Alfred Yaghobzadeh was born in Tehran, Iran, to an Armenian father and an Assyrian mother. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution interrupted his university studies in interior design, and he turned instead to photographing the turbulent streets of Tehran. At the age of 19, he reported on the devastation of the Iran-Iraq war. This formative experience shaped the trajectory of his career, influencing both the subjects he covered and the agencies that represented his work. He began with the Associated Press, followed by the Paris-based agencies Gamma and Sygma. He spent two years in Lebanon for Newsweek during the civil war before joining Sipa Press, where he remained for twenty-three years.
Yaghobzadeh’s assignments have taken him around the world, reporting on breaking news and major conflicts in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He was wounded and taken hostage during Lebanon’s civil war, and some years later was seriously wounded in Chechnya, an experience he was fortunate to survive. In addition, he has reported on humanitarian crises and politics in multiple countries, while his work also spans fashion, sports, and in-depth reportage. Whatever he photographs, he does so with remarkable professionalism and relentless energy, producing a rich and extensive archive.
His early work in Iran is showcased in books such as War Iran-Iraq and Faces of War. His thirteen-year coverage of Palestine and Israel was published as Promised Peace. Other notable works include Christianity Around the World (covering more than 24 countries), Yazidi Women: Their Bodies a Battlefield, Iran’s Minorities, Family Affairs (a story of a father and his son Rafael), and A Lifetime in Afghanistan, 1988–2022: Alfred's Journey – 44 Years of Photography.
Yaghobzadeh’s work has received numerous awards, including first place from The American Overseas Press Club, and the NPPA Best of Photojournalism. He also won the first prize at the International Festival of Journalism and at Scoop in Angers, as well as the Fuji Europe Awards. In 2005, he earned another first prize from the Art and Worship World Prize (AWWP) in Tehran for his story on Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. His photographs have appeared on the covers and pages of numerous international publications, including Stern, Time, Geo, Newsweek, Paris Match, Elle, Figaro Magazine, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Life, El País, Daily Mail, and Sette.
World Press Photo Involvement:
2026 World Press Photo Contest jury member
2005 World Press Photo Contest jury member
1993 World Press Photo Contest jury member
1986 World Press Photo Contest winner
Alfred Yaghobzadeh on Social Media:
Instagram: @alfredyaghobzadehphoto
