Ankara: Iranian documentary photographer Matin Hashemi has expressed that receiving the third prize in the Story Portrait category at the Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 has motivated him to continue his work in capturing stories that emphasize peace and human dignity within everyday life in Iran.
According to Anadolu Agency, Hashemi shared his thoughts on the recognition he received for his series “Barfi” during the Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 exhibition organized by Anadolu in Ankara. He stated, “I think this is a great honor for me to be here. This prize is helping me to improve my work and help me to publish my work for all of the world’s people. The world’s people can watch my work.”
The “Barfi” series, which follows Ahmad Reza and his white donkey foal named Barfi, has become a unique social media phenomenon in Iran. Hashemi first encountered the story on Instagram and pursued the opportunity for five months to document Ahmad Reza and Barfi. Ultimately, he traveled from Tabriz to the outskirts of Tehran to capture their daily lives over a day and a half. He noted the challenges of gaining the animal’s trust and acquiring the necessary permits to photograph the donkey in urban settings, where such animals are usually restricted in public spaces in Iran.
Hashemi emphasized his dedication to showcasing ordinary life and peace rather than conflict through his photography. He remarked, “I always try to show the subjects which can be peace and dignity,” highlighting his preference for life stories. He described the demanding nature of documentary photography, which requires building trust while accurately portraying reality. Despite the challenges, he finds the work rewarding, as it allows him to deeply connect with the subjects and their experiences.
Discussing photography’s role in the digital age, Hashemi affirmed that genuine documentary images continue to impact audiences by presenting real stories and experiences. He believes photography remains an influential medium that can effectively communicate complex realities and foster a better societal understanding.
Born in 1998 in Tabriz, Hashemi is recognized as a social documentary photographer, filmmaker, and photography instructor. He has been honored with several international awards and grants, including the Cortona Grant, DPPF Grant, LensCulture, and the Stenin Photo Award.
Since its inception in 2014, the Istanbul Photo Awards has evolved into a significant platform with over 21,000 participants, contributing to the field of photography through awards, exhibitions, and photo albums that feature winning entries. Further details about this year’s award-winning photographs and jury members, supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, are available at istanbulphotoawards.com.