Photobooks by Habip Koçak
Lives in Shadow of Migration
Threshold and Resistance: an Ontological Testimony of Colours
Rather than a mere documentation of objective reality, this book is an in-depth philosophical inquiry into how space, time, and the human spirit are reconstructed at extreme limits. Designed as a form of perception that crystallizes the state of liminality, this work invites the viewer to move beyond "seeing" towards "witnessing". This threshold state, interpreted through the dialectics of space, manifests itself through sharp contrasts; while a vertical, glittering architecture of power rises toward the sky on one side, a horizontal aesthetic of transience and fragility takes shape in the shadow of this magnificent silhouette on the other. The warm orange light hitting a subject's face by the fire or the cold, metallic grayness of a wire fence are not merely physical details here; they represent an ontological threshold between existence and non-existence, belonging and alienation—the mandatory "intermediate space" where a human constantly redefines their position in the world.
Resistance, emerging as a phenomenon from this liminal void, manifests as the act of the subject creating their own truth against the destructiveness of a given reality. In moments of deepest material deprivation, subverting reality through the concept of "play"—whether through pink hair clips shining in the middle of a dusty road or a vibrant yellow garment—serves as the most aesthetic evidence of this existential persistence. The sacred continuity of life manifests in the golden-yellow texture of baked bread or the grace of a pigeon preserved in the heart of darkness, while the rich texture created by colors directs attention to the essence of the phenomenon. As the viewer is invited through a Levinasian approach to take absolute responsibility in the face of the "Other," each portrait beyond the threshold appears as a fragment of truth where dignity is sealed by a gaze. This journey concludes with a teleological run toward the horizon and uncertainty, symbolising the search for an existential "home" in motion rather than roots.
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The week I spent in Benin at the end of April was far more than a journey—it was a profound encounter with life, culture, and connection. This vibrant West African country, rich in rhythm and spirit, reminded me of the power of photography and the universal ties that bind us as human beings.
Benin moved me not only with its ancient heritage but also through the warmth of its people. Each image I captured carries a story; each story, a gesture, a smile, a moment of silence. As I wandered through streets and markets, strangers welcomed me with open hearts, shared their meals, their songs, and fragments of their lives. The photographs in this book stand as a testament to those fleeting yet unforgettable moments.
I owe heartfelt thanks to Yekini Djouberou, our guide, whose presence was not only informative but deeply human. He didn’t just open roads—he opened meaning. I also extend my special gratitude to my dear friend Reha Bilir. His encouragement, support, and belief made this journey possible. Without him, this book might have remained a dream.
And to all the wonderful people I met in Benin… thank you for your kindness, your companionship, and for making this short time so rich and unforgettable. Your spirit lingers in every frame.
This book is a tribute to Benin and what I felt there. Hidden in these images are not only glimpses of a place, but the echoes of friendship, admiration, and shared humanity lived over seven extraordinary days.
The Legacy of Imam Hussein: Traces of Resistance - TASUA -
TASUA, one of the documentary photography projects of photographer and academician Habip Koçak, aims to convey the meaning of these holy days and the atmosphere of Karbala in a visual language. The photographs emphasise the spiritual and historical importance of the day of Tasua in Karbala, while reflecting the struggle of Imam Hussein and the sacrifices of his companions to the visitors. The photographs, carefully selected from hundreds of frames, aim to make them think and feel by presenting the life of Imam Hussein and the traces of his resistance in Karbala through a visual experience.
"Standing Against Oppression: Tasua and Imam Hussein"; Karbala is the epic scene of Imam Hussein's resistance. This holy place hosted a tragedy that changed the course of history and brought together suffering and sacrifice. The days of Tasua and Ashura beat at the heart of this historical tragedy; on the one hand, the ninth day in the presence of prayer and worship, and on the other hand, the tenth day when courage and sacrifice are tested. The documentary photography exhibition recreates this spiritual atmosphere in a visual narrative. The photographs follow the footsteps of Imam Hussein walking on the dusty roads of Karbala, while capturing the determination and faith in the eyes of his companions. In each frame, there is a symbol of faith and resistance; the sadness on Imam Hussein's face as he marches towards the holy place is the hope that shines in the darkness of the starless night.
Before the Light: The Unseen Riders of Veliefendi
This project follows a world that opens in that fragile moment between darkness and daylight. Long before the city wakes, before the streets fill with noise and movement, another life begins in Veliefendi. The steam rising from the horses’ breath, the muddy track, the silhouettes emerging through the mist… At the center of this world stand the exercise riders — often unnoticed, rarely named, always essential.
This work was born from a desire to look into their lives.
Far from the illuminated stage of the race day, it reaches toward a long and largely invisible history of labor. This is a profession that demands not only physical strength but emotional endurance. A life shaped every morning by cold winds, sleeplessness, risk, and instinct. They don’t simply guide a horse; they carry its mood, its rhythm, its tension, its power. The trainer’s name is heard, the horse’s name is announced, the winner is celebrated — yet the person who prepares that horse before sunrise is almost never mentioned.
These photographs exist to listen to those unheard voices.
To show a real life hidden in the trackside shadows, in the quiet doorway of the stables, in the anxious eyes of a horse and the tired hands of its rider. The aesthetics of this world are not built on speed but on ritual, not on applause but on discipline, not on spectacle but on the mixture of sweat, mud, breath, and persistence.
Here, Veliefendi is more than a location; it is a constellation of rituals, a working culture, a silent community. A universe where the same gestures repeat each morning, where every movement carries meaning, where each horse brings its own character into the relationship. To look at the lives of these exercise riders is to witness a working-class story that has long remained in the shadow of the racing industry — a story of risk, labor, belonging, and solitude.
This project is not made to romanticize or glorify anyone.
Each year, the small Welsh town of Porthcawl turns into a stage where Elvis never really left. Thousands arrive dressed as “The King” — some for fun, others in reverence — and for a few days, life itself becomes performance.
Photographer Habip Koçak has followed this extraordinary festival for several years, tracing the fragile line between imitation and identity, memory and play. His lens captures not only the glitter and the laughter, but also the quiet moments when the mask slips and the human face of devotion appears.
Persona: Elvis is not about Elvis Presley himself. It is about the people who, through him, rediscover fragments of their own lives — about how myth becomes a mirror, and how in that reflection, we glimpse who we are.
BIZIM BENIN
Bu kitap, sadece bir coğrafyanın ya da birkaç fotoğraf karesinin izini değil, aynı zamanda görmenin, hissetmenin ve derinden anlamanın hikâyesini taşır.
Benin’e yaptığımız bu yolculuk, kameralarımızı bir belge aracı olmaktan çıkarıp bir köprüye dönüştürdü. Ganvie Gölü’nde suyun üstünde süzülen teknelerden kulübelerden, Abomey Calavi’nin kızıl topraklarına serilmiş köy yollarına…
Gözlerimiz fotoğraf peşindeyken, kalbimiz başka bir gerçeğe çarptı. Sadelik içinde taşınan onur, eksiklik gibi görünen koşullarda var olan derin bir zenginlik.
En çok da çocuklar etkiledi bizi… Yalınayak, oyunun ve hayatın içinde, gülücükleriyle toprağa renk katan çocuklar…
Ve tabii ki kadınlar… Her yerdeydiler. Tarlada, evde, pazarda, suyun üzerinde sallanan teknelerde…Ve iyi ki varlar. Varlıkları dünyayı güzelleştiriyor.
Tıpkı dünyanın başka köşelerinde olduğu gibi, burada da kadınlar çalışıyor, üretiyor, yaşamı sırtlıyorlardı.
Bu kitap, o toprakların ve o insanların bizlere öğrettiklerini yalnızca göstermek değil, paylaşmak amacıyla ortaya çıktı. Her sayfada gördüğünüz yüzler, eller, bakışlar ve renkler aslında birer ayna. Kimi zaman dünyanın dengesizliğini yansıtan, kimi zaman insan olmanın en yalın halini hatırlatan aynalar.
Bu kitabın oluşumunu öncelikle eşlerimize borçlu olduğumuzu dolayısıyla en büyük teşekkürü Aynur KOÇAK ve Mesut İNCEOĞLU'na yapmamiz gerekiyor. Gezimizin gerek organizasyonu, gerekse de bizimle orada her saniye ilgilenmesi sebebiyle sevgili Reha Bilir ile Yekini Djouberou'ya ve tüm gezi arkadaşlarımıza teşekkür ederiz.
Dileriz bu kitap, sadece gözlerinize değil, kalbinize de hitap eder.
Yonca İnceoğlu - Habip Koçak, 2025
Protest Chronicles: London 2019-2024
This book is a documentary of various protest demonstrations that took place in the streets of London between 2019 and 2024. For five years, my lens captured the passion, anger, hope, and determination of crowds gathered across different corners of the city. Each frame is not merely a visual record of a moment but an echo of voices, slogans, expressions, and movements.
One of the most powerful aspects of documentary photography is its ability to transcend time, preserving social events and movements in a permanent form. The demands that echoed through the streets of London reflect a pure and genuine desire for change. These protests are not just the voices of particular groups but also a reflection of universal issues such as justice, equality, environmental awareness, and human rights.
“Protest Chronicles: London 2019-2024” represents the idea that a photographer is not only an observer but also a witness. The photographs strive not only to document moments but to capture the stories, emotions, and collective consciousness behind them.
While preparing this book, I have made every effort to preserve the context and emotion behind each photograph. As you navigate through these images, I hope you become a part of this journey. The narratives these visuals offer aim to contribute to the social memory of an era and a city.
I hope everyone who explores this book can hear the voices and stories within these images.
This book is a documentary of various protest demonstrations that took place in the streets of London between 2019 and 2024. For five years, my lens captured the passion, anger, hope, and determination of crowds gathered across different corners of the city. Each frame is not merely a visual record of a moment but an echo of voices, slogans, expressions, and movements.
One of the most powerful aspects of documentary photography is its ability to transcend time, preserving social events and movements in a permanent form. The demands that echoed through the streets of London reflect a pure and genuine desire for change. These protests are not just the voices of particular groups but also a reflection of universal issues such as justice, equality, environmental awareness, and human rights.
“Protest Chronicles: London 2019-2024” represents the idea that a photographer is not only an observer but also a witness. The photographs strive not only to document moments but to capture the stories, emotions, and collective consciousness behind them.
While preparing this book, I have made every effort to preserve the context and emotion behind each photograph. As you navigate through these images, I hope you become a part of this journey. The narratives these visuals offer aim to contribute to the social memory of an era and a city.
I hope everyone who explores this book can hear the voices and stories within these images.
June…
A time when the sky feels bluer, the streets bolder, and hearts more visible.
Around the world, rainbow flags are raised—not only as symbols of identity, but as emblems of resistance, existence, and a collective voice.
Pride is not just a celebration.It is the echo of silenced voices,
the rewriting of stories once erased. Each year, at the end of June, LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies gather to mark the anniversary of a spark that ignited in the summer of 1969—when a police raid at New York’s Stonewall Inn was met with resistance.That night, those pushed to the margins stood up.
They locked the doors on oppression and opened a window to history.
What began as four days of protest became a beacon for generations to come.
And that light—it never went out.
It continues to shine in every proud step, every defiant smile, every loving embrace on the streets of Pride. My path passed through that light.
In the faces I encountered on the street; in those walking tall, holding hands, dancing freely,in the courage of a young person with brightly dyed hair,
in the gentle smiles of parents standing beside their children—
I witnessed the same truth, again and again:The place where resistance meets love. With my eye trained by documentary street photography,
I feel honored to have witnessed these moments.Each frame in this book is more than just an aesthetic capture— it is a feeling, a moment, a statement.
This book is not merely a visual archive; it is a tribute, a thank-you, and a celebration.This journey didn’t begin with them, and it won’t end with them.
Because love transcends time, space, and fear.And when all else fades,
it is love that remains—pure, unfiltered, and full of color.
I dedicate this book to all those who, knowingly or not, stood before my lens and allowed me to capture their light.
To the guests who smile at us from these pages—
Thank you for making the world bolder, kinder, and more beautiful.
With love.
🌈
This book consists of my archive between 2014-2020. In the photographs I took, I aimed to focus more on the emotional moments of the people who are your models and to emphasise what they feel by freeing them from their identities. I hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoy shooting and we feel the same emotions together.
The relationship we have established with many of my models has evolved from photography to completely different points, although I have not personally shared them and their stories, they will all remain a secret to me for a lifetime. I bow concerning the memories of Uncle Hakkı, Ahmet Abi, Yaşar Usta and İlhan Abi who have very beautiful memories and memories of me.
I Can't Breathe
The brutal killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis in May 2020 was recorded by people before and after the murder, and after it was recorded on social media, similar problems were experienced in almost every country in the world, especially in the US. Despite the pandemic and quarantine measures, people took to the streets, protested and somehow demanded accountability.
In general, it is possible to say that the root causes of all civil movements are based on social justice, human rights demands, anti-racism, freedom, equality, welfare and similar causes.
This book is about the protests that took place in Oxford and London in August and are a tribute to the people around the world who lost their lives against racism, injustice and discrimination.
KAKAVA Behind The Scenes
This book is about Kakava and Hıdırellez, one of the indispensable Turkish holidays celebrated on May 5th. According to Islam, Hıdırellez is celebrated as the day when the prophets Hızır and İlyas met on Earth. It also celebrates the arrival of summer. People pray on this day, regardless of their wishes. They secretly write or draw their wishes on a piece of paper and throw it into the Tunca River and then come to the festival area and continue their celebrations. Many photographers work in the festival area. But I wanted to share about the festival, how Roma people prepare for the festival and what they do after the festival. This project lasted 2 years between 2018-2019. I am grateful to everyone I met and photographed for this book.
This project consists of photographs I took between 2015 and 2020. I wanted to focus more on the emotional moments of the people who are my subjects in the photographs I took sincerely. I aimed to highlight the feelings of my models by stripping them of their identities. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I enjoyed taking them and that we experience the same emotions together. No matter how much I don't know my models, maybe I will never see them again, but the story of most of them will remain with me.
I thank all my models for accompanying me in this process.