Draft:Middle East Images

Middle East Images is an independent press agency based in the United States that provides editorial photography services. It was founded in 2017 by photojournalist Hossein Fatemi, and the agency has a global team of over 50 photographers covering news, sports, and entertainment events worldwide.[1] The agency focuses on showcasing Middle Eastern photography from local artists, presenting visual storytelling from a culturally responsible perspective.[2]

The agency seeks to portray a more nuanced view of the Middle East beyond the mainstream imagery of war and violence.[3] It brings together photographers with firsthand experience from countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq.[4]

History

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Middle East Images started as a photo agency in 2017, with a focus on training young and talented photographers in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey through regional workshops.[5] In 2019, it was officially registered as a company, and in 2020, it launched its operations with an archive of photographs documenting the last 20 years of Middle Eastern history.[6] The agency has since collaborated with prestigious partners such as Laif, Redux Pictures, and Agence France-Presse (AFP).[7]

Awards

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  • In 2021, Middle East Images photographer Younes Mohammad received third place in the UNICEF Photo of the Year Award for his series *Open Wounds*, which depicted Kurdish children and their fathers who were injured fighting ISIS in Iraq.[8]
  • Photographer Ali Haj Suleiman received an honorable mention in the same competition for his series *Shells of War*, which captured children collecting scrap metal in war-torn Syria.[9]
  • In 2023, Hossein Fatemi was recognized by the World Press Photo for his exceptional work in covering social and cultural issues in the Middle East.[10]
  • Three Middle East Images photographers – Younes Mohammad, Zobair Movahed, and Zohreh Sabagh – won awards at the 2021 POY Asia competition for their compelling visual storytelling.[11][12]
  • Photographer Mohammad Madadi was awarded at the Istanbul Photo Awards 2021 for his work *A City Under Dust Clouds*.[13]

Publications

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Middle East Images' work has been featured in many prominent publications, including:

Middle East Images photographers have also been published in New York Magazine, Fox News, CBS News, and CNN, covering a range of Middle Eastern issues, from elections in Iran to protests and military escalations.[18][19][20][21]

Partners

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Middle East Images works in partnership with several prestigious organizations:

References

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  1. ^ "Hossein Fatemi – World Press Photo". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  2. ^ "IranWire: World Press Photo Award for ME Images Collaboration". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  3. ^ "Middle East Images – A Culturally Responsible Perspective". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  4. ^ "Redux Pictures Partnership". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  5. ^ "World Press Photo Award for Middle East Images". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  6. ^ "Middle East Images Archives Collaboration with Redux". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  7. ^ "AFP Forum Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  8. ^ "UNICEF Photo of the Year 2021 – Younes Mohammad". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  9. ^ "UNICEF Photo of the Year 2021 – Ali Haj Suleiman". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  10. ^ "World Press Photo 2023 – Hossein Fatemi". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  11. ^ "POY Asia 2021 – Award for Middle East Images Photographers". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  12. ^ "POY Asia 2021 – Portrait Award for Zohreh Sabagh". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  13. ^ "Istanbul Photo Awards – Mohammad Madadi". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  14. ^ "The Guardian Feature on Kurdish Women". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  15. ^ "The New York Times – Galatasaray Derby". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  16. ^ "Time Magazine on Narges Mohammadi". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  17. ^ "Vice – Isfahan Protests". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  18. ^ "New York Magazine – Iranian Protesters". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  19. ^ "Fox News – Iran Escalation". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  20. ^ "CBS News – Iran Elections". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  21. ^ "CNN – Iran Presidential Election 2024". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  22. ^ "Reuters Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  23. ^ "Redux Pictures Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  24. ^ "AFP Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  25. ^ "Getty Images Partnership". Retrieved 2024-09-20.