Enis, the inspiring Turkish photographer

Enis is a photographer, a real one, a professional one... the kind that still studies his field. He is not "Insta" made. He is a freelance Turkish photographer who photographs for a purpose, for a bigger meaning; like a chance to connect people, to share their views, their struggles and with that, send a message, a demand and register what modern life so easily deletes.

Enis' photograph (@enisyucel_photography)

Having graduated in Business school and worked in e-marketing, his path to photography was not a straight one. It took some time untill he discovered talent and meaning in the field of Photography. What cought my attention about him is the fact that he worked with Humanitarian Photography, registering the lives of people in refugee camps and areas of civil conflict. Also, because of this work, he travelled to several countries like Yemen, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

On a Faceboook group, I read the message of Enis. He presented himself and tried to reach out to other expats who have a liking for photography. I am not a professional of the field, but I certainlly like to photograph and I - obviously - took a look at his Instagram account. What I saw there were very "eye-cathing and touching" portraits. It reminded me the photographs of a National Geographic magazine. I was intriged. Eventually, we got into contact and agree to meet.

Enis and I met in a café, a place "new", both for him and for me. Sitting outside the café, I saw him holding his camera over the table - a little sign that made me believe that he must be passionate about what he does. "He was probably taking photos of the city not long ago", I thought to myself. - Ah! He had also arrived on time and think that always means something good about a person.

I approched him and as I would quickly notice, aside from his sympathethic and respectful look, Enis is also a very inspiring type of person. He ordered a cup of black tea, I had a cappuccino and, from inside the café, there we were discussing work, life priorities, interests, culture and the importance of having goals. Oh, when you meet a person who can easily express oneself, it seems that the universe fits in a nutshell.

Interesting advice from Enis

LET THEM SEE YOU

Enis is a 46 years old man who has lived enough to notice and practice one very important thing in a person's life: to be noticeable. As we discussed about the difficulties of finding a way into the spotlight (professionally speaking), he shared that "more important than how good your work is, it is if people will remember you". I know it might sound "cold" at first, but hey, noone here is saying that your work shouldn't be good... the thing is: LET YOURSELF BE KNOWN.

"What am I doing to become known?"- He seeded that question in my mind.

He told me about how he sends emails to companies or other professionals that he would like to know and have a chat. Yes, the simple thing of sending an email and inviting someone for a coffee - "Eventually someone will answer you; and thats how you start getting to know other people who work in the same field", he said.

KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING

Our conversation made me reflect about my own "career plans" - which are looking very shady at the moment. Enis says it is important to have a general plan for at least 10 years from now, something that is big and that you can look at when you need to make decisions in life - and believe me, decisions are made daily. The thing is, if you want to make a good decision, it helps a lot if you know what your "priorities" are, right?!.

"Hm... what are mine?" - I'm just echoing here...

I think I have a "rough enough" plan of what I will be doing for the next 2 years, but a clear goal in mind, I don't have. Particularly, I sometimes allow myself to believe that I want to have my own talk-show and maybe become great like Oprah Winfrey. But often enough, my lack of confidence makes me conclude that I'm overestimating- "To have a talk show on TV like Oprah?....it is too much fot you". But is it really too much? And isn't it good "to try to achieve something" even if it will be just a temporary goal?. I think so, after all, our plans can always change, adapt.

.... a person that inspires you to think

I am glad for the conversation I had with Enis. He inspired me to rethink about the way I do certain things - like how I do networking and how I aim at a bigger goal. And you, have you ever felt inspired by someone to ask yourself these questions about life and purpose?