Mehmet Demirci

Event Details

‼️ TRIGGER WARNING: This talk may include descriptions or images of war-related violence, which may be triggering for some. Please consider this before registering.

⏰ Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy free coffee and treats from our fantastic partners, and meet other folks in the creative community. The presentation will begin at 9 a.m. and will last 45 minutes with time after for Q&A.

💗 Spread the love and bring a friend.

☕ Reduce waste and bring your own mug!

❌ This month’s event is sold out, BUT, we still encourage you to sign up for the waitlist! As space frees up, the waitlist registrants will be added automatically in order. Any waitlisted registrants are encouraged to come to the event, but will not be let in until 8:50 a.m. Some standing room is available at the venue.

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Mehmet Demirci (born in 1978) grew up in Turkey, where his passion for journalism was ignited during middle school. Determined to pursue this career path, he graduated from the Journalism Department of Ege University in 2000. Between 2001 and 2006, he contributed to various media outlets, including newspapers and magazines, focusing on news portfolios and photojournalism. During this period, he covered major historical events in the Middle East, documenting critical occurrences such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Sudanese civil war, and the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

In 2007, Demirci moved to the United States to expand his career and settled in New York. He covered pivotal events, including the 2008 U.S. presidential election, which saw Barack Obama become the first African American president. Notably, he was one of the few Turkish photojournalists granted access to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a focal point of international controversy due to its treatment of detainees.

In 2010, Demirci was selected by the New York Press Association as one of twelve foreign journalists to participate in a 10-month program focusing on the American education system. During this time, he authored numerous articles and radio features. The following year, he joined the International Journalism Exchange Program and spent two months working with the German newspaper Die Tageszeitung.

From 2012 to 2016, Demirci served as the chief photographer for the 11th President of Turkey, Abdullah Gül. In this role, he documented the president's daily activities, both domestically and internationally, and led a team of 13 professionals responsible for creating visual content distributed to government offices, media outlets, and other institutions. His work during this period included capturing official events and personal moments, offering a unique glimpse into the presidency.

After President Gül's term ended in 2014, Demirci embarked on a book project. Following extensive preparation, he published A Protocol: 990 Days with the President, the first book of its kind documenting a Turkish presidency. Between 2014 and 2016, he continued producing visual content for the 11th Presidency while also serving as its press person. During this time, he curated exhibits for the Abdullah Gül Museum and Library, Turkey's first presidential museum.

In 2022, Demirci published his second book, Bodyguards, which explores the lives of those working behind the scenes to ensure safety and security. He is currently preparing his third book, set to be released in fall 2025.

Beyond his publications, Demirci actively contributes to the photography community. He is a board member of the Eyes on Main Street Photo Festival in Wilson, North Carolina, and a founding member of the NC Photographer Coffee Club.