Photographer Maryam Bakhshi shows us that Iranian women and girls enjoy leisure time just as much as anyone. Here they are pictured by the pool, camping, and partying--typical activities that are often overlooked by mainstream depictions of Muslimas.

Pool. Mana 28, interior manager of a company, spends her holiday in a pool party in Karadj Tehran. (2011)

Iranian girls and women live a social life just like any other woman; they party, go camping, and enjoy themselves. Perhaps these photos are hard to believe for those whose attitudes toward Iranian women is based on the Iranian government, not the Iranian people. Since these women aren’t legally allowed to appear in public places as they wish they could, they show up totally different in these private moments.

About the Author

Maryam Bakhshi has studied chemistry and photography. She has been working as a photojournalist in newspapers in Iran. Being interested in studio photography she works in documentry photography concentrating on life style. In recent years she has worked as the photo editor in a weekly magazine. She believes that photography is easiest way to express her idea since it is fast, real, and can capture individual moments.

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