Reza Rostampisheh

Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, and now living in Los Angeles, I’m a strategist, an immigrant, a dad, and a lifelong observer. I started out as a graphic designer in the late ’90s, found my way into brand strategy, and in 2014 packed up my life and started over in a new country. Since then I’ve worked on global and national campaigns at BBDO (Omnicom), The Salon (IPG), Campbell Ewald (IPG) and 72andSunny.

Moving here made me a beginner again. Everything was new, from how people talk to how cities are built, and noticing those unwritten codes became a habit I never lost. It’s still the most useful thing I bring to work: seeing the familiar like an outsider, with empathy.

My early days in graphic design taught me to tell stories visually. Strategy taught me to start with people.

Photography, a parallel passion, is how I slow down and pay attention. Whether through digital street scenes or medium format landscapes, my camera keeps me curious about the small human moments most people walk past.

Being a dad keeps teaching me things no job could. It pushes me to put myself in someone else’s shoes every day. It reminds me that there are far more important things in life than corporate jargon and my own insecurities. And it’s humbling: parenting is a lifelong lesson in getting comfortable with letting go.

If any of this resonates, let’s connect. I’m always up for new collaborations, or just a good conversation about people, culture and photography.