How did you get into photography/videography?

Well before I was a photographer I use to write for a blog which had features and reviews of places in and around London and I needed to take pictures to go along with the articles and our social media channels. Once I packed that in I thought I’d give photography a proper go.

What did you first use to take photos?

My first camera was a little compact Canon G10. I then moved on to a Canon 100d before buying into the Fujifilm system with the X-T1 then on to the X-T2.

Where did you go to school? Do you have any formal training/self taught?

I went to school in East London and I wouldn’t say formal training but I had a couple of friends who were professional photographers who helped me learn the ropes when I first began.

Do you have any nicknames?  How did you get that name?

Haha, well my oldest friends who I’ve known for around twenty five years call me “Turkish” or “Turk” for short. I’m a Turkish Cypriot and when we were kids there was this movie called  “Snatch” that came out and the main character was called “Turkish”. To this day I get called Turkish, haha.

If you could take photos of any 3 people who would it be?

Well since I’m a massive Arsenal fan, Arsene Wenger would have to be my number one choice, without a doubt. Ummm, I’d probably say Penelope Cruz and… Am I being too boring by saying another Arsenal legend in Dennis Bergkamp?

If you could take photos of any 3 people that are no longer living who would they be?

Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Muhammad Ali. I’m surprised how easy that was to answer.

If you could take photos in any 3 cities what would they be?

I’ll refrain from saying any of the cities I’ve already been to just to make it interesting. Reykjavik springs to mind pretty quickly. And I’d say Havana and Mexico City. I have no idea why Mexico City but it’s definitely somewhere I’d love to go and shoot.

What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?

That’s an interesting question. I’d like to say to capture the true essence of the person but I’ve worked with some horrid people and would not want that to come across haha. I just try to make all my subjects appear as warm and welcoming as possible. I believe a portrait is meant to be as flattering to the person in front of the lens as possible.

What music do you listen to when you edit photos?

It varies but I’ve been listening to a lot of Thievery Corporation and Afterlife lately. I actually have an editing playlist, which I need to update, on my website.

What's your favorite app on your phone?

I’m going to have to be boring and say Spotify. Sorry.

What is your dream as a photographer?

To enjoy what I do.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to be a photographer/videographer?

You’re going to be awful at the start. Like, truly dreadful. And as long as you know that and you don’t let that discourage you, you’ll eventually learn how to put together a good body of work.

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc)

I only use one social media site and that’s Instagram and you an find me at @korayhussein. My website is korayhussein.com