I hold a BA in Photography from Tehran University of Art and Architecture and have worked as a photographer for various news agencies. For the past three years, I’ve immersed myself in performance photography, editing, and documenting Iran’s rich indigenous cultures. During this time, I’ve traveled across Iran, learning local techniques and traditions firsthand. The fruit of these journeys is a collection of about 30 documentary episodes, podcasts, and a diverse array of photographs capturing ethnic communities, nature, and performance art. I’ve also led projects teaching photography to children from Iran’s ethnic groups and collaborate with the IWRF charity.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My passion lies in preserving cultures—not just in Iran, but around the globe. I’m eager to travel the world, document new traditions, and foster meaningful coexistence through my lens. I’d love to connect with hosts who share a curiosity for culture, art, or storytelling. Whether it’s swapping tales from our travels, exploring your local traditions, or collaborating on a creative idea, I’m excited to learn from and contribute to your world!

Interests

• photography
• teaching
• ecotourism
• performance art
• storytelling
• podcasting
• nature exploration
• documentary filmmaking
• indigenous traditions
• cultural documentation
• and connecting with diverse communities

Music, Movies, and Books

I’m deeply passionate about music that carries cultural and emotional depth. I love Arabic classical music, especially the works of Umm Kulthum, as well as Iranian, Balochi, and Afghan folk music. I also enjoy classical jazz, with a special admiration for Bach and Vivaldi, and rock music by bands like Anathema, Radiohead, Rammstein, and Catatonia. In literature, Dostoevsky is my favorite author—particularly Crime and Punishment. I also admire The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy, a profound exploration of mortality. I’m drawn to Eastern writers like Reza Ghasemi and Shirzad Hassan, and I enjoy theoretical books by thinkers like Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes, and Walter Benjamin, whose criticism I deeply respect. Among Iranian poets, I’m captivated by Saadi and the philosophical verses of Khayyam. As for movies, I’m enchanted by films like The Weeping Meadow by Angelopoulos, the whimsical worlds of Wes Anderson, and the minimalist, conceptual spaces of Roy Andersson. I’m especially inspired by long shots that bring a sense of wonder to the frame.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most incredible experiences I’ve had is immersing myself in the lives of Iran’s indigenous communities during my three-year journey across the country. I lived with families, learning their traditions firsthand—baking bread with them, mastering their traditional dances, and observing how they adorn themselves for weddings and celebrations. I joined their ceremonies and festivals, learned the unique sounds of shepherding, and even stayed with nomadic tribes in their traditional karpas, embracing a fully indigenous lifestyle while facing natural challenges. Most rewarding of all, I taught photography to children from these communities and later witnessed their success as they turned their skills into livelihoods, earning income through their art. These moments of cultural exchange and empowerment have been truly transformative, fueling my passion to connect with and preserve cultures worldwide.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I love sharing my skills with others, especially children. I can teach visual creativity through drawing, basic English language skills, and photography, drawing from my experience of empowering kids in Iran’s ethnic communities to express themselves through art and imagery.
Learn: I’m eager to learn traditional crafts and techniques from the communities I visit, as well as how to play traditional musical instruments—I’m fascinated by the sounds and stories they carry.
Share: I’d be happy to share stories from my travels across Iran, insights into its indigenous cultures, and my photography and documentary work. Let’s exchange experiences, traditions, and ideas over a cup of tea or a shared meal!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’d love to share stories and insights from my travels across Iran, where I’ve documented indigenous cultures through photography, documentaries, and podcasts. I can show you my work—photos, episodes, or even teach you some photography tips if you’re interested! I’m also happy to share my experiences of living with nomadic tribes, learning their traditions like baking bread or traditional dances, and facing natural challenges. If you’d like, we can cook a Persian dish together, or I can teach you some basic Persian phrases. Most of all, I’d love to exchange cultural stories and create new memories with you over a cup of tea or a walk in your favorite local spot.

Countries I’ve Visited

Iran

Countries I’ve Lived In

Iran