KHAATERAT

Client: KHAATERAT

Overview: Khaaterat—“memories” in Farsi—was a Persian pop-up rooted in the chef’s family trips to northern Iran and his desire to reconnect with his culinary heritage. He requested that I shoot on film, a medium he loves for its texture and nostalgia, and one that feels naturally tied to the name of his pop-up. I spent the afternoon moving between the charcoal grill and the buzz of shared plates: whole fish cooking over smoke, roasted dips, and steak kebabs passed between friends. Shot on Kodak Portra 400 with flash, this series leans into capturing the feeling of an evening where food, memory, and atmosphere folded into one another.

Two male chefs in aprons preparing food in a kitchen with pink walls and shelves with various kitchen items.
Two chefs preparing dishes in a professional kitchen with various ingredients and utensils on a wooden counter.
People dining outside a cafe called Modus Coffee Roasters with a chef preparing food on a grill, seen through large front windows and graffiti on a brick wall.
Assorted dishes on a wooden table including a green salad, a dish with sliced vegetables and basil, a yellow dish with onions and spices, a dish with grilled meat and sauce, and a basket with naan bread. A menu is also visible.
A woman with dark hair and tattoos on her arm is wearing a white shirt and is eating a piece of cake at a table. There are several glasses of water, a phone, and other items on the table. Another person is holding a fork with a piece of cake. The sce
A man with a beard and a tattoo, wearing a white baseball cap and dark shirt, holding a drink, standing outside a building with a sign that reads 'modus.' Through the window, a person wearing a white shirt and apron is pouring something at a barbecue
People sitting around a table with partially eaten food, taking a photo with a smartphone. The table has plates of seafood, glasses of drinks, and utensils.
A man with tattoos wearing a white t-shirt and black apron is pouring a yellow sauce over a grilled fish on a decorative plate in a kitchen.
A man cooking on a grill outdoors during the day with sunlight shining brightly.
A woman with tattoos and curly hair pouring sauce over three bowls of food on a kitchen counter.
A man with curly hair and sunglasses and a woman with long dark hair and a patterned jacket look at a phone and papers together outside a brick building with a sign reading 'modus'
Man wearing a beige cap and beige shirt holding a grilled oyster near his lips, sitting at an outdoor table during dusk with plates, glasses, and a woman in the background.
Group of six people standing outside a restaurant called 'modus coffee', smiling and posing for a photo during daytime, with a brick building and trees reflected in the window behind them.
Two men grilling fish outdoors in front of a brick building with a sign that reads 'Athens Cultural Club'.
Two men standing at a wooden counter reviewing papers or menus in a cafe or restaurant. Five other staff members are working behind them in the kitchen area.
A group of people sharing a meal, with a chef serving fish at the table, in a cozy setting.
Two tattooed men with beards sitting on a bench outdoors, sharing a snack and drinks, under a tree on a city sidewalk with storefronts and street in background.
A woman with glasses and tattoos on her arm sitting at a table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera, while a man in a black t-shirt serves food in the background.
Man with dark curly hair, mustache, and tattoos on arms, wearing a white t-shirt and black apron, pointing at food on a table in a kitchen or restaurant setting.
People dining at a restaurant, with one person serving food on a plate, during daytime.
A smiling chef with tattoos serving plates of food in a busy restaurant kitchen.
People working in a kitchen preparing dishes, with plates of greens and other ingredients on the counter showing an active cooking scene.
A man cooking outside near a brick building with a sign that says "modus" and a reflection of the sign in the window.