Aug 17

Aug 17 Artist Talks: Iranian-born Kourosh Sotoodeh on NYC Inspirations

Iranian-born fashion and beauty photographer Kourosh Sotoodeh's work is in a word breathtaking. His images have graced the covers and pages of the most glam glossies the world over. We had the chance to catch up with him to chat about his passion for photography, his background and his love of New York City.

Do you remember the first time you picked up a camera and found your passion for photography?

Photography was always just a hobby, only taking photos of friends and family. In 1998 Then I met a makeup artist from Paris who was looking for a photographer to collaborate with. Those days were very special to me, having walked into the photography game with 0 experience. It was only myself, a 35mm film camera, a 50mm and 135mm lens, one roll of film and my subject. I was a bit nervous every time I walked on set, but over timeI learned to trust my instinct and just go with the flow. It's always important to keep learning.

What most inspires your work?

Cinema, for sure; it's always been my biggest inspiration since my early 20s. Being an actor was my biggest dream and photography was only for fun. Taking portraits with a film camera and waiting for them to process for print was SO exciting.

Besides cinema, seeing the works of legendary photographers Irvin Penn, Richard Avedon and Herb Ritts was always inspiring. However, in my 20s I was still in Iran and access to these references were not as easy as today. Today everyone from each corner of the planet has access to the latest magazine covers, etc…

You're originally from Iran. What brought you to New York?

Living and working in NYC was always a goal of mine and I’m happy I made it here. I love Manhattan--the tempo and dynamics totally match my energy level. Every morning when I wake up I'm in a race with my city, and I love that feeling. It pushes me to the next level of my work. In New York City you have the chance to work with the best-in-the-game of the fashion photography industry, including creative directors, fashion stylists, hair and makeup, models and more.

What areas in Manhattan most inspire your work?

All parts of this city! It is full of inspiration: coffee shops, restaurants, parks, museums and art galleries, Broadway, …

Do you have any favorite places to do a shoot?

Street photography in Manhattan is always my favorite, especially the streets of the West village and SOHO. I have a few editorials I've shot in the street; one of my favorite shoots I've done was in the subway for Glamour.

Other than New York, what other places inspire your work?

Nature is always inspiring; Anywhere RAW and far from the city, where you can have silence and only hear nature. Recently, Arizona and New Mexico became high on my list. I'd love to go back to those places again.

Favorite places to dine and hang in Manhattan?

Fanelli’s Cafe was one of my favorites. The Guggenheim Museum is another of my favorite spots in New York. It is not just a museum, it’s an art temple. Hilma af Klint was my favorite exhibition.

Tell us about any projects you're currently working on.

Besides my commercial and editorial projects, I recently started taking portraits of my favorite artists in nature using available light. I did my first one with a very talented friend in beautiful Sedona. It was a very exciting project and I’m really happy with the results. This series has a completely different vibe than my polished work and I plan to exhibit towards the end of 2021.

Photo Credit: Kourosh Sotoodeh

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Author: Elizabeth Hazard

Elizabeth Hazard is a creative director, producer and writer with several years of experience producing content for magazines, websites, brands and artists. Liz has worked with some of the most accomplished talents in the industry to conceive, develop and produce photos, videos and written work. A published author, she frequently writes about fashion, art and cultural topics for websites and publications. She also holds a certificate in curating from Node Center for Curatorial Studies in Germany.