After the Death of the Lake
BY SHAGHAYEGH SHAYANKHAH
Shaghayegh’s photography series explores the devastating impact of drought in Iran, focusing on the drying up of Hamun International Lake and Wetland, once the third largest lake in the country. The lake’s disappearance, caused by dam constructions, overuse of water resources, and climate change, has led to the loss of livelihoods like fishing and farming, as well as extreme sandstorms burying homes and contaminating freshwater wells. Almost 50% of the population in Sistan and Baluchestan has migrated due to these conditions.
ABOUT SHAGHAYEGH
Shaghayegh Shayankhah is a portrait photographer based in Iran. Her work is driven by an intimate exploration of the human psyche, using the camera as a tool to uncover the unseen layers of identity and emotion in those around her. With a focus on subtle expression and inner complexity, her portraits move beyond surface to engage with what lies beneath—the unspoken, the hidden, the quietly powerful.
Her photographs have been recognized in numerous international platforms, including Andrei Stenin International Photo Contest 2022, VOGUE China PhotoVOGUE Issue 2022, and The Next Great Fashion Image Makers–Explanations 2022. She was highly commended at the BarTur Photo Award 2022, and has earned accolades from EarthPartner 2024, Raffles Photography Awards 2020, and the Country of Heaven Photo Circuit, among others.
