Milad Payami is a photographer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller with over two decades of experience creating powerful imagery across the worlds of sport, fashion, portraiture, and editorial work.
Currently serving as Head of Photography at FIBA, Milad has led the visual storytelling for 3 Olympic Games (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), 5 Basketball World Cups, and more than 100 global competitions. His creative direction has helped shape the photographic identity of elite international events, while his lens has captured defining moments — from game-winning shots to quiet, human glances.
Milad’s fashion and editorial portfolio includes collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, FashionTV, and campaigns for major brands and influencers across Europe and Asia. His portraits are known for their emotion, elegance, and cinematic tone — appearing in over 100 publications, book covers, and international media platforms.
While based in Istanbul, Milad’s work continues to span continents — blending technical mastery with emotional depth.
What began as a personal escape — a way to feel at peace behind the camera — eventually became something far greater. Over time, Milad realized that his photography wasn’t just about capturing the world — it was about showing the world through his way of seeing. Every frame became a chance to share his thoughts, preserve emotion, and leave behind a legacy built not on noise, but on clarity and presence.
He believes a photograph should have style, intention, and a story. It should reflect instinct more than technique — emotion more than trend. Whether in the chaos of the Olympics or the silence of a fashion studio, Milad lets go, trusts his eye, and follows feeling. Preparation and discipline create the conditions — but it’s instinct that defines the shot.
As his journey evolves, simplicity has become more important than spectacle. It’s not about what he sees anymore — but how he sees. And now, that vision isn’t something he keeps to himself. Milad has begun mentoring and sharing his approach with the community, building a path for the next generation of visual storytellers to find their own rhythm.
Photography is how I listen to the world — and speak back through light.
Over the past 20 years, Milad has collaborated with organizations that share a vision for creativity, precision, and visual impact.
‘ I shoot what I feel.
I trust the instinct.
And I let go ‘
Photography is how I listen to the world — and speak back through light.
