I'm a photographer and visual design lead based in New York.
I started out in Istanbul, born to parents of Sephardic heritage, whose ancestors arrived at Türkiye from Spain, Portugal, and Italy in the late 15th century.
I grew up a multi-cultural, minority-faith queer kid, never completely sure where I fit in… and always feeling a little like an outsider.
I studied American Literature and Culture at Istanbul University but spent most of my time with LGBTQ+ activism and photography. Since the age of 15 I’ve found myself trying to capture and immortalize those around me.
I immigrated to the United States at the age of 25. Having also studied graphic design, I taught myself how to craft websites and built a business out of it. It took me a good 10 years to come back to photography, where my true passion lies: my work explores all aspects of the urban landscape, melting many elements of street, portrait, fine art, documentary, and architecture. I’m endlessly inspired by the dichotomy of what I call “the urban psyche” of both metropolises I affectionately call home: Istanbul and New York.
What I sometimes fail to articulate with words, I find ample liberty to express through my photographs. My deep appreciation makes me think of each photograph as its own love letter. Complicated, messy, yet somehow beautiful. My commissioned works have been published in the New York Times, Time Out New York as well as various local publications. One of the documentary pieces from my “Queer Theory” series was displayed on a billboard in Times Square for the NFT NYC event in 2022.
For project or print sale inquiries, or just to say hello, please email.
I’ve been somewhat on the fence as to whether should share this with the world or not, but I think I’m ready now: I’m progressively, but slowly going blind, due to a very rare, large benign tumor which is currently seated behind my eyes, causing pressure on the optic nerves. It’s ironic, how my work and passion is in a visual medium and life interjects and says, ‘I’m going to someday stop you from doing what you love the most.’ Until then, the great work of my life continues, and I’m still grateful and all that sh*t, so don’t feel too bad.
Love + Peace.