Born in 1967 in Artvin, photographer Ayhan Öztürk first encountered photography during his university studies in 1988. Over the years, photography became not just a hobby for him, but a way to observe and document nature and share it. Married and a father of two daughters, Öztürk shapes his work around his interest in nature and his passion for observation.
In 2007, Öztürk turned to birdwatching and bird photography, becoming one of the first members of Trakuş – Birds of Turkey, a pioneering platform in birdwatching in Turkey. Adopting the method of documenting natural life in its natural environment, the photographer prefers to photograph the natural behavior of living creatures without interfering.
One of the first to record photographs of the booted owl, the little pelican, and many other bird species in Turkey, Öztürk has gradually taken his work to an international level. He has carried out wildlife photography in many countries, including Kenya, Iceland, Russia, Colombia, Peru, Malaysia, and Costa Rica. Combining his diving hobby, which he started in 2013, with underwater photography from 2020 onwards, he has also taken photos in important diving destinations around the world, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, following his work in Turkey.
Öztürk is also an active member of the Dörtçeker Wildlife community and continues to produce nature photography projects with his teammates. He has contributed video and photo works to the documentary series "In Pursuit of a Passion"; and has supported nature conservation and awareness efforts with his visual content.
His iconic wildlife photographs have been shared on National Geographic's social media platforms; and have been featured in many newspapers and publications in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom. His photographs have also been used as a source and visual data in scientific research and academic thesis studies conducted by national parks, the General Directorate of Forestry, and universities.
Ayhan Öztürk, who has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Turkey and abroad, continues to share his curiosity about nature and his passion for discovery through his photographs.
