Born in Iran, I grew up interested in the fascinating world that surrounded me. The colours, the smells, the culture, the intensity. I was moved at a young age to capture what I saw through my lens.

Driven by a need to describe beyond what words could capture I was ruthless in pursuing those moments of truth. However, when faced with the reality of what the lens saw, some were confronted and I was persecuted for my passion; tortured with the threat of hanging.

Arriving in Australia as a refugee I was not allowed to work so I had to deal with little money. I decided to stop paying rent and instead lived in the street and sometimes friend’s houses, eating less and saving more to buy a lens.

Photography is creativity and creativity takes courage, that was my motivation to continue photography.

Continuing with my search for the truth of world, I hope to help people to come out of their comfortable bubble and make them just think just for one second.

The perfect photo would capture the flavour of that moment, whether that is through its sharpness, direction, point of view, lighting, editing or any number of other things. Changing any of these things is so much fun and contributes to the aesthetic of the shot.

While Michael O’Neill is my favourite photographer, I am influenced by my own personal endless love for photography and the connection that I develop with my subjects. This is also my challenge; to capture the subject as they are. I ask myself, how can I capture the reality of my subject and the true essence of the moment? How can I bring flavour to the picture?

I hope to be able to photograph the most mysterious and rare personalities – those who effect the world massively with their actions; dictators, presidents, religious leaders, and to capture their true stories or secrets that remain hidden behind their eyes.

@marsalekphotography