Hi, my name is Özkan Özmen. I am a wildlife photographer from Turkey. I remember so clearly the goosebumps, when i was flipping the pages of that book in the library '' wildlife photographer of the year ''.

When i closed its last page, i knew immediately, this was the very first day of my wildlife photography adventure.

With African savanna being my childhood dream, it was not difficult to decide where to start. I was fortunate to photograph wildlife in wonderful places like Masai Mara, Kruger, Pilanesberg, Kgalagadi and Etosha.

I am the founder of Big Lens Adventures. A website dedicated to wildlife photography, where i share my images, sell my photo prints as well as handmade wildlife photography equipment, and a blog for sharing my experiences and equipment reviews. The name comes from the adventures i lived with my big lens.

In the meantime my wildlife images won awards, were published & exhibited in various national & international magazines and exhibitions.

Awards/Exhibitions

2020

• Sunday times Newspaper ''Ready for the Mane course'' 12 January 2020

• The Telegraph UK ''The family of lion Cubs'' January 7 2020

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/07/pictures-day-7th-january-2020/

2016

• Zoological Society of London wildlife photohography competition

Category: Urban City Life - Photo: Baby Baboon

http://www.zsl.org/about-us/zsl-animal-photography-prize

-Izmir conservation and development of Bird Paradise Photo Safari Competition

• 2 x Honorable Mention and Exhibition

http://www.izmirkuscenneti.gov.tr/medya/haberler.html?haber_id=2758

2015

• National Geographic Turkey Magazine

50 best photos of the last 5 years Photo: Giant Kingfisher (August 2015)

2014

• [Africa Africa] Personal photo exhibition in Kuşadası İbramaki Art Gallery

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/kusadasi-nda-afrika-afrika-fotograf-aydin-yerelhaber-502698/

• Digital SLR Photography Magazine Turkey

Portfolio of the Month: Strobist in African savanna (December 2014 )

http://www.digitalslr.com.tr/

• Smithsonian Magazine

2x Photo of the day

http://smithsonianmag.tumblr.com/post/73719761042/smithsonian-magazine-photo-of-the-day

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/photo-of-the-day/2014-04-08/elephant-and-calf/

• Pocketwizard blog

Article: Özkan Özmen goes on a Portrait Safari

http://blog.pocketwizard.com/2014/01/whats-pussycat-ozkan-ozmen-goes-portrait-safari/

2013

• U.S.A National Wildlife Ptotography contest

Honorable mention Price Photo: Born to be Brutal

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2013/2013-Photo-Contest-Honorable-Mentions.aspx

• Camerapixo Photography Magazine inspiring hotshots

Published Photo: Leopard of Masai Mara

http://issuu.com/camerapixo/docs/hotshots-camerapixo-01-online

• www.oneeyeland.com

Photo of the day: Photo: Watching documentary with the lion cub

http://oneeyeland.com/day_image.php?imgid=93778

• IG Metall - Respekt.tv Germany Calender

Exhibited photo: Respect the nature

2012

• Nature History Museum Mainz Germany :

Exhibited Photo: Colours

2010

• Kuşadası Photo Marathon

Special price winner Photo: Wings of Kuşadası

http://www.dha.com.tr/kusadasi-fotomaratonu-sona-erdi_121223.html