“Asking for a portrait is ultimately the excuse you have to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, hear their story, let them impart their wisdom,” says photographer Mert Berdilek to the Phoblographer in an interview discussing his very human process. “But, it requires courage that you develop through every successful portrait, little by little it becomes easier. I’ve always been an introverted person, always finding it challenging to strike up conversations with strangers or feel comfortable with people I don’t know.” Mert has used it to gauge his personal growth as a photographer and to get rid of some of life’s craziness.
