I was born in Istanbul in 1985 and studied Physics before working as an FMCG marketer. Later on, I became a personal care brand entrepreneur based in Boston, MA. I’m now living in Milan, Italy.
I have professional skills in visual design (Adobe Creative Suite, CGI, and 3d design), product and lifestyle photography, and website and Instagram feed design. Helping brands with their identity and visual curation.
In 2014, I discovered photography during a time of building creative confidence which was a dazzling discovery. My obsession with art made me try painting but my real passion was photography.
In 2018, I traveled to North and Central America as a full-time street photographer. During my trip to Mexico, I discovered color painting. Since then, I’ve developed an inspiring and profound harmony with the journey. Recently, I’ve been expressing photography with this special color painting technique.
Photography is a way of thinking of life in a remarkable state of mind for me. Through photography, I’ve improved my understanding of human nature and found a charming way of expressing myself.
“There is a limitless combination of happenings around us and I intend every day to photograph those moments. It’s important to create awareness and to pause and reflect in the fast-paced world we are living in through visual storytelling.”
What's in your bag?
I started with an Olympus OMD EM-10 camera with a digital M. ZUIKO 17mm f/1.8 (eq. to 34mm in the 35mm format) lens. Now I am using a Fujifilm Xpro-2 with 23mm & 58mm Fujinon XF lens (eq. to 35mm and 85mm in the 35mm format) and a Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f/1.4 CanonFD lens.
How many times do you shoot a week?
I am mostly with my camera. Since I started the 365 projects I've been shooting on an everyday basis, which I believe helped my progress a lot.
Who are your photographic influencers?
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Joel Meyerowitz, Eliott Erwitt, William Klein, Matt Stuart, Alex Webb, Trent Parke.
How did you get into photography?
I discovered photography during the journey of building my creative confidence. My friend Kerem Nasipoglu, who is an Istanbul based street&documentary photographer, influenced me to get into photography.
Do you run into any trouble while photographing strangers?
I have learned to be more stealthy and quick while photographing on the street. I don't have such a concern as being stealthy in the streets. I am almost obvious while taking photos of people. If someone stopped or asked me about what I am doing, I try to be polite and continue on my journey.
What advice would you give to someone starting in street photography?
Have a camera on you and be ready to shoot at all times, keep an eye out for a special thing for you, be patient, and optimistic, and enjoy it, keep learning, and get inspired.
“To me, photography is an art of observation.
It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…
I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see
and everything to do with the way you see them.”
Elliott Erwitt
Thank you!