Q: What sparked your interest in photography, and how has your background influenced your approach to your work today?
A long time ago, a young, beautiful actress once invited me to breakfast at her apartment. She showed me a portrait photography book she was absolutely fascinated by and said, “Look at the expression in these eyes! I could look at this book for hours!” To impress her, I replied, “Yes, truly! Fantastic! Fascinating!” But secretly, I thought to myself, “Who on earth buys a book like this?” We never became a couple. However, the question of what captivated her about these images never left me.

Many years later, I transitioned from the theater scene to the advertising industry to channel my creativity into a more lucrative field. I worked as a copywriter. But what I enjoyed most was being part of advertising shoots — those were the coolest days of the year. One day, I picked up a camera that had been gathering dust in a corner of the agency and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I instantly fell deeply in love with the adventurous world of photography. From that magical moment on, not a single day of my life has passed without engaging with photography, image editing, or visual perception.

Photography gave my life an entirely new direction. It has blessed me with encounters with extraordinary people. Photography is mindfulness, and mindfulness is an inner attitude towards life, a way of connecting with others. Photography supports my desire to bring something exceptionally beautiful into the world and to bring lasting joy to people through my work for many years to come.

Q: What motivated you to participate in the IPA competition, and how has winning impacted your development as an artist and photographer?
Art, to me, has always been something one creates solely for oneself — not to please others or achieve success. You create art because there’s an inner calling you cannot ignore when you possess an artistic soul. You simply follow that inner directive. For this reason, I never had much interest in competitions in the past. Even hosting my own exhibitions was never a priority. However, a fellow artist eventually convinced me to hold an exhibition, and the overwhelming response took me completely by surprise.

Five years ago, I attended a masterclass led by a photographer whose work I deeply admired. During the class, he shared that he had recently been awarded the title of IPA Photographer of the Year — and that left a profound impression on me. There are many photography competitions, but to be recognized as the IPA Photographer of the Year even once in a lifetime is the pinnacle of artistic recognition. It’s like the Oscars of photography. Achieving this means you’re among the best in the world. Honestly, at that time, I never believed it would be possible for me. Yet, on that day, the desire to one day achieve this goal was born.

I didn’t work toward this goal with conscious ambition over the following years. It wasn’t always at the forefront of my mind, but it remained a quiet dream within me. During a walk with a friend, I once said, “In five years, I want to be an internationally recognized artist.” Four grueling and sacrificial years later, my breakthrough came almost overnight.

It took me weeks to fully grasp that I had been named Fine Art Photographer of the Year, and I’m only now starting to realize what it truly means for my life. Suddenly, international photography magazines are reaching out. I’ve been invited to exhibit my work in Paris. A Spanish art university contacted me, asking if they could show my images in their classes. Doors that had remained firmly shut for years, no matter how hard I pushed or pulled, have now opened effortlessly. Stepping through them, I’ve found an entirely new world of unforeseen artistic opportunities.

How has the IPA competition changed my life? Profoundly! I feel as though I’ve finally arrived as an artist. I no longer need to justify my work to anyone or prove anything. This has given me a deep sense of inner freedom and confidence to continue my artistic journey with renewed self-assurance. For this, I am profoundly grateful every single day.

Q: What were the most memorable or challenging moments while working on the award-winning images?
Two years ago, I found myself in a desert, unlike anything I had ever seen before. No water, no birds, no life — just a desolate, silent expanse. The strange thing was, I recognized this place from my childhood. It had once been a beautiful lake, teeming with life and a paradise for birds. Now, it was completely dried up, barren. All that remained was an old fishing boat, lying abandoned on the cracked, lifeless ground.

As I made my way home, images began to form in my mind — of a nature goddess bringing life back to this desert. A figure adorned with flowers, scattering them across the arid landscape. A dream of hope, healing, and resilience.

This vision marked the beginning of a new photographic and artistic chapter for me. The challenge lay in translating such a deeply personal and emotional experience into images that carried the same impact and resonance. But it also became one of the most meaningful creative journeys of my life, as it allowed me to explore themes of renewal and the delicate relationship between humanity and nature.

Q: What key elements do you believe make a truly impactful photo, and how do you incorporate them into your work?
Expression. Presence. Mood. That click.

When selecting my models, I look for individuals who possess a genuine, authentic, and emotionally compelling facial expression. I don’t view the people I work with merely as beautiful models; to me, they are artists who radiate the essence of true femininity.

There must be something magical, fascinating, and unique emanating from the person in the photograph — something that cannot be put into words but can only be felt. Achieving this requires a personal connection with the subject. I never greet my guests in the studio right away. Instead, we first sit down for a coffee in the kitchen, chatting about their life’s journey and the concept for the shoot. Only then do we enter the studio as friends and creative collaborators with a shared goal of creating art.

The mood of the photo comes from the interplay of light and the distinctive elements of the set. During the shoot, there has to come a moment when something just clicks. By that, I mean the split second when you instinctively know: This is the image. You feel the right result on a visceral level, and that’s when the magic happens.

Q: Which aspects of photography challenge you the most, either creatively or technically, and how do you overcome these challenges?
As a photographer, there inevitably comes a time when you feel stuck — creatively or emotionally. You start questioning your work, feeling like you’re repeating yourself or treading water. Over the years, I’ve learned that these moments aren’t failures but signs that you’ve completed a chapter in your life’s artistic journey. You’ve learned all you can in that phase, and it’s time to move forward.

These periods can feel daunting, like being trapped in a narrow, dark tunnel with no visible way out. You’ve come too far to turn back, but the path forward feels blocked. The key in such moments is not to panic but to pause and listen. Sit still, close your eyes, and open your mind to entirely new directions. Explore genres you’ve avoided, master techniques you’ve long resisted, or dive into unexpected areas like color theory, art history, or even painting. It’s often in those unfamiliar realms that you’ll discover a tiny crack of light — a new idea or perspective you previously overlooked. And as you begin to explore it, that crack can widen into an open door, leading you into an entirely new creative space.

One practical challenge that has tested me for years is the financial burden of photography. It’s an expensive art form. Cameras, lenses, studio equipment, models, makeup artists, clothing, props, and ongoing education all come at a high cost. Had I known in the beginning how much money I’d invest for the love of this art, I might have hesitated. But I’ve found that when you’re willing to give everything for your art, life has a way of rewarding you generously in return. The secret is to endure, to persevere, and to never stop creating.

To me, this journey is like standing in front of a beautiful house, longing to reach the balcony where the view is better. At first, the way up isn’t clear. You try to climb, jump, or use a ladder, but nothing works. Then, after a while, you notice a small door around the corner you hadn’t seen before. Through it, you find a staircase. It’s a slower, harder climb, step by step. But eventually, you reach the balcony, look out at the view, and think, How did I get here?

The direct path isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, the detours reveal the most beauty and teach the most valuable lessons. Photography, much like life, is an act of mindfulness. It’s not just about the destination but the journey itself. So, enjoy every step of the way.

Q: What drives your passion for photography, and where do you draw inspiration for your projects?
Long before I became interested in photography, I worked as a copywriter. A good story is always visual, and a good image always tells a story. Whether you write, photograph, paint, or compose music — it’s all the same. They are simply different outlets for the artistic soul seeking expression, using various paths, mediums, or tools. Each influences the others.

Inspiration, therefore, can come from anywhere. A single line in a book of poetry. A song title. A painting by an Old Master. A portrait by a photographic artist. The sight of a woman — and with it, the recognition and deep appreciation of the beauty in divine creation. Everything holds potential to inspire and spark an idea.

Q: Looking ahead, what goals or projects would you most like to pursue in the next phase of your career as a photographer?
I’m captivated by painting, especially the skill and craftsmanship of the Old Masters. Standing in front of a self-portrait by Rembrandt, gazing into his eyes nearly 400 years after he painted them, and feeling his sorrow and pride — that is profoundly moving. It’s a deep desire of mine to infuse my photographs with a painterly quality.

I love the craftsmanship of art. Spending nights retouching, solving the puzzles and challenges of complex composites, is something I enjoy immensely. There’s something meditative and fulfilling about working in the quiet of the night, listening to music, and fully immersing myself in the process of creating images.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is shaping an entirely new genre of art. While I find it fascinating to observe, I prefer a slow, deliberate, and hands-on approach. For me, the joy lies in the process itself — in the challenge and the craftsmanship. AI tools, with their speed and shortcuts, would take away the pleasure of creating. I want to make art, not generate it artificially.

AI offers tempting shortcuts and unprecedented visual possibilities, but it can never replace the irreplaceable experience of working with an interesting person in the studio. That shared, human connection — collaborating to create something beautiful — is something no technology can replicate. That is where the true magic lies, and it’s a magic I want to continue exploring in my art.