Baram Maro was born and raised in Leuven to a Belgian mother and a Kurdish father, growing up with dual cultural influences. His father, a retired guerrilla fighter from Iraqi Kurdistan who fought against Saddam Hussein in the 1970s and 80s, influenced Baram’s growing interest in his Kurdish heritage—a side of his identity he initially distanced himself from after facing bullying in school. With a passion for photography, Baram returned to his roots in March 2014 after an eight-year absence. Four months later, the war against ISIS broke out in Iraq, pushing the Iraqi Kurds to defend the Kurdish Autonomous Region, supported by Kurdish fighters from Iran, Turkey, Syria, and beyond.
Fueled by a commitment to justice and truth, Baram embraced the rare opportunity to work and live among his people. Starting as a frontline photographer, he combined his skills with writing to deeply study the Kurdish regions and culture in all their diversity over the past decade. In his work, Baram captures the raw emotions of human fragility, strength, and beauty, allowing his images to speak volumes without needing words. Through his lens, he shares a perspective grounded in empathy and an intimate understanding of a resilient people and their story.
