Shahrokh Hatami

Shahrokh Hatami (1928 – 2017) was an evocative and fearless photographer whose five-decade career spanned the worlds of politics, war, fashion, celebrity, and cultural transformation. Beginning his career in 1950 after transitioning from journalism to photography, Hatami quickly became a global visual chronicler of the 20th century’s most defining moments. Known professionally by his last name alone, Hatami’s lens bore witness to a breadth of history and humanity, capturing the famous, the powerful, and the revolutionary with a rare blend of intimacy and immediacy.

In 1978–79, Hatami risked his life to document the Iranian Revolution, providing a rare insider’s view of the uprising that led to the fall of the Shah. His coverage included iconic images of the street protests and the historic return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Iran in 1979, which Hatami documented from aboard Khomeini’s plane. These images, emblematic of his daring approach to photojournalism, were later acquired by the Library of Congress, cementing their historical significance.

Throughout his career, Hatami’s work reflected a remarkable access to global leaders and events. He photographed pivotal moments such as the 1977–78 peace negotiations between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. His subjects included President Gamal Abdel Nasser, King Hussein of Jordan, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, and key figures across Syria and Lebanon. Simultaneously, his charismatic presence and visual acuity allowed him access to elite cultural circles, producing behind-the-scenes portraits of Coco Chanel and rare color photographs of the Beatles at the Cavern Club in 1963.

Hatami’s versatility and unique point of view enabled him to move seamlessly between photojournalism and high society. Whether documenting African and Middle Eastern street life or the private penthouses of Paris, London, and Hollywood, he brought the same vivid sense of narrative and authenticity. His global travels produced a vast archive of images that remain essential visual records of the second half of the 20th century.

Shahrokh Hatami passed away in 2017. His photographic legacy is a remarkable testament to his ability to frame history, personality, and emotion with equal power, capturing a rapidly changing world through an uncompromising and deeply human lens.