Left in the Sun

Kiana Hayeri

2022-2025 — Afghanistan

About this series

Kiana Hayeri (1988) documents the lives of Afghan women before and after the return of the Taliban – a reality once marked by hope and freedom, now over- shadowed by uncertainty and oppression. Following the withdrawal of Western troops in the summer of 2021, Afghanistan faced a dramatic reversal: women’s rights, freedom of expression, and access to education were dismantled within days. With her series Hayeri gives a voice to those often overlooked in mainstream media coverage. Her images tell stories of loss and resilience, portraying courageous women who uphold their dignity despite unimaginable hardships. Her work captures the lived realities of women who have endured decades of war while also questioning one-dimensional and often distorted narratives. Hayeri’s photography sheds light on the duality of human existence, where resilience and vulnerability coexist. Her project goes beyond mere documentation – it is a profound testament to the dignity and strength of women who, despite ongoing conflict, continue to fight for self-determination.

Photographer: Kiana Hayeri
Nationality: Afghan
Based in: Sarajevo, Bosnia
Website: www.kianahayeri.com
Instagram: @kianahayeri

Kiana Hayeri (b.1988) grew up in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Toronto as a teenager. She took up photography to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. In 2014, she moved to Kabul, staying for eight years. Her work often explores migration, adolescence, identity, and sexuality in conflict zones.
Kiana has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Tim Hetherington Visionary Award (2020), the James Foley Award for Conflict Reporting (2020), the Robert Capa Gold Medal (2021), and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (2022), the Carmignac Photojournalism Award (2024). She was part of The New York Times team that won The Hal Boyle Award (2022) and was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting. In 2024, she published a photobook “When Cages Fly” which was shortlisted for Rencontres d’Arles Author Book Award, IPA Photobook Awards and a finalist for Lucie Photoook Award, APhF Pick:24 Book Award. Kiana is laureate of the 14th Carmignac Photojournalism Award.
Kiana is a TED fellow, a National Geographic Explorer grantee, and a regular contributor to The New York Times. She is currently based in Sarajevo, covering stories from Afghanistan, the Balkans, and beyond.