Abdullah Cetinkaya

1. Let’s start at the beginning, tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? When did you first pick up a camera? Favorite breakfast item?

Hey there, my name is Abdullah, I’m originally from Isparta, Türkiye (not the Sparta from the movie 😅). But I grow up in Kosovo. A small Western Balkan country. After high school I went to Hungary to study Bachelors and then Germany to study Master’s degree. Now I’m working as a Science Teacher at a Middle School in Oklahoma City. So yeah, I’m at the front lines… 🙂

I’ll give you a small funny secret, I actually never had a proper camera and even funnier thing is that I don’t even know how to use one 🙂 All of my work was shot with various smartphones. I had my first phone at 9th grade so it was 2014’ish, when I was 15 years old. I think my strengths are having a good eye and good editing skills

My favorite breakfast is Greek yogurt with chia seeds. Here’s my go to recipe:
Start with 170g of Greek yogurt and dilute it with 100ml of water. Mix in 25g of chia seeds until smooth, then stir in 30g of rolled oats. Add a touch of raw honey and cinnamon for flavor, then top with 1 serving (140g) of fresh berries. Let it set in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just microwave it for 30 to 45 seconds and you’ve got a warm, high-protein, high-fiber breakfast ready to go!

2. You’ve shot all over the world, from Budapest to Oklahoma City, Dallas to Munich. What draws you to such a wide range of locations, and is there a common thread you’re looking for no matter where you shoot?

For me, these locations aren’t just pins on a travel map, they’re actually the chapters of my life. My time living/studying in Budapest and Munich trained my eye on old world “Mitteleuropa” scale, vintage pastels and historic Art Nouveau and Deco geometry. Moving to Oklahoma City for work opened up an entirely different visual landscape, one rooted in bold midcentury modern lines, neon signs and wide prairie light. And frequent visits to see my parents in Dallas keep me exploring the sleek architectural symmetry hidden throughout the Sunbelt.

What draws me to such a wide range of locations is realizing that the “Wes Anderson” aesthetic isn’t bound by geography or era. The common thread I’m always hunting for no matter where life takes me is intentional geometry paired with a quiet story waiting to be framed. Wherever I am, I’m always looking for three key elements: Symmetrical Distinct Architectural Style, Distinct Color Palette and a Set Like Character. My journey through studies, work and family has taught me that symmetry and nostalgic charm exist everywhere; you just have to slow down and isolate them from the surrounding noise.

3. When you’re in need of creative inspiration, where do you turn? What keeps you creatively engaged and excited?

When I need a spark of creative inspiration, I change my physical perspective and start digging into the environment around me. Coming from Europe, you’re practically spoiled while strolling through the historic centers of cities like Budapest, Vienna or Munich, centuries of ornate architecture are just right there on display at every turn. You don’t need a map, the history surrounds you. But living in the United States completely transformed my process. Here, I’ve turned into a bit of an architectural detective. I’ll do deep dive research into a specific city or neighborhood, mapping out where the historical landmarks are especially hunting for Art Deco gems and midcentury treasures tucked away between modern skyscrapers. Uncovering the history of a 1920s facade or a vintage sign before I shoot gives the photo a soul and helps me appreciate every geometric detail. What keeps me endlessly excited is the thrill of the hidden gem. In Europe, history is an open book; in United States, it’s a treasure hunt. Finding an incredible historic storybook scene on an ordinary American street corner never gets old 🙂

4. If you had to pick one item (or type of item) to sum up your photography style, what would it be?

I think I would pick a Vintage Tram. Trams naturally carry everything I look for in a frame: symmetry, clean geometric lines, pastel colors and a track that pulls your eye straight to a central vanishing point. Wrapped in nostalgic pastel painted yellows in Budapest or reds in Vienna, a tram instantly turns a busy street into a timeless storybook scene.

5. Finally, what words of wisdom would you offer someone who was looking to grow as a photographer, whether that be professionally or as a hobby?

I don’t claim to be a master photographer or have the most advanced technical skills. But my biggest piece of advice is that you don’t need the expensive camera you’ve been eyeing, nor do you need high end photo editing software. In my opinion and in my experience, growth comes from Developing the Eye, Art of Transformation and Consistency

Focus on learning how to really see the world around you. Noticing the light, symmetry and hidden details that others walk right past. Master the editing skills to take an ordinary raw shot and elevate it into a narrative, building a mood and a style that feels distinctly yours. And lastly; show up, shoot regularly and keep refining your craft.