"Peshawar is not just a city; it is a living, breathing archive of history where every face is a testament to the past."

WHY PESHAWAR?

Peshawar is a city of men, and a city of memory. As one of the oldest living cities in South Asia and a historic crossroads of empires, its past bleeds seamlessly into its present. The public sphere here—from the labyrinthine alleys of the Qissa Khwani Bazaar (the Street of Storytellers) to the smoke-filled teahouses and bustling meat markets of Namak Mandi—is a heavily male-dominated environment. This offers a raw, unfiltered look at traditional social dynamics, brotherhood, and daily life on the frontier.

During the festival of Eid ul-Adha, the city's energy is amplified. The ancient streets pulse with chaos and commerce that demand to be documented. You will be exploring and photographing the keepers of Peshawar's memory: the tea vendors, the traders, and the local Rabab craftspeople carving heritage from wood.

Participants will work toward building a cohesive visual essay around these themes that will culminate in a self-published zine. Utilising a New Journalism approach to visual storytelling, we will cover complex micro-composition, working closely with subjects in chaotic, male-dominated environments, developing a strong narrative voice, editing, and sequencing. With a small, intimate group size, you will receive tailored guidance to push your documentary boundaries.

Workshop Organiser

Sajad Ahmad

As a documentary photographer and visual storyteller, Sajad brings a deeply immersive approach to his work. Drawing directly from his own documentary project and visual essays on Peshawar, he has built a profound connection with the city's streets, its artisans, and its culture.

Known for his intimate, narrative-driven visual essays—often shot on a Leica to maintain a quiet, unobtrusive presence. Sajad emphasises the human element. Having successfully self-published documentary zines and built multimedia projects exploring street life and local craftsmanship, he understands how to bring a project from a raw concept on the streets to a finished, tangible narrative. Sajad will guide you on finding your distinct visual voice, approaching locals with empathy to navigate the unique social dynamics of the city, and sequencing your images to tell a compelling story.