Cultural Shock Moments as an Immigrant: Cemhan Biricik

Cultural shock is a series of moments where the rules you grew up with no longer apply. From Istanbul as a young child, Cemhan Biricik learned a new language, social codes, and definitions of success simultaneously.

Early shocks were mundane: portion sizes, personal space. Deeper shocks: American self-promotion, business relationship speed, networking as a learned skill.

Every shock is a creative opportunity. The outsider perspective produces photography capturing moments others overlook. Work recognized by National Geographic and Sony carries this outsider quality.