As a photographer on my first trip to Istanbul I wanted to make sure that I saw the city but also that I had the opportunity to explore areas that tourists wouldn't normally go. I enjoy street photography, but knew I had lots to learn, so I was thrilled to be able to enlist someone as skilled as Kemal as my guide for a half day. He led me up and down the side streets of Galata and gave me fantastic pointers on what watch for, what to do, and how to set myself up for solid street images. I learned lots that I was able to put into use through the remainder of my stay in Istanbul. In this day and age when everyone seems to be about their Instagram shot, it was great to meet someone who cares about old school photography and is willing to share both his technical skills and his knowledge of the city. Beyond that, Kemal was personable and had a good sense of humor. I'd highly recommend him to anyone, including single women who might be nervous about going out alone with their camera.

I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Kemal on my recent tour! Not only was he incredibly friendly and welcoming, but he also brought me to some of the most breathtakingly scenic views that nightlife has to offer. The tour expertly showcased a perfect mix of everything, from the vibrant atmosphere to the hidden gems that only a local would know. What really impressed me was how safe and secure I felt throughout the entire tour. Kemal's knowledge and insight allowed me to see and hear things that I'm sure most people would miss without a local guide. His expertise was invaluable, and I felt like I was getting a true insider's perspective on the city's nightlife scene. Overall, I would 100% recommend Kemal and his tour to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. His passion and dedication to sharing his city with visitors is truly evident, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore with him

My teenagers are interested in photography, but I don’t really know much about it. We booked this as a way to explore the city more and to hopefully improve our skills, and it did not disappoint. I’m particularly glad we booked it early in our trip so we could keep practicing the skills we learned. If you have even the slightest interest in taking better photos, I couldn’t recommend this more. Kemal checked with us before the tour to see what equipment we had (iPhones) and then he brought the same along for himself so he could constantly be showing us how to improve our pictures with the equipment we have. He did an amazing job explaining basics to us about how to frame shots and some magic moments to look for that really make an interesting photograph. Kemal also showed us how to use numerous features on our phones that I had either never really explored or never knew existed. He took us down fascinating streets in Istanbul that we never would have known about on our own, even though they were just a street or two away from our hotel. My teenagers (and myself and my husband) loved it and now we all keep talking about things we see on the street that would make great photos. I, personally, feel like I’m seeing details around me that I wouldn’t have noticed before which is making me feel more immersed in my vacation.

I actually did two photography tours with Kemal, and I loved them both. Kemal has connections and you may get lucky and see, experience, and take pictures of some workshops that are very rare, and near extinct on this tour, I was given some choices of what I would like to see. We went to the Grand Bazaar, Kemal knows and works with a lot of different shops, so he knows where to go and can help you experience things that most tourist will never see, like the location that provides tea to the shops, a jewelry repair shop, and multiple others. The we went to a place that processes silk from cocoons for Turkish rugs. This is a skill that few people even know anymore. We were able to see and photograph the whole process, and we even got to see a master silk weaver tying silk knots for a rug. Then we went to a place that was smelting bronze. That is also something that is quite rare, and extremely interesting to see and photograph. The melting point of the metal is over a thousand degrees, and wow, what a process to witness and capture on film. Kemal was so enjoyable, and such a good teacher. I am a newish photography hobbyists, and this workshop helped take me to the next level. Kemal was able to help with all of my camera questions, and explain a lot about what is needed to take a good picture. Every picture that he took was amazing, and he will help you capture your own amazing images. Best money ever spent trying to upgrade my photography skills.