Who says a chemical engineer can’t moonlight as a street photographer? Meet Gökhan Arer, Istanbul’s own dual-career dynamo. By day, he’s probably mixing chemicals; by night (and weekends), he’s capturing the city’s quirkiest moments since 2015. Armed with a camera he originally bought for his son—who wasn’t exactly thrilled—Arer took to the streets, turning Istanbul’s daily chaos into rather interesting photos.

Arer’s knack for spotting the humor in everyday life has earned him accolades, including the 5th SPi Street Photography Awards in 2022. From the bustling “Holy Lands of Photography”—Sirkeci, Eminönü, and Karaköy—he serves up visual stories that make you see the city in a whole new light.

More info: Instagram | gokhanarer.com | youtube.com

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“I was born in 1970 in Istanbul,” shares street photographer Gökhan Arer. “I graduated from Kadıköy Anatolian High School and then Istanbul Technical University. I am a Chemical Engineer. I am married and have a son.”

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Gökhan’s journey into photography began in 2015 with a camera he purchased for his son. “I stepped into this magical world with a camera I bought for my son in 2015,” he recalls. “I received basic photography training in a course called Photography Workshop. Thanks to a photography instructor in this course, I met street photography, and it became my passion.”

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Balancing his professional life with his passion, Gökhan dedicates much of his free time to exploring Istanbul’s vibrant streets. “I try to take street photos in most of my time outside of my professional business life,” he says. His favorite spots include Sirkeci, Eminönü, and Karaköy, areas he fondly refers to as the “Holy Lands of Photography.”

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Gökhan’s work is characterized by a focus on candid moments and a touch of humor. “I try to compose my frames with a somewhat humorous perspective, away from the stress that covers all aspects of life,” he explains. He often experiments with composition and perspective to create visual illusions, presenting familiar scenes in unfamiliar ways. “I like to observe what is going on around me and try to find illusion-like scenes which we rarely see,” he notes.

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For Gökhan, photography serves as a therapeutic outlet. “If I had to describe the photograph in one sentence, it is an antidepressant of which side effect is only peace and happiness,” he reflects.

In 2022, his dedication and unique perspective earned him the 5th SPi Street Photography Contest award.