Milad Payami

For the first time since I can remember the World has faced something so small that can’t be seen yet so big that can’t be ignored ! COVID-19 ! A name that will stay in everone’s minds for a long time and might even be passed to the next generations !

It doesn’t recognize any nationalities ! no borders ! rich and poor are the same to it ! No gender is elite ! no religion is different ! It treats them all the same way !

It has stopped most of the Sport Events ! FIBA (Where I work at the moment) has announced that all FIBA competitions are suspended as of tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020. Its the first time we’re facing such a threat and I don’t think that we will face it again at this level.

Most of the Religious gatherings cancelled. People are not on the streets anymore. They are afraid of each other ! Stock markets are going down. Flights cancelled. stay home they say for that seems to be the only way for now !

Everyday was so excited before the Final Basketball game of the Olympics in Rio 2016. It was not like any other game I ever covered. 3 to 4 hours before the start of the game, All 3 rows of photographers benches were already full… All photographers were in place as the game is about to begin in few minutes.The first line in photographers area was the only reserved one, by us (FIBA), Getty images, Reuters, NBA and a few more. The 2nd and 3rd line were first in first served so the earlier a photographer appeared the better his position would be.

Photographers in place, doing test shots, checking internet lines and cables, checking and fastening anti-theft cables for their equipment and laptops, and now it was time to relax a bit , talking to other fellows about the game, about the atmosphere and then getting ready for the real game to begin. The game everyone was waiting for, the game every Basketball fans wanted to see… and… it was my first Olympics Basketball final to cover

On the final day of FIBA Asia for Women 2017 I enjoyed one of the best Basketball games I have ever watched regardless of the winning team.

It was a full pack of great Basketball, believe, strategy, emotion, friendship, fight, hope and amazing moments. This photo represents the All Star Team of the tournament which I believe is absolutely of dream team of its level.

Li Yueru is said to become the next Yao of China, which could be true, Fujioka performed top notch basketball by her amazing intelligence and speed. I really wished Yoshida and her were not point guards at the same time they are both brilliant.  Griffen is what a team really needs to to Win a game.

The photos of this tournament as expected are more oriented toward emotions and showing the characters of the players rather than the action we might usually see in Basketball Game. (1th Aug 2017)

I usually don’t like my photos being touched… But this artwork… I was excited to see this one that was made for the Final game of FIBA Asia Championship for Women 2017 in India… Great job done on this… Let us see who holds the Trophy tonight ! (29th July 2017)

copyright of FIBA

Sometimes when doing a photoshoot, its not just about the camera or the lighting setup… Its more about the energy that flows during the photoshoot… Its really about the way you communicate… How to make your model motivated to take the shot… And the more famous and well known your model is the harder it might get to get in the same level of energy as he/she is (21th/July/2017)

climbing more than 25 floors was needed on the final day of FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup to get this shot !

It was my first event as FIBA Photomanger in a World Cup… And this was how we finished it in style… (11th/July/2017)