Mahdi Barchian is visual storyteller based in Iran. He decided to pursue a career as a freelance photographer in 2013. In 2018, he joined Canadian photo agency NVP Images. His work focuses on humanitarian issues, refugee crises, internal migrations, and climate change. In his extensive travels in the Middle East, he documented diverse stories, mainly focusing on the distresses of humankind, the environment and the relationship between the two. His aim is to highlight the destructive effects of human beings on the environment and, ultimately, on life itself. His documentary work emphasizes the key role of education and art as means of hope. The latter is also very present in his work – Mahdi’s goal is to show hope as the most important part of every human’s life. His projects focuse on people’s ability to hold on to the little things that give them hope and meaning during difficult times.