Description
Bio
Sabiha Çimen was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1986. She is a self-taught photographer, focusing on women, Islamic culture, portraiture, and still life. Çimen graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University with an undergraduate degree in international trade and finance, and a master’s degree in cultural studies.
In 2021, Çimen was honored with the Light Work Artist Residency. In 2020, she was named a W. Eugene Smith Fund recipient, was awarded the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant, and won second prize in the Long-Term Projects category at the World Press Photo Awards. In 2018, she won third prize in the PHmuseum Women Photographers Grant. For her debut book, Hafiz (2021), she received the Paris Photo/Aperture First PhotoBook Award.
Çimen joined Magnum Photos in 2020, became a full member in 2024. She lives between Istanbul and New York.
Mentorship
Çimen’s mentorship is a deeply reflective journey. As creators, we often become so absorbed in our ongoing work—whether it’s a long-term project or something freshly started—that we lose the ability to view it through an objective lens. Çimen understands this challenge well and offers her mentorship to help clarify and refine your artistic vision. She approaches mentorship with the intention to “crystalize the reasons behind your creative choices and to troubleshoot any obstacles that hinder your progress.” Whether you’re struggling with the editing process, sequencing, or the aesthetic presentation of your story, Çimen will guide you through these challenges with her experienced perspective.
In her mentorship, Çimen emphasizes the importance of engaging in “long, meaningful discussions.” These conversations are designed to be both deep and challenging, filled with tough questions that encourage you to think critically about your work. Yet, Çimen ensures that this process remains constructive, providing positive criticism that fosters growth rather than discouragement. Her goal is to help you find the best way to make your project better, focusing on how to translate your emotions into the images you envision.
Ultimately, Çimen’s mentorship is about pushing boundaries and encouraging you to discover new aspects of your project that will set it apart in a world filled with ubiquitous images. She challenges you to think beyond the conventional, helping you to make your project truly unique. Through her guidance, you will find ways to make your work not just a collection of images, but a powerful narrative that resonates on a deeper level.
