Pooyan Tabatabaei

Pooyan Tabatabaei

  • Visual Storyteller
  • Photo Editor
  • Educator

Selected Recognitions

  • Magnum Foundation Scholarship & Fellowship
  • Pulitzer Center Grantee
  • NEPMCC Journalist of the Year -  (2012 | 2020) Canada

Pooyan Tabatabaei is an Iranian-Canadian Award-Wining Visual Storyteller, which has produced images of conflict and humanitarian crisis that have made headlines around the world. Pooyan lives between Tehran (Iran), and Toronto (Canada).

Pooyan’s passion for his profession has taken him around the globe, and since 1998 he has documented the lives of many incredible and unique people of different cultures, religions, beliefs, and value systems.

His works, which focus on cultural matters, and raising awareness for human rights, have been published by magazines and dailies such as: Time Magazine, Toronto Star, Panorama, BBC, CBC, Polaris. His vision has appeared in the journalism industry as a result of prestigious local and international awards, namely the Magnum Foundation Scholarship & fellowship, Pulitzer Center Fund, and 2 times the journalist of the year award from the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada.

Pooyan has witnessed conflicts and news-breaking events around the Globe such as Libya, Iran, Egypt, and India.

Born in Tehran, Tabatabaei has formalized his training through programs at the Ershad University, in Management, Ontario College of Art and Design University, University of New York, Tisch School of Arts, with a specialization in Human Rights Photography, and Whistling Woods University in India (with a focus in Cinema). He received the full scholarship to become a Magnum Foundation fellow in Social justice photography platform(2012), and studied 8 months of Masterclass and mentorship with VII photo Agency (2019 -2020).

By reflecting the true image of his subjects, his photographs aim to capture the essence of the persons in such a way that he hopes will impact the lives of those who see his photographs, and provoke the same impact as he felt whilst capturing the foresaid images.

Kahrizak, Minefield of Dreams

Kahrizak, Minefield of Dreams is a project of metaphoric exploration and the conditions of modern Iran, as seen through the guise of a mental health institution.

Selected Projects


By reflecting the true image of his subjects, his photographs aim to capture the essence of the persons in such a way that he hopes will impact the lives of those who see his photographs, and provoke the same impact as he felt whilst capturing the foresaid images.

THE DAY WHEN LOVE DIED

The Day When Love Died

Project Location | Middle East, Iran, Khoramabad Production Date | 2019-09-08 Ashura is a symbol of freedom for the people who live under the whip of cruelty and oppression, so they mourn for Hussein, who fought for his believes. Hossein is an immortal, whom every year become martyr to Invite…

Forgotten Wounds

Project Location | Middle East, Iran, Khuzestan Production Date | 2018-11-11 30 years after the end of Iran-Iraq war, People of the Khuzestan province of Iran are still living in such horrible condition. Although Iran produces over 90% of its oil from this rich Province, it seems like the…

Kharrah Mali

Project Location | Middle East, Iran, Khorramabad Production Date | 2018-11-18 People are starting their Ashura’s ceremony by covering themselves with mud, early morning in city of Khorramabad, province of Lorestan, Iran. Kharrah mali, or ‘mud rubbing’, is a ritual that is held in Iranian city of…

Streets Of Havana

Project Location | North America, Cuba, Havana Production Date | 2018-11-17 As an observer; walking in the streets of Havana and being exposed to the electric culture, diverse and complex lifestyle is mesmerizing. That’s why Havana became on the hottest spot for artists, specially painters,…

See all his projects