Saman Aghvami (b. 1984) has been a professional photographer since 2003, when he started working as a staff photographer for a prominent news agency (ISNA) in Iran, his country of birth. Before moving to Canada in 2011, Aghvami—who holds a BA in Photography—had covered social, political and sports events inside and outside of Iran. His work has appeared in numerous national Iranian newspapers, as well as in many international publications such as Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
EDUCATION:
M.F.A Documentary Media, Ryerson University - Toronto
B.F.A in photography, Azad Art & Architecture University
AWARDS& ACHIEVEMENTS:
2013- Eddie Adams Workshop, BarnStorm XXVI
2013- Nikon Scholarship, to attend Magnum Workshop, Toronto
2008- Image of the Year(Mohsen Rasoulof Award): 2nd place Sports also HM in News -HM in Arts & Artists
2008-Selected as one of Iran’s Top Ten Photoblogers by Doorbin.net
2007-World Press Photo Workshop (the workshop was cancelled due to political clashes between Iran & Netherlands)
2007- 1st place: Iranian Press Festival(News Photography)
2006-1st Place: Child & Spirituality Photo Contest
2006-Award of Excellence: Second Sports Photography Festival
2006-2nd Place:Photo of the Month – Iranian Photojournalists Association
2004-Award of Excellence: 2nd Kaveh Golestan PJ Award
EXHIBITIONS:
2015- "Freedom of Expression" - Group Show at CONTACT Festival
2014- "I'm Not There"- Solo at IMA Gallery, Toronto
2011- "Albeit Simple” (ISNA photographers Exhibition)
2010- Iran Photographers Community / Islamabad, Pakistan
2010- Azad University Photo Contest
2008- "Inner Eye” Tehran Museum of Modern Arts
2008- 1st Mohsen Rasulof Award
2007- Image of the Year-Tehran
2007- "For the Sake of Iran"-Tehran
2006- Lebanon War – PCA Museum/Tehran
2006- Sports Photography Photo Contest
2006- Image of the Year-Tehran
2005- 3rd Kaveh Golestan PJ Award
2005- “Eight Years with Khatami”- Niavaran Museum
2005-Image of the Year-Tehran
2005- “Ashoora” (I.P.C)
2004- Image of the Year-Tehran
2004- 2nd Kaveh Golestan Photojournalism Award