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Children can be wonderfully difficult to read one moment and completely transparent the next. A suspicious glance, a burst of laughter, a curious stare, or an exaggerated grimace can appear without warning, making childhood an especially expressive subject for street photography. Turkish photographer Murat Harmanlikli has spent years noticing those brief, unguarded moments.

Based in Istanbul and involved with photography since 1996, he wanders through streets and crowds looking for spontaneous encounters and expressions that reveal something about the people in front of his camera. For this collection, we focused specifically on the children who have become some of the most striking subjects in his work.

Scroll down to see Harmanlikli’s powerful portraits, and let us know which images stayed with you the longest.

More info: Instagram

#1

A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the curious face of a child with freckles and bangs.

murat.harmanlikli Report

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    #2

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the joy of childhood with a girl's wide smile.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    Multa Nocte (she/her 8647)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    So joyful!

    #3

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli highlighting the curiosity of childhood with a boy inside a spiral.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #4

    Murat Harmanlikli's street photo showing the intensity of childhood, with a boy's wide-eyed, curious expression.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

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    #5

    A street photo by Murat Harmanlikli shows a child with curly hair pointing directly at the camera, embodying childhood joy.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    I said no autographs.

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    #6

    A close-up, black and white street photo of a young boy's face split by a vertical and horizontal metal bar, capturing the intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #7

    A black and white street photo capturing the intensity of childhood, featuring a young boy looking down with another person's legs above him.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    Multa Nocte (she/her 8647)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    He looks old for his years.

    #8

    A black and white street photo capturing the curiosity and intensity of childhood, showing a young girl with wide eyes and a pouting face.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    Multa Nocte (she/her 8647)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago

    HUGE eyes!

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    #9

    A black and white street photo of a young boy looking directly at the camera, with grid-like shadows cast across his face, depicting the intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    Eyes too wise for a mere child.

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    #10

    Murat Harmanlikli's street photos illustrate the joy and curiosity of childhood through a child covering her eyes.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #11

    A Murat Harmanlikli street photo capturing the curiosity and intensity of childhood, with a boy pulling at his eye.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #12

    Murat Harmanlikli captures the intensity of childhood in this street photo of a child's face reflected in a mirror.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

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    #13

    A black and white street photo showing the curiosity and intensity of childhood, featuring a young boy with dirt on his face, hands clenched.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #14

    A black and white street photo captures the joy and intensity of childhood, featuring a young boy with his mouth wide open, mid-scream.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #15

    Murat Harmanlikli's street photo capturing the curiosity and intensity of childhood with three children peering up.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    BarkingSquirell
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    The eyes have it.

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    #16

    Street photos showing the curiosity and intensity of childhood with three young children looking directly at the camera.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

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    #17

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the joy and intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #18

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the joy and curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #19

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the intensity and curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #20

    Murat Harmanlikli's street photo captures two boys, one with wide-eyed intensity, showing childhood curiosity and emotion.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #21

    Murat Harmanlikli captures a child's intense expression through a curtain in a street photo, highlighting childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #22

    A close-up, black and white street photo of a young boy making a funny face, capturing the curiosity and intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #23

    A close-up, black and white street photo of a young boy with furrowed brows, staring intensely at the camera, capturing the intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #24

    A black and white street photo of a young person's profile, illuminated by many small, bright dots, capturing the curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #25

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli revealing the intensity of childhood, with a child peeking through a curtain.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #26

    A Murat Harmanlikli street photo showing the intensity and curiosity of childhood with a boy looking up at the camera.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #27

    A Murat Harmanlikli street photo of a child looking out a window with a pensive gaze, reflecting the intensity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #28

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the intensity and curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #29

    A black and white street photo of a young boy's intense gaze through a blurred metal bar, focusing on the curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #30

    A black and white street photo by Murat Harmanlikli capturing the intensity and curiosity of childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report

    #31

    Murat Harmanlikli's street photo features a child's curious face peeking through thorny branches, reflecting childhood.

    murat.harmanlikli Report