INTERVIEW With Photographer Helin Bereket

Check out our Journal interview with amazing photographer Helin Bereket!

INTERVIEW WITH HELIN BEREKET

What were your first creative outlets as a kid?

Both my parents were teachers and open-minded people, so when I was a kid I had the opportunity to try out many different things such as writing, painting, playing different instruments. My first creative outlets were the little stories I wrote and my water colour paintings. Unfortunately I lost them all when we moved after the earthquake in Turkey in 1999.

When and how did you get your first camera?

I received my first camera as a gift in 2013. Well actually it wasn’t a gift. My mom bought it and didn’t like it and just gave it to me. It was a very simple compact camera, which I always took with me on my travels.

What qualities do you want to find in the subjects/structures that you shoot?

There are a few things that catch my attention, such as geometric shapes, colors, lights, shadows or contrasts. It’s possible to see all of these elements separately or together in my photos. But I don’t have a fixed style; my photos reflect my current interests and way of thinking. And my way of thinking changes every day.

How often do you take spontaneous photos versus planning something out?

It depends where I shoot, when I shoot. When I’m on a road trip, I mostly have a bucket list, but I’m not a person who likes to jump from a spot to another one. I don’t plan the whole trip. I just have a rough route and Everything that happens in between is spontaneous. I like to make stops, shoot when I feel like it or stay somewhere longer if I like it. So 50/50 I would say.

Who do you look up to?

No one 🙂 It’s extremely important for me that I follow my own path. I like to be inspired by others, but even if I like an idea very much and want to try it out myself, I try to create my own version and give it my own touch. When you’re active on social media, you often see a lot of similar photos. It can be difficult to stay true to your own style. But I think I’ve managed to do it well so far.

What was the last photo you took that made you laugh?

Honestly I don’t remember, but when I take portraits, unexpected facial or physical expressions of people or animals mostly make me laugh. Or when I edit photos and see some details like a person in the background which I didn’t see when I captured the moment. Spontaneous moments are always the funniest.

What’s the best memory you have with your camera?

It’s hard to answer as each photo has its own story, but I think the road trips create the most memorable moments. And the best memories are mostly those that fail. Like my road trip in California in 2017. I went there with a group of friends and we weren’t really organized.

Every location on our bucket list was either closed or demolished. We accidentally went to places no one goes to, like Fresno or Bakersfield. The good thing is, none of us was sad or angry. We laughed about everything and we still do. And this is what makes this trip so special. I’d repeat it without a doubt.