About Akif Hakan
-Striving to go beyond established styles and widen the boundaries of photographic expression-
From fashion shots to artistic nudes, from sensual portraits to stylized productions, Akif Hakan frees himself of the traditional rules of photography in order to combine techniques and styles as he sees fit. Through fantastical stagings, he strives to tell a story to spectators, as though they were looking at the freeze frame of a film mid-screening. His horizontal compositions adopt the format of the movie screen when his models pose with the virtuosity of actors in front of the lens. Akif Hakan is navigating constantly between Japanese hotel rooms, overpopulated Chinese cities, and arid landscapes.It is his desire to travel that allows him to see the world as a stage by seeking inspiration from the different cultures that he encounters on his way. His images are described as “expressionistic” and "cinematic" with full of unusual color combinations, lively details, extreme contrasts and powerful but subtle emotions.
Akif Hakan is the founder of 'H-Format', a photography production company registered in Hong Kong. He also started an artist collaboration movement called 'Romantic Ecchi' to organize events relating to music, films, performance art and contemporary art all blended in together. 'Idolize Strange' is the result of this idea. In addition , under the synonym of 'AKF' as a DJ, he plays minimal techno, micro and deep house tunes in his spare time.
" Home away from home. I travel around the world and encounter different personalities as I photograph them in their homes,in the places I stay or out on the streets. Every person has a different story and character. Sometimes people ask me if they are good enough to be a model, in my opinion everyone can be if they are not afraid to reveal themselves, their desires, fears or emotions. Being photographed is a courageous act, and the best photographs usually comes from the unexpected. " -- Akif Hakan
Solo exhibitions:
'Fashion Is Image' - Istanbul Fashion Academy , Istanbul/Turkey ( 2009 )
' #ilivefashion' - OIC Concept Gallery , Hong Kong ( 2013 )
'Melodrama Of Mood' - Farm Cultural Park Gallery, Sicily , Italy ( 2014 )
'Everyday is a Wingla day' - Photometria Festival/ Technohoros Gallery, Greece (2016)
'Pop Asiatique' - FotoIstanbul International Photography Festival , Istanbul/Turkey (2016)
Group Exhibitions:
Gallery Jacob Paulett, Paris ( 2010 )
Echo Project - Beijing, China ( 2015 )
Hong Kong Contemporary Photography Exhibition , JCCAC Lumenvisum Gallery ( 2016 )
Some clients and publications : Taschen , European Photography Magazine , SCMP ( Hong Kong ) ,CNN Arts, Fendi, Aesthetica Magazine, Asbo Magazine ( UK ), Harper's Bazaar ( Turkey ) , Vision Magazine ( China ) , 1626 Magazine ( China ) , Hong Kong Tatler , Numero ( China ) , Vice Magazine ( US Edition ), Tory Burch , Shanghai Tang , Asia's Next Top Model , Dash Magazine ( UK ) , Revolution Magazine ( Hong Kong ) , City Magazine ( Hong Kong ) , The Opera Magazine , Men's Uno Magazine ( Hong Kong ), Fluffer Magazine, Slanted Magazine, Bite Me Magazine , H Magazine (Hong Kong ) , HKTDC Magazine ( Hong Kong ) , Miramall / Redworks ( Hong Kong ) , Malardalen University / Karnhuset ( Sweden ) , GQ ( Turkey) , La Repubblica ( Italy ) , Trendsetter (Turkey ) , Jimon Magazine , Schon Magazine ( UK ) , Arena Magazine ( Turkey ), Eve Magazine ( Turkey ) , Elele Magazine ( Turkey ) , Pinar Eris ( Fashion Designer ), Quintessentially Asia Magazine, Simon & Schuster / Free Press, Max Magazine ( Ukraine ), Antipasto Magazine , Style-tips.com, Stern.de ( Germany ), Soul Magazine ( Greece ), C International Photo Magazine ( UK ), Wiener Magazine ( Austria ), Fotografos Magazine ( Greece ) , Fotograf Magazine ( Turkey ), Idea Photos Magazine ( China ), Photo World Magazine ( Turkey ), Photographer's Companion Magazine ( China ), Digital Camera Polska Magazine ( Poland ), L.A Weekly, ( USA ), FashionTV Magazine, GM Canada, L'Oreal France , Ulker/Representer ( Turkey), Hong Kong Jockey Club, Facesss, whoareinvited.com ( Hong Kong ), chit-chak.com ( Hong Kong ), Milk X Magazine ( Hong Kong )