Murad Sezer

Murad Sezer

Based
Istanbul, Turkey
Born
Ulm, Germany
Status
Photographer
“I have learnt a lot and am still learning, especially to be patient.”

Beat

I cover sports, politics and civil disturbances.

One Shot

. Suruc, Turkey. Reuters/Murad Sezer
“I was at a refugee crossing at the Turkish-Syrian border and saw an empty cradle. How is it possible to leave behind such a basic, and important, item? It seemed so lonely and sad, like it signified a kind of hopelessness.”

Profile

When I was a kid, soccer and photography were my two hobbies. At high school I took pictures during the school soccer tournaments.

While I was studying journalism and public relations at Istanbul University, I started working as an intern at a Turkish daily newspaper.

I learned by practising. On the sports desk I had the opportunity to practice indoor, outdoor and flash photography with a basic camera, using black and white film and slides.

I shot black and white pictures of an amateur league soccer match for my first assignment. I quickly learned where to stand, and managed to capture a goal being scored.

During the first siege of Fallujah in the Iraq war, I was initially the only embedded international media photographer there. The siege left a big impression on me.

I take inspiration from my surroundings. I’m constantly on my feet, exploring where I am.

My first edit is in my mind. I know which pictures I want to use before I download them to my laptop.

I’ve never considered what I would be if I wasn’t a photographer.

I never stop learning, especially to be patient.

I don't feel I’m getting older taking pictures, but growing with the work.

Behind the Scenes

. Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters/Cihat Caner
Murad Sezer takes pictures as French climber Alain Robert, also known as "Spiderman", scales the 261-metres-high (856.3 feet) Sapphire Tower.
. Diyarbakir, Turkey. Reuters
Sezer is seen on top of a truck while covering a ceremony as part of the Holy Birth Week celebrations, marking the birth of Prophet Mohammad.
. Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
Murad Sezer (L) waits for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to depart from a polling station during the Presidential referendum in Istanbul, Turkey.
. Selcuk, Turkey. Reuters
Murad Sezer stands with camels as they wait for the Camel Beauty Contest ahead of the annual Selcuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival in the Aegean town of Selcuk, near Izmir, Turkey.