experiencing [its power] influences how I like models and frames to display rigidity and authenticity.”
He’s also enamoured by changing seasons. Tehran experiences all four in a calendar year, which Farmani says helps keep his creative energy flowing, and challenges him to experiment with different scenery.
Still, it’s not easy working in Iran as a young creative. “Fashion photography is recently emerging, and we are pioneers in this field,” he says. “A lot of trial and error is involved.”
Farmani says legal restrictions of the current government make finding studios, locations, and models a challenge. Sanctions also add another layer of difficulty when it comes to sourcing and procuring certain equipment, which forces the photographer, and artists like him, to build their own tools and use creative methods to achieve their desired results.
But necessity is the mother of invention, and the constraints that Farmani faces only propel him further in his craft.
With such a creative landscape surrounding him, and a sharp vision guiding him, it is clear that Farmani will continue to create compelling work.
“My life experience is the source of my inspiration. Any detail at any moment can be the key to my next idea.”