We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Helin Bereket. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Helin below.

Helin, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The journey to pursuing a creative path professionally was almost serendipitous for me. It all started in 2013 when I received my first camera as a gift. It was a simple, compact camera, but I carried it with me everywhere, especially during my travels. Over time, I found myself capturing moments, textures, and scenes, slowly developing a deeper connection to photography.

In 2014, I joined Instagram, and that’s when photography started to take center stage in my life. What began as a hobby grew into something more — a passion that I realized I couldn’t ignore. I started seeing the potential for both personal fulfillment and professional opportunities within the art of storytelling through images.

It wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather a gradual shift. I didn’t immediately take the plunge. Instead, I transitioned slowly, moving my job to part-time, and eventually stepping into freelancing. It felt like a natural evolution, where the creative process and the opportunities it brought simply couldn’t be denied. I think the moment I realized I wanted to pursue this path professionally was when I truly understood how much joy it brought me — and how it could be more than just a hobby, but a way to build a meaningful career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always believed that some of the best things in life happen by chance, and my journey into photography is a perfect example of that. Like I mentioned, it all started in 2013 when I received my first camera as a gift. By 2014, I began sharing my images on Instagram, and that’s when photography really took hold of me — it evolved from a hobby to a passion, and eventually, into my career.
Today, I’m a Berlin-based freelance photographer, content creator, and creative consultant. I bring a unique blend of architecture and artistry to every project, creating visual stories that play with light, shadows, color, and geometry. My work is all about blending the functional with the artistic — capturing the essence of a space or moment while maintaining a strong sense of creativity.
In addition to photography, I offer a range of services, from developing social media strategies and managing accounts to designing innovative concepts for brands and hosting workshops.
My approach is rooted in originality; I’m deeply committed to creating work that is fresh, personal, and one-of-a-kind. I don’t believe in imitation — each project is an opportunity to bring something new to the table, even if that means taking the time to find that perfect, unique idea.
What I’m most proud of is my constant drive for creativity. I always have a new idea bubbling up, and while the process can take time, it’s this dedication to originality that fuels my work. I love providing my clients with solutions that are as distinctive as their needs, whether it’s for a photo shoot, a brand campaign, or a social media strategy.
If you’re looking for a fresh perspective and an approach that’s built on originality, I’d love to collaborate.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, one of the most important things society can do to support artists and creatives is to recognize that art and creativity are for everyone, not just the privileged few. We often think of creativity as something reserved for the “elite” or as a luxury, but in reality, art is woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Imagine a world without music, films, architecture, or design — these are all the products of creative minds, and they shape the way we experience and interact with the world.

To truly nurture a thriving creative ecosystem, we need to make art more accessible to everyone, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. This could mean more public funding for the arts, better access to creative education, and a greater effort to integrate art into public spaces and communities. Creativity has the power to unite, inspire, and even drive social change, so it’s essential that we remove the barriers that prevent people from engaging with it.

At the same time, we must support the artists themselves by valuing their work and their contributions to society — not just financially, but also by acknowledging the importance of creative careers. This includes paying fair wages, providing platforms for emerging artists, and creating a culture that celebrates creativity as a vital force for societal growth and progress.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea of perfectionism. As someone who initially set incredibly high standards for myself, especially in my creative work, I found it hard to accept that things wouldn’t always go as planned — and that’s okay.

When you work with natural light in public spaces, you quickly realize that control is a luxury. I’ve had shoots disrupted by the most unexpected things: a car parked in the perfect spot, an unplanned downpour, or even a location I traveled for hours to reach, only to find it overrun by tourists. There were also those times on a road trip when I arrived later than expected, forced to shoot under the harsh midday sun instead of the golden hour I had envisioned.

At first, these kinds of situations felt like failures, but over time I learned that they’re part of the process. The real lesson was understanding the importance of flexibility. Now, I always have a plan B — and even plan C — and I’ve learned to stay calm when things don’t go as expected. What I’ve discovered is that sometimes the most beautiful and unexpected shots come from moments that weren’t part of the original vision.

So, if I could go back and speak to my younger self, I’d tell her: perfection isn’t the goal. Embrace the imperfections, stay adaptable, and remember that creativity thrives in the moments when you let go of control and allow space for spontaneity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.helinbereket.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helinbereket/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helinstagram
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helinbereket/

Image Credits

All images taken by Helin Bereket