SAEDNEWS: Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, a passionate photography enthusiast, was the first king to bring the art to Iran. In Niavaran Palace, he set up his camera, struck poses, and took pictures of himself. These pastimes closely resemble what today’s influencers do—but for him, it was pure hobby, not business.
According to the Science and Technology Desk of Saed News, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, one of the monarchs of the Qajar era, had a deep passion for photography and is remembered as the first king to introduce the art to Iran. At the time, photography was not only a modern technological innovation but also a personal pastime and form of entertainment for him.
Naser al-Din Shah often visited Niavaran Palace, setting up his camera amid its lush, beautiful gardens. Sometimes, he even struck particular poses—like reading a book—to capture a distinctive image of himself.
In many ways, his photography mirrored the activities of today’s social media influencers, who share personal moments to attract attention. The key difference, however, is that what was a leisure activity and personal experience for Naser al-Din Shah has now evolved into a vast industry and a source of income for countless individuals. Even adding captions or noting the location of a photo bears resemblance to modern “geotagging.”
The photographs Naser al-Din Shah captured at Niavaran and other palaces are now considered valuable historical artifacts, offering a vivid glimpse into the life and passions of this Qajar king.
