Shahrokh Hatami has been a prominent photographer for nearly fifty years, capturing a diverse array of high-profile subjects that range from celebrities and fashion to politics, warfare, and social change.
Primarily known by his singular professional name, Hatami began his career as a writer for a major newspaper in Tehran before transitioning to photography in 1950. He briefly served as the Tehran correspondent for the Black Star Agency. His notable work during this period includes coverage of the 1953 coup that led to the overthrow of democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh and the reinstatement of the Shah, which was featured in Life magazine. A quarter-century later, he documented the dramatic street fighting during the Iranian Revolution of 1978-79, which resulted in the Shah's ousting. His compelling images from this pivotal moment are now housed in the Library of Congress, a significant accolade for any photographer.
Throughout his career, Hatami formed friendships with influential figures such as Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan, and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, as well as various political leaders from Syria and Lebanon.
From the late 1950s onward, Hatami worked as a freelancer across Europe and the Middle East, with many of his photographs appearing in prestigious publications like Paris Match. He earned the trust of the elusive fashion icon Coco Chanel, producing unique behind-the-scenes images during their friendship. Additionally, he created iconic magazine covers and celebrity portraits, capturing intimate moments of stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Ursula Andress, Julie Christie, Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman, Marlon Brando, and Steve McQueen, among many others.
Hatami also ventured into the film industry, serving as a special magazine photographer on the sets of notable films including Woody Allen’s What’s New Pussycat?, Jean Luc Godard’s Le Mépris, François Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451, Casino Royale, Doctor Zhivago, Rosemary’s Baby, and Charlie Chaplin’s final feature film, A Countess from Hong Kong, which starred Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando.
During the filming of Rosemary’s Baby, Hatami became close with Mia Farrow and later directed and produced a documentary titled Mia and Roman, which is included as a special feature on the DVD of the classic horror film. He also had a close relationship with Sharon Tate prior to her marriage to Roman Polanski, and his reflections on her tragic murder are well-documented online.
Driven by determination and a captivating charm, Hatami has managed to penetrate previously inaccessible realms through his photography. His presence at the Israel-Egypt peace talks in 1977-1978, and his striking images of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, alongside his legendary flight with Ayatollah Khomeini upon his return to Iran in February 1979, showcase his extensive career. Hatami's vibrant life has spanned across Africa and the Middle East, as well as the high society of Paris, London, New York, and Hollywood, reflecting an artist whose photographic archive chronicles the latter half of the 20th century while he now turns his focus to the new millennium.
In addition to his work in politics, film, and fashion, Hatami is well-respected for his early and rare color photographs of the Beatles at the iconic Cavern Club in 1963. Sent to Liverpool by Paris Match to document Beatlemania, he gained exclusive backstage access and captured remarkable images of the Fab Four, featuring three significant guitars in rock history: John Lennon’s modified six-string Rickenbacker, Paul McCartney’s legendary Hofner bass, and George Harrison’s Gretsch Country Gentleman.
