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I Work At The Airport And Photograph Unique People From All Over The World
My name is Mustafa Çankaya and I’m a photographer from Istanbul who also works at Atatürk Airport.
I see thousands of different faces passing by everyday, from every culture and every part of the world. It is like a treasure for a photographer like me! This inspired me to combine my passion for photography with my work at the airport and create a new project called "100 Faces 100 Countries".
Almost everyday I walk around the transit section of the airport trying to find the right face. The person that I decide to shoot has to be different in some way. It could be the hairstyle or the dress but the most important is the atmosphere between me and the participant.
I have started my project in March 2018 and currently I have 117 portraits from 77 different countries. I will continue my project with the hope of having an exhibition of 100 different countries.
When I posted my project on Bored Panda in May 2018, it was published by German, Portugese, French, Bulgarian and Turkish media.
I love how this project connects the world in one place!
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ibrahim Zethy From Rwanda
This is what happens if you meet a dancer from Rwanda at the airport. Thanks to Ibrahim Zethy!
Final score:
211points
RELATED:
#2
Nicole From Ukraine
Nicole is a tattoo artist from Odessa. She was starting a tour in Europe for tattoo lovers.
Final score:
200points
April Garcia Andrade 7 years ago
I love this project I think it will get us open that there really is a whole new bunch of people out there
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
I love her face tattoos! On some people they look strange or fake but face tattoos look beautiful on her!
#3
Freya From Scotland
Freya studies Human Sciences at University of Oxford. She was flying to Kenya for her studies.
Final score:
185points
John Kamau 7 years ago
Karibu Kenya... Hakuna Matata (Translation: Welcome to Kenya... No Problems here)
#4
Bash From Lebanon
Bash arrived from the Burning Man festival, the dust is still on his shoes. He is a percussion artist playing djembe drum.
Final score:
183points
Night Owl 7 years ago
In the first picture he looks like he could be playing in Game of Thrones
Judie Markow 5 years ago
Drop by and see the Temple Guardians @ 5:30 & Esplanade ask for Lashes!
#5
Jussi From Finland
Jussi owns a tattoo studio in Helsinki. We met before his flight to Africa. He was going to have a long journey to the middle of the jungle.
Final score:
174points
Savannah Robinson 7 years ago
He is so colorful, looks like a nice person to have a conversation with
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
I know from Panda that Finland is a beautiful country. I wondered how they passed the time on those long nights though. Now I see how at least one guy did.
#6
Shayma From Kuwait
Shayma was following the project before we met. She wrote me between her connecting flight to Greece. She studies medicine in Malta and also volunteers for refugees in Athens.
Final score:
172points
Blacksheep 7 years ago
Those hairs!!!! So beautiful! I wish I had such a great mane even though it must be a pain in the a*s to take of them when it's a windy day and they get all tangled.
- 7 years ago
Then just grow your hair out. Mine isn't curly but gets really tangled and so looks very thick
Load More Replies... CHLOE JOHNSON 6 years ago
I may have said this about everyone but I mean it this time honestly stunning
#7
Frédéric From France
Frédéric is a teacher in Nigeria. After 2 months summer vacation he was flying back to start the new semester. By the way, the jacket is his own design.
Final score:
165points
#8
Kavinthida From Thailand
Kavinthida had holidays in Denmark. She had a very long layover.
Final score:
158points
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
she is so beautiful! i love how a lot of people on here don't have makeup, because she and a lot of others look amazing all natural!
#9
Parl From Estonia
Parl is a heptathlete from Estonia. Hereby I've learned that "hepta" means seven in Greek. We have met before her flight Houston.
Final score:
157points
Tiina Tellismaa 6 years ago
Wow what a name 😯 I'm fron Estonia and i see first time name like this. Don't get me wrong its beautiful and unique name.
Aamna Shah 5 years ago
I don't think it's sadness. I think she just looks tired.
Load More Replies... #10
Sara From Tanzania
Sara was in Barcelona for holidays. I really love the natural look in this picture.
Final score:
144points
Kyleigh Griffin 6 years ago
But......your name is sarcastic cow. Are you being sarcastic? (Lol! I'm sorry if that passed as a rude comment)
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Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
she looks like that one mom who goes to whole foods and does yoga lol - but all kidding aside, she is very beautiful!
#11
Indrė From Lithuania
Indrė was heading to California to spend her summer there.
Final score:
141points
#12
Sara From Iran
Happy to have Sara in the project! She studies dentistry and design in Moscow.
Final score:
140points
Alex Craig 7 years ago
It's so wonderful to see such a diversity of wonderful people on this planet.
Mick Fowler 7 years ago
Alex, you are so right! I wish that more of my fellow Americans could see that. An endless feast for the eyes and mind!
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#13
Idris From Nigeria
Idris is a fashion stylist from Nigeria. You can hire him both in Nigeria and Kenya! He travels a lot and we met just before his flight to New York.
Final score:
139points
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
he looks so cool, like he has his own thing and doesn't care what people think. he is so beautiful and fashionable(which i guess is good if hes a stylist lol).
#14
Christophe From Belgium
His T-shirt rocks! It even made me ask Christophe to join the project.
Final score:
139points
Pretty Pangolin 7 years ago
His beard is so lavish - I picture cartoon baby birds peeking out of it.
Tai-Shim Walters 6 years ago
Where was he headed or where was he coming from??.. id love to kno
#15
Katirina From Bulgaria
Katirina was on work & travel program at New Jersey with her friend. I met them on the way back to Bulgaria.
Final score:
139points
Denica Kyuchukova 5 years ago
Our girl... the most beautiful girl...but you can see it on your own
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
i love her eyes! for some reason, i think it's the MOST BEAUTIFUL thing when anyone naturally has an eye color lighter than their skin, it's rare and amazing.
Kyleigh Griffin 6 years ago
Are you sure she wasn't working to be a model? Not that she has to work. (I'm not Lesbian, it's just these people are awesomely model like)
#16
May From Lebanon
May loves to travel. She volunteered at a refugee camp and was on the way to Egypt for work.
Final score:
135points
#17
Sebastian From Poland
Sebastian's last adventure was the trip to the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan. He climbed to the Peak Korzhenevskaya which is 7105 m high and it took him 8 days. He was there at the same time (13th August) when the helicopter crash happened and three Russian climbers and two Tajik pilots died in the accident.
Final score:
133points
Tai-Shim Walters 6 years ago
Sooo... are we entirely sure that he didnt travel to these mountains as a hitman and hes da one who brought that helicopter down?.. i mean.. it wud make a great story.. lol
Oliver Casasola 6 years ago
Looks like he left the black metal band and is traveling to forget them
#18
Jargal From Mongolia
I have met Jargal before her flight to Ulaanbaatar. She studies in Frankfurt, Germany.
Final score:
130points
Jessica Temple 6 years ago
I love the way she uses just a splash of color on eyes and lips, that is all and looks fantastic!
#19
Gorana From Serbia
Gorana was having a quick drink before her flight to Belgrade.
Final score:
127points
#20
Frankie J From England
Frankie J is one of the best house dancers on the planet. We have met before at Istanbul Street Dance Carnival. He was the judge for House Dance contest and I was a photographer there.
Final score:
121points
Chaton 7 years ago
I don't even know how I deleted it :-) It said that he is a good dancer
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Galit Atoll 3 months ago
https://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/gallery/25473/1/rosie-matheson-s-boys
Bonita Bielawski 6 years ago
I've just been checking out his dancing. Wow!!! He is bloody amazing
#21
Paris From United States
Her full name is Paris London. What a beautiful name! She had lovely holidays in Greece and was heading home.
Final score:
118points
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
those might be the prettiest dreds I've ever seen
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Anne Rouffignac 6 years ago
Swim back to shore Maggie, I'm no oil painting but loving these pics, we're good :)
Load More Replies... Sanna Rintakoski 6 years ago
She is so beautiful... I love these pictures. You catch something peaceful and playful in people. Just watching these fotos makes me feel happy.
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
she is so beautiful! i thought it kind of ironic that her name was 2 cities she was not from- i wonder if she had ancestors there? either way her name is as beautiful as her.
Tai-Shim Walters 6 years ago (edited)
Nah... its jus sumn us black ppl do.. lol.. give our kids names of places we'll never go or things we'll most likely never have...
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#22
Rahma From Tunisia
Rahma is a sports teacher. She was on the way to Romania.
Final score:
114points
Anna Lourie 7 years ago
her faces seems so big. giant eyes and a giant smile. very sympathetic
#23
Lubna From Egypt
Lubna is a psytrance Dj from Egypt. She lives in Sharm el Sheikh.
Final score:
113points
Anna Lourie 7 years ago
first thought "she looks like the people I meet on parties" second thought "yep, she is a psytrance artist, that'll explain it."
#24
Ed From Kenya
Ed has both British & Kenya nationalities. He was waiting for his flight to Nairobi country.
Final score:
113points
Ivy Namdiero 6 years ago
Nairobi is not a country, its the capital city of Kenya, the country... nice photo though :)
Tai-Shim Walters 6 years ago
I think it meant that he was headed to the country which Nairobi is in.. thus "nairobi('s) country".. he just left off the punctuations that were needed..
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#25
Aldar From Russia
Aldar grew up in United Kingdom and still lives in London.
Final score:
113points
Blacksheep 7 years ago
Love how he styles his beard, stylish and beautiful. And those arms!!! Looking strong.
Melek Sen 6 years ago
Perfect face. I think this gorgeous man has more kinds of blood streaming in his veins. He doesn't look particularly like a Russian.
Silvia Silviutza 6 years ago
I think he has some Mongolian blood... He is cute.
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Renae Hislop 6 years ago
I live in South Africa and I don’t look like a typical south African yet I classify as one , I’m not sure what you point is Melek
Melek Sen 6 years ago
There is no piont at all, so you don't have to search for one ;) It's just my opinion. Btw... what is a typical South African in your opinion? I for example live in the Netherlands where I also was born, my parents are from Turkey but I don't 'classify' (I don't like this word) myself as a Dutch and neither as a Turk. I see myself as a person with Turkish roots living in the Netherlands. And in my opinion the man in the picture is a person with other roots than Russian.
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#26
Luna From Chile
Luna had holidays with her friends in Kenya. She lives in Germany.
Final score:
112points
John Kamau 7 years ago (edited)
Luna has a well balanced face. Her eyes and those lashes are AWESOME!!! And by the way... You are always welcome Back to Kenya ANY TIME.
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
beautiful! i think not many people can pull of piercings, but she totally can!
Barbara M. Elliott 5 years ago
Such a beautiful woman but ruined her looks with those God Awful dishes hanging in her ears
#27
Daria From Ukraine
Daria had a flight to China for the next model shooting.
Final score:
111points
Komal Aprajita Pandey 7 years ago
it seemed like she is posing before i found she's really a model
Ruby Brook 7 years ago
she doesn't have the hair or clothes of a typical model but definitely the face
#28
Gerd From Denmark
Gerd denied my offer to participate in my project at first. But, she had enough time to think about it when she was in Niger! When she came back, she explained that she liked the way this project connects people from all over the world. We met again on her way back to Denmark and had enough time for a photoshoot and a conversation.
Final score:
111points
Tai-Shim Walters 6 years ago
So shes da one responsible for all my Gastric woes... shame on you GERD.. and u seem like such a nice lady..
Katelynn Marie 7 years ago
Are dreds actually look up “box braids” and then look up “dreds” I think this more closely resembles dreds. And beautiful ones at that.
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Della Greymane 7 years ago
Dreadlocks have a documented history in Europe that goes back 3600 years to the ancient Greek and Minoan civilizations, so why wouldn't there be?
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#29
Anja From Slovenia
Anja is the third face from Slovenia and as you see Slovenians travel a lot! I’ll probably meet half of the country until the end of the project.
Final score:
110points
Christine Njeru 6 years ago
Looks like alipitia Maasai Market for the earrings and attire then to Kenyatta market for the braids. She's beautiful!
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Jennifer Jarnstrom 6 years ago
Noticed it’s all thin people a bit annoying you don’t see in interesting faces that are heavier, maybe you should add some big is beautiful pics to your stick collection.
#30
Miljana From Serbia
Miljana is a tattoo artist. She was having holidays with her boyfriend.
Final score:
108points
Captain Marvel 6 years ago
My. Immediate. First. Thought. My gosh, seriously! Thought I was the only one :P
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Filip Sertic 6 years ago
Waaaaaaaaa .... I scroled pictures and on Miljana I stop and think to myself ( this one looks like she is from Serbia ) and I am correct :-).......maybe I know her ahahahaha, or just have 'eyes' for people from balkan... Beautiful... Hello from Croatia
#31
Jacob From Sweden
Jacob is a medical student from Sweden. He was on the way to Sudan with a group of international students.
Final score:
107points
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
Nice looking man. Put on a bloody shirt, though. NO ONE wants to see your pits.
#32
Ilya From Russia
Ilya Varlamov is one of the most famous bloggers & reporters from Russia. He was preparing a video for his YouTube channel when we met. Thanks to Ilya, most of the project followers are from Russia.
Final score:
103points
Ubious Guy 6 years ago
Hah, saw the moment of you taking his picture in one of his videos, decided to google it So funny =)
Kathleen Siddall 6 years ago
He looks like my nephew(RIP Dean) with red curly hair and green eyes
#33
Martina From Austria
Thanks for spreading love Martina!
Final score:
103points
#34
Florencia From Argentina
Florencia is a forensic anthropologist. She works for the Red Cross and her last destination was Georgia.
Final score:
100points
Nikki D 7 years ago
Does no one wear makeup there? So suprised at all the freshly scrubbed faces! I feel like I could get used to this.
Night Owl 7 years ago
When you travel much and sometimes sleep on planes ... it's really not that practical
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mustafa cankaya (Submission author) 7 years ago
country Argentina, from Buenos Aires exactly
Load More Replies... #35
Sadeem From Pakistan
Sadeem studies Global Development in the University of Copenhagen. He loves to play his guitar as a hobby.
Final score:
100points
#36
Boubakar From Niger
Boubakar is the leader of the pilgrim group. I met him on his way back to Hajj.
Final score:
98points
#37
Barkinado From Senegal
Barkinado is a Senegalese painter and he has an upcoming exhibition at France La Motte-Servolex.
Final score:
90points
#38
Mustapha From Morocco
Mustapha is a member of the band called Daraa Tribes. Their music is a fusion of the ancestral tribal music of the Draa Valley with the Sahara blues specific to the city of Tagounite (an oasis in the heart of the Moroccan dessert)
Final score:
89points
#39
Simon Cheng From Taiwan
Photographer Simon Cheng was documenting the refugees in Slovenia. When we met, he was heading to Northern Irak where the refugees are coming from. Hope to meet him on his way back to hear his story!
Final score:
84points
Harr Mastic 6 years ago
To bad he was abducded at a meeting and put ib jail without any clear law braking
Deena Roth 6 years ago
I believe you've mistaken him for Lu Guang from China.
Load More Replies... #40
Sophie From France
Sophie plays her guitar as a hobby. When I met her, she was waiting for her flight to Lebanon. She has chosen a good destination to learn Arabic!
Final score:
84points
#41
Michele From Germany
Michele had a holiday in Phuket and was heading back to Berlin.
Final score:
78points
Barbara M. Elliott 5 years ago
Such a pretty woman but ruins herself with all the facial hardware
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
i love her hair and style and face and eyes and makeup and EVERYTHING
Unlikely 6 years ago
She has her own beautiful style but she reminded me instantly of Chloe from LiS.
#42
Philip Chang From South Korea
Chang with his friend arrived to Sweden. We met on their way back to Seoul.
Final score:
77points
John Kamau 7 years ago
Friend or Brother? No offense, but the one on [to] the right looks like the older brother.
#43
Mr. Dheo From Portugal
We met with Mr. Dheo after my project was published on Portuguese newspaper. He was in Dubai and wrote me that he will transit via Istanbul. We made an appointment for the shooting session and had an excellent outcome.
Final score:
72points
João Ferreira 7 years ago
Just when I thought I wouldn't see anyone from Portugal you go and meet with our boy. www.mrdheo.com
Mama Panda 7 years ago
He is an amazing artist. So talented!!!! If I am not mistaken, this is his signature look. Thank you Mustafa for including him in this beautiful, amazing, awesome project!
#44
Takeshi From Japan
Takeshi is an architect and fashion designer from Japan. He designed his dress which was inspired by the Arabic dress called thawb.
Final score:
72points
João Ferreira 7 years ago
It's the best way for mind expansion and inner growth.
Load More Replies... Renae Hislop 6 years ago
Ooh next time can you put a sign up at the airport calling bored pandas and find us for photo shoot ?
Disk Jockey Mozart 6 years ago
I just feel so uncomfortable looking at that plastic bottle in the 2nd pic
Madeleine Jones 6 years ago
yeeesss it's like it's calling to your inner ocd
Load More Replies... 
Kelley Talbot LaSalle 6 years ago
Amazing project. Beautiful portraits. Maybe a series of elderly travelers? Children?
In today's digital age, visual storytelling has taken on new dimensions and creativity knows no bounds. The project featuring global faces at an airport stands as a testament to this, capturing the essence of diverse experiences.
Similarly, a Bulgarian photographer has been tapping into the intricate relationship between humans and their loyal companions through imaginative photo collages. This creative endeavor highlights the ever-evolving landscape of artistic photography and how photographers strive to tell compelling stories through innovative means.
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What do you think ?
Valerie Lessard 6 years ago
I did like the idea of the project though and the stories behind them, but yeah, all pretty young and hipstery.
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Jo Choto 7 years ago
Some really interesting faces. I would like to see more variety in the women (you seem to photograph ONLY young, pretty women). I would also love to see some portraits of older people.
Rachelle 6 years ago
Older people & a diverse weight class would also be nice to see. Not everyone is young and thin.
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Kaan Karan 7 years ago
Great photos! Reminds one how diverse and interesting airports are. Also a bit sad considering its the final days of Atatürk Airport.
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
My late mother-In-law met Ataturk himself when she was young. Sad how Turkey is changing. Threatening to many.
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mustafa cankaya (Post author) 6 years ago
There are 44 people shared on Bored Panda, there are teachers, reporters, architects, medical students, photographers, dj's, musicians, tattooers, graffiti artists etc. and you call all of them hipsters. I have also 2 hipsters in the project but none of these are hipsters.
Load More Replies... Mama Panda 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing your project with us. I love people watching and this is exactly why. I love the differences in people, the variations from one to the next and yet all are just as beautiful as the next.
Valerie Lessard 6 years ago
I did like the idea of the project though and the stories behind them, but yeah, all pretty young and hipstery.
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 7 years ago
Some really interesting faces. I would like to see more variety in the women (you seem to photograph ONLY young, pretty women). I would also love to see some portraits of older people.
Rachelle 6 years ago
Older people & a diverse weight class would also be nice to see. Not everyone is young and thin.
Load More Replies... Kaan Karan 7 years ago
Great photos! Reminds one how diverse and interesting airports are. Also a bit sad considering its the final days of Atatürk Airport.
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
My late mother-In-law met Ataturk himself when she was young. Sad how Turkey is changing. Threatening to many.
Load More Replies... mustafa cankaya (Post author) 6 years ago
There are 44 people shared on Bored Panda, there are teachers, reporters, architects, medical students, photographers, dj's, musicians, tattooers, graffiti artists etc. and you call all of them hipsters. I have also 2 hipsters in the project but none of these are hipsters.
Load More Replies... Mama Panda 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing your project with us. I love people watching and this is exactly why. I love the differences in people, the variations from one to the next and yet all are just as beautiful as the next.
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