The Power of a Story: A Conversation with Photographer of the Year Murat Sengul

BY Sylvester January 12, 2026

Murat Sengul | New York Photography Awards

Murat Sengul

With nearly two decades in photojournalism, Murat Sengul crafts images that highlight people and the stories they carry. He believes a photograph’s value lies in its ability to evoke feeling and hold the viewer’s attention. Each image is a careful exploration of emotion and narrative.

I started taking photos to create stories. I have been a photojournalist for 17 years. I try to create stories in social events and work.

I prepared this project during the period when Israel attacked Lebanon. I tried to convey the pain and destruction of war on people's faces, and I think I succeeded.

It's important to me that the photo tells a story. If looking at the photo evokes an emotion, then it's an important photo.

Twenty-five years ago, on a vacation I went on, I wanted to create a story about my friends, so I picked up a camera on that trip.

I love photos where the focus is on people.

I would want to convey a feeling that would make someone look at my photograph for a long time.

Sharing the pain of people suffering in war and bearing witness to their stories was very painful and very difficult.

I have always been interested in social events because they concern people and life.

They need to be close to the subject they are working on and not be at odds with that subject. They should work calmly and patiently.

Be authentic.

In addition to the strength of the subject matter, it is also important to arrange the photos according to a timeline. I organize my work according to the flow of the subject matter. This makes it easier for me to understand and for my work to be understood.

I would like to study global warming thoroughly.