История портрета первой женщины-фотографа в Иране

В Иране, заглянув в любое кафе или магазин, часто можно увидеть на стене, рядом с обязательным образом лидера исламской революции Хомейни, портрет основателя семейного дела. Обычно это фото дедушек, внуки которых сейчас успешно продолжают вести бизнес. Но однажды, в одном старом тегеранском фотоателье с черно-белого снимка на меня смотрела молодая девушка. Это была бабушка нашего друга. Звали ее Зинат Балюти Табризи. Она стала одной из первых женщин, осмелившихся назвать фотографию своей профессией в Иране. Свое разрешение на работу получила в 13 лет, делать снимки научилась в 8, а любовь к объективу получила от папы и мамы с рождения.

Her love to the photos began in ancient Baku. After the first oil well was drilled in 1847 at the Bibi-Eybat, many migrants — Russians, Jews, Germans, Armenians, Azerbaijanis — came to the city. Here the cultural life flourished and the city became known as the “Paris of the Caucasus”. They came from both Russia and Persia. Among them was a young grandmother's father, Abdullahan. He began his career as an assistant of the Rostomyan David — the chief photographer of His Imperial Majesty Shah of Persia, whose clients were rich oil owners, merchants and senior officials. Here he learned Russian and the basics of photo art.

Father’s Zinat was very fond of discovering new cities and living in different places. He believed that it is better to see the world than there is to eat (the old Persian proverb). He constantly traveled and photographed. Father often walked at night, sang Russian songs and played dutar. After the 1917 revolution in Russia, Abdullakhan returns to Persia and opens his first photo studio in the Mashhad and called “Omid”. After some time, he closes the studio and moves to Tehran. Here he is arranged as an interpreter for the Russian embassy, and in the evenings he visits a photo studio of a friend.

On December 12, 1925, Shahinshah Reza Pahlavi joined the Persian Shah's throne. It was he who became the founder of modern Iran, having replaced the name of the former Persia. The Shah, first of all, began to strengthen and modernize the army. Abdullahan starts traveling with the first Pahlavi to various parts of the country. He photographs young guys from towns and villages to get a military intelligence notebook. In one of these trips, great-grandfather gets acquainted with his great-grandmother — Ashraf Sadat.

Ashraf Sadat lived in Tehran, where she photographed Shah's wives in the enderun — in special rooms of the female half. For men, the entrance was banned. If there were musicians, then only blind, and served here, as is known to many — eunuchs. Occasionally there was a Shah's doctor and a senior vizier. The latter was only in the event that the shah called him — no one else. The sons were raised in the enderun till 8 years old, and then they were given to the male half. Ashraf was not officially recognized as a photographer. This mission will be carried out a little later by her daughter Zinat.

After the wedding, the spouses move to live in Birgend. In this city they had two sons and a daughter. Sons died of a serious illness.

The family is moving again. This time to the city of Arak, where he opens his own photo studio. Little Zinat begins to attend primary school, and then senior school. At the same time, the dad teaches her the basics of photo art. Her father was always her main source of inspiration. In the eighth grade, daughter was already helping Abdullahan in the photographic office. Except grandmother, great-grandfather had many students who loved him very much. While the wife and her daughter are working in Arak, her husband opens a network of photo studios around Iran: in Birgenda, again in Mashhad, Tehran, in Sava, in Golpeyegan. Among his most popular photos is photo of the Iranian Olympic champion and prize-winner in the free fight of Gulam Reza Tahti. Another of those whose portrait can be found on the wall next to Khomeini. In Iran, he is a national hero.

During the reign of Shah Reza Pahlavi, the Iranians woman had broad rights. The state budgeted funds for education abroad, and later in Tehran itself. Women had the right to get a job on their own. That's when grandmother got her official certificate, becoming not just the first woman to be allowed to work as a photographer, but also the first girl to be photographed by the government. Chadra, which is associated with Persian women's notion of female honor, was outlawed. Despite this, many still observed the religious canons, especially the older generation. Zinat enjoyed known among those to whom the specialist's sex was very important. For example, during a wedding, religious families did not allow a photographer to enter a man's house. The ceremony was always held in two houses — the bride and groom.

In Arak, the grandmother gets acquainted with Kazen Tegrani. He falls in love with the talented beauty Zinat and begins to get involved in photography. First, grandfather was engaged in construction, but after meeting with his grandmother, he throws this and in 1950 they move to live together in Tehran, where in the center of the city Kazen opens the Tehrani studio. He devoted his whole life to black and white photographs and his beloved wife. He did everything so that every day is constantly next to her. Since then Zinat's official certificate for almost 70 years weighs at the entrance to the studio.

The windows of the photo studio were located on one of the most crowded and beautiful streets of Tehran. Next door, in the other room, was a doctor. Many knew Zinat. Her regular clients were wealthy ladies from the north of Tehran. She specialized in family and public photography. It was the hardest thing — that everyone turned out beautiful, it was necessary to be able to correctly put out the light. The camera was for her a kind of barrier between her and reality.

Due to poor vision in the last year's grandmother couldn't longer work. The time she tried to stop and catch in the photo, took her. Zinat Balooti Tabrizi passed away at the age of 76.

The archive of the studio has photos since 1943. They are now being watched by the grandson of Ali Tegrani. Unfortunately, many negatives were destroyed during the Islamic revolution in 1979. Pictures with a shah, nude nature, girls without a covered head became under strict prohibition.

Ali is a descendant of the fourth generation of photographers. He, like great-grandfather Abdullahan, fonds of playing a musical instrument and, of course, loving take photos. Now in the studio, which grandfather once opened for his grandmother to spend more time together — he works and his friendly assistant. Zinat's camera in the corner — this is a museum exhibit. Over time, the center of Tehran has become one of the worst areas. In the afternoon, it rattles with motorcycles, and in the evening it becomes dangerous. Despite the difficulties, the grandson continues to lead the family business. In the era of the social networks, the old studio not easy to survive, but he doesn't tire of multiplying the memories of friends and acquaintances. In fact a part of the grandmother. Love and pride for the first woman in Iran motivates him to tell about grandmother all the world. Now, there are a lot of things to be done here.