Merve Sertoglu Balaban is a photographer and an early childhood educator living in Istanbul, Turkey. Between 2008-2021 Merve was teaching young children and working as a school principal, while doing part time photography. Since 2021, she has been working as a full time professional photographer.

Photography has always been one of her passions since her childhood and she has been taking digital photos since 2010. She combines photography with the areas she loves the most: traveling and families.

She works enthusiastically by taking children and family photos either outside or in her studio. She is driven to capture beautiful moments and lights while exploring other countries and cities such as her home country Turkey.

In 2012, her very first trip abroad, Merve met with PWA at New York. She applied to many places to get training during her visit to NY and she found PWA’s feedback as the most sincere one. As her trainings continued on various platforms, she traveled to South Africa and many European countries; Croatia, Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Albania. Having new experiences, getting to know the new cultures, exploring foods and people’s lifestyles, making new connections with people and photographing all of them came naturally.

Merve has had two photography exhibitions in Istanbul. Both of these exhibitions talk about her first love, nature! She also loves taking photos of traveling, the people, the streets and the foods. You will never miss the harmony of sunshine in the scenery of her photos! As an educator she certainly knows that learning never ends, so she takes professional photography trainings and certificate programs in order to continue doing the best!