Payam - Taft on Fire

Payam

Award winning portrait photographer Payam continues to bring his subjects to life in a range of work - from landscape to editorial and advertising photography. Regardless of the project, Payam is known for the passion and remarkably honest approach he brings to his work, translating his diverse upbringing and experience into a unique and refreshingly authentic body of work. Born in Iran, Payam received his first camera at the age of 3 and hasn’t put down one since. He grew up between Germany and California, and his passion for understanding the human condition led him to attain a degree in Bio Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Shortly after his graduation in 2002, Payam moved to New York to begin a highly coveted internship with the Annie Leibovitz studio. He then went on to become the First Assistant and Director of Photography for some of the most world-renowned photographers, including; Mark Abrahams, Wolfgang Ludes, Norman Watson and Francesco Carrozzini. In addition to his Editorial and Advertising work, Payam follows his passion for Social, Human and Environmental causes; working with many established and award-winning creative teams and agencies to execute such campaigns. Payam’s portraits have been featured in several exhibitions including San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Photography and have won him awards and nomination by both the Lucies as well as the Master’s Cup. Payam divides his time between New York and Los Angeles and is an avid practitioner of Vinyasa and Power Yoga. In his free time, Payam can be found people watching in sunny L.A. cafes or strolling through New York’s East Village, with his two dogs Shirley and Bruno.