Moein Hasheminasab: Photographer of the week

by Head Editor Yvette Depaepe
Published the 6th of September 2021

Apart from being an excellent photographer, Moein Hasheminasab also is a film-maker and musician living in Tehran, Iran. In 2020, Moein Hasheminasab won the award for the best short film 'Dictation' at the New York Film Festival. In the field of music, he is an Electric guitar and Tan-bur player and is currently composing melodies in several genres such as rock, ambient, fusion and folklore.

Let's discover today his superb photographs, portraits as well as dance performances.

'Persian girl'

How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?
Which are your most important experiences that has influenced your art?
My childhood had a huge impact on my photography.
I lived with my family in Kermanshah until I was 8 years old, during a war between Iran and Iraq. Later on, the social and political issues in my country, Iran and the Middle East affected me a lot and nowadays, I'm still under psychological burden of that war.

Why are you so drawn by Portrait and performance photography?
When I was young, I always had a huge interest in painting portraits and that's probably what drew me to portrait photography. But furthermore, I really cannot explain why I became a photographer!

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
Mood, story and technical perfection, all three are important to me.
Most of my photos are often taken in my studio where I adjust the background, the light and the model's outfit according to my goal.

What gear do you use (camera, lenses, bag)?
I have several models of Canon cameras and different lenses.
I use Photoshop to post-process my works.

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
I am making a feature film and I have already made several short films, including one called "Dictation". I am also a musician.
I do not know whether I am a photographer or a film-maker or a musician ?!
Photography takes me to film and I have set my main goal on film making.

What is your most important advice to a beginner in Portrait and/or performance photography and how do you get started?
They must be in love with photography and work hard.

Who are your favourite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography?
To be honest, I love music more than anything, and the impact that Pink Floyd has had on my life has been the most important boost in my photography!
But the photographer who impressed me the most is Kevin Carter.

Describe your favourite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you?
I really cannot choose a specific photo, but I can introduce this image to you because it is a symbol of shape, femininity, movement and life.

'The girl & dance'

Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?
1x is the most popular and perhaps the only website where I share my work internationally.
I uploaded my very first photo in 2011 and it was accepted. I jumped out of excitement.
Thanks to 1x, my photos are available to everyone.
You are the best.

'The girl of typography'