Onur Çam

Having shot thousands of images across a range of different sports, Canon Ambassador Onur Çam has built a solid reputation as one of the most prominent sports photographers in Turkey. He's also travelled the world throughout his illustrious career, which spans more than two decades.

"I just love sport. You must always be prepared and ready for everything," he says. "Sometimes when I'm shooting, my heart is hammering. I can feel the energy."

Growing up in Istanbul, Onur first picked up a camera as a teenager after being inspired by the Hollywood movie Under Fire, which tells the tale of American war correspondents. "It was fascinating; I thought in the future, I want to be like the photographers in the movie. It definitely shaped the path of my life," says Onur. "The sound of the shutter – that click, click, click – was like a harmony for me."

The Canon Ambassador went on to set up his own company, Goshots.net, in 2012, helping to shine a spotlight on amateur sportspeople. "This is like my child," he says. "We have covered many national and international events, and I'm very proud of what we have achieved."

Today, Onur continues to fire the shutter at some of the world's biggest sporting events, and he has worked with a number of international sports brands, including Adidas and Garmin. As for his favourite sport to photograph? Perhaps one of the toughest out there – the ultra-marathon. "The trail runners face extreme conditions, and you get the chance to shoot day and night, which is rare, so you need to be prepared with all the equipment," says Onur. "I've covered a competition which started in blazing sun, and then it went into very high altitude and a huge rainstorm. We were climbing a mountain and then it was snowing! It was very difficult, but I loved it."

On his secrets for success in the industry, Onur has some sound advice – always know the sport you're shooting. "You must know the sport inside out. You have to know the rules," he says. "You must know about the sportspeople too – who is top of the game, who is amateur. I generally work outdoors, and it's important to know the conditions you'll be shooting in. How is the light? How is the weather? Where is the best location to position yourself? If you miss a shot, the event won't be re-run for you. There are no second chances. You can't shout, stop, I didn't catch you! Please can you go back to the start line?"

As for the future, there is still one event Onur is keen to add to his impressive portfolio – the Olympic Games. "That's my absolute dream," he says. "Just one time in my life, I want to be there so much.

"But I feel very lucky to be photographing something I love. When I visit my family home, I see my pictures on my parents' walls. That makes me feel so proud of what I have achieved and how far I've come. My heart feels so full when I see that."

How would you describe your photography style?

"I like cinematic images. When someone looks at my images, I want them to be reminded of a movie frame. I don't want my images to be fiction; they must be real and show the reality. I like to show some small mistakes sometimes; life isn't perfect, so to have a mistake shows the reality of sport. If a picture is 100% right, for me that is fiction."


What are the biggest challenges you face with sports photography?

"You have to always be ready for all kinds of weather and various conditions. I can't control the light in the forest during an ultra-marathon and it's not easy to always catch the runners in the dark. A few years ago, when I was worn out and shooting in Turkey, I suddenly slipped and fell 100m on the ice with my equipment. I wasn't injured, but it can be very dangerous. I must always be ready and fit; sometimes we are climbing mountains, walking for miles, and carrying all of our equipment, so it's very important to be fit."


What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

"You must always be reading and learning. Know everything you can about sport and remember to put your ego in the garbage! If you want to be a good photographer, you must forget your ego. Learn and always try your best. Never forget to try different things, and never be afraid to try in the first place."


Does the type of sport make a difference to how you shoot?

"Yes, absolutely. I always use the same camera, but the lenses are always changing. Sometimes you need the wide angle to get close to the action; you always need to adapt depending on the sport you're shooting. This is why it's so important to know the sport and know your equipment. I carry three cameras with different lenses, so I am always ready for everything. I don't want to be going home crying, why didn't I change my lens? Why wasn't I ready?"


In such a competitive industry, how do you ensure your work stands out?

"The day before an event, I learn everything about the athletes, the weather, the location, and then I check my equipment. Social media has meant that people can now take an image on their phone and post it immediately, so you have to be very fast. That is key. Before digital photography, it was a very different process. I use my Wi-Fi transmitter so I can send pictures to my company straight away, where they are then sent all over the world. If my customers are happy, I am happy too. I am always trying my best for them."

Onur Çam