When the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, photographer Roya Heydari was taken completely by surprise. She'd already spent six years of her life exiled in Iran during the Taliban's first rule. When they returned, she was forced to leave for a second time, a decision that devastated her. As a photographer, Heydari has dedicated herself to capturing the beauty of Afghanistan's people, culture and places – wanting to show the world a brighter image of her country.