Mazdak Sepanloo

Mazdak Sepanloo (b. 1975, Tehran) is an Iranian street and documentary photographer with a background in architecture and cinema. He first discovered his passion for the camera at the age of ten, guided by A. Naqshbandi.

He studied Architecture at the Iran University of Science and Technology, where he was introduced to art theory by R. Pakbaz. His cinematic journey began at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society and later continued as an assistant to A. Jalili in Delbaran (2000). A pivotal moment in his artistic life came in 2001 when he worked with Abbas Kiarostami on Ten and Ten on Ten. Following Kiarostami’s mentorship, he directed his first short film Passenger (2001), which was screened at several festivals.

After years of working as an architect and exhibiting his photography, Sepanloo’s visual work now focuses on the human stories and everyday poetry of urban life in Tehran and Rome — blending architectural precision with emotional honesty.

Iran University of Science and Technology – Master’s Degree in Architecture(2001)
Studied Art Theory and History under R. Pakbaz.
Completed Photography courses with M. Masoumi.
Attended Filmmaking courses at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society.
Worked as assistant to directors A. Jalili (Delbaran, 2000) and Abbas Kiarostami (Ten, 2001; Ten on Ten, 2004).

> 2000 — Aban Gallery, Tehran — Solo Photography Exhibition
2001 — Human and Nature Photography Festival, Tehran — Special Prize Winner
2008–2009 — Chicago Museum of Art and Architecture, collaborative project with Tarh O Amayesh team
2024 — Street Photography Series, ongoing documentary project between Tehran and Rome