I love photography because it involves meeting new people and touching their stories. When Michael and Eric reached out to me to photograph their vacation in Istanbul with their three young children, I was excited to spend time with this special family. The family had previously photographed in Venice, Paris, and Barcelona. They were hoping to find the same warmth and professionalism in Istanbul. You can find the rest of the “Turkey Gay Family Photo Session” text below the photos.
As Michael stated in his first message, they were looking for a photographer they could feel comfortable with. Because unfortunately, we still live in a world where not everyone accepts LGBT+ individuals and families as they are. Of course, my answer was clear: Photography is for everyone, and love and family have nothing to do with gender or orientation. But the fact that such a question still has to be asked is heartbreaking.
A Photo Tour of the Old City
Michael, Eric, Talia, Finn, and Lily spent four full hours in the historical and impressive backdrops of Istanbul. Our first stop was the Suleymaniye Mosque. The magnificence of the mosque and its peaceful courtyard in the afternoon light, combined with the warm energy of the family, created some fun photos.
From there, we went to a famous terrace. It is known that one of the most beautiful aspects of Istanbul is the uniqueness of its rooftops and views. It was a great pleasure for me to capture the family’s joyful moments while the seagulls glided in the background.
Then, we went down to the seafront and took photos on the Galata Bridge with the sea in the background. It was very special to observe the family bond of Michael and Eric with their children amidst the fishermen, boats and the blue of the Bosphorus.
Our last stop was Sultanahmet Square. Each character was very entertaining. I really liked the family’s communication. They really raised 3 wonderful children. They are natural, sincere and completely themselves young people. Eric and Michael did a great job.
An Unexpected Discovery: Eric’s Emmys!
While chatting during the shoot, I learned that Eric Horsted is a two-time Emmy Awards winner and nine-time nominee as a sitcom writer and producer. Moreover, he was one of the names behind cult productions like Futurama! It was also a bonus that he had worked with the Simpsons team. It was a great surprise to meet one of the Holywood stars. But what I liked the most was how humble and sincere Eric and Michael are.
A Family, A Story, A City
Michael and Eric are a loving couple who have been together for years and raised three wonderful children. Their story reminded me once again that being a family does not fit into a single mold and that love is above all else. It is a great pleasure for me to have left a beautiful memory of Istanbul for Michael, Eric, Talia, Finn and Lily. I hope our paths cross again and we meet again in other cities and in other stories.
Turkey Gay Family Photo Session by Ufuk Sarisen
