What is the best thing that I love about my work?
For me, work has never been about a single, static title; it is an evolving journey of exploring what it truly means to be human. Throughout my ten years in aviation and now behind the lens of my camera at Ella Photography, what I love most is how these paths allowed me to fully inhabit the present moment before the initial spark of passion could ever fade. Being a flight attendant kept me in constant motion, keeping my spirit dynamic, alive, and always open to discovering new horizons and human stories.
Photography, on the other hand, became my way of freezing those fleeting moments of love, joy, and raw human emotion that make life worth living, bringing me closer to the essence of humanity. Meanwhile, astrology stepped in as a profound, mathematical compass that anchors my understanding of this divine order, transforming my deepest analysis of life into structural wisdom. When I feel alienated from myself or lost in the dark, suffocating moments of existence, astrology acts as a map that explains why I am passing through that specific initiation. It provides the ultimate comfort by showing me that no pain is chaotic or in vain, allowing me to navigate my dark nights of the soul with grace and a renewed sense of purpose.
What is my idea of happiness?
For me, happiness is not a static destination or a single source; it is a fluid state that evolves alongside the cycles of life. The things that brought joy to the Meltem of fifteen years ago are entirely different from what resonates with me today, and surely, the Meltem of the future will find meaning in completely different things. As a 35-year-old woman who has walked through various lifetimes—from being a civil servant in the sky to capturing raw souls behind the camera—I believe true happiness can only sit on solid ground when a person commits to knowing themselves. It means having the courage to look into your own depth and embrace both your light and your darkness, your shadow and your ego, just as Carl Jung described. When we accept our dark, uncomfortable truths, we realize that life itself isn’t inherently hard; we are the ones who create the suffering within our own minds. All the titles we hold, the external successes we achieve, and the things we possess are temporary garments we will eventually leave behind on this heroine’s journey. Ultimately, happiness is stripping away those societal expectations to embark on a return to the true self, recognizing that the greatest value of any external achievement is simply that it served as a stepping stone to help us find our way back home.
What is my greatest fear?
My greatest fear is meaninglessness—the terrifying prospect of living a life stripped of ultimate purpose and depth. Given that every individual is entirely unique and on a singular path, I believe the human soul deeply suffocates in an existential void where actions hold no inner value. This deep-seated fear is precisely why my drive for meaning is so intense; I have a profound, innate need to infuse every corner of my existence with significance. For me, even the simple act of drinking a cup of coffee or performing a mundane daily task must hold a sacred place within my heart and life story. Of course, these are highly abstract, spiritual concepts that feed the soul, whereas real life can often be brutal, material, and filled with events that defy logical explanation. Yet, it is exactly in those chaotic moments that the dread of meaninglessness creeps in, demanding a framework to understand why we suffer. For me, discovering astrology became the ultimate tool to fill those empty spaces, grounding my existential anxieties by mapping out my soul’s intent. It lightened the weight of my fears by transforming arbitrary pain into structural growth, proving that even in the darkest void, there is a beautiful, cosmic blueprint guiding my unique journey.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
The trait I most deplore in myself is my exhausting obsession with over-intellectualizing and my compulsive need to find a profound reason behind every single event. I deeply crave depth in everything I experience, which mentally drains me because I simply cannot let things exist without forcing a higher meaning onto them. This tendency is closely tied to a rigid perfectionism and an innate, almost spiritual urge to do everything ‘absolutely right’ from the very start. Consequently, I often get trapped in hyper-focusing on minuscule details, which temporarily blinds me from seeing the grand, beautiful picture of life.
This intense overthinking and paralysis by analysis often acts as a heavy anchor, severely restricting my creative freedom and blocking my artistic flow. By focusing so heavily on the granular elements, I construct mental barriers that prevent me from just leaning back and surrendering to the natural current of the present moment. It is a constant inner battle between my desire for absolute perfection and my soul’s need to simply be and flow.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
As a visual storyteller and photographer, I deeply admire contemporary image-makers who manage to capture the psychological depths of their subjects rather than just a technically perfect frame. I am drawn to artists who treat photography as an extension of the soul, much like a mirror reflecting the collective unconscious. In the realm of screenwriting and cinematic storytelling, I admire creators who are brave enough to write complex, multi-dimensional female protagonists who go through authentic transformations rather than archetypal cliches. Anyone who can look into the mirror of their own shadow and turn that heavy, psychological confrontation into a work of art or film has my ultimate respect.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
What I dislike the most is the rigid, bureaucratic side of the creative industry that tries to reduce art to mere commercial spreadsheets. In photography, it is the rare moments when clients demand artificial perfection, asking to strip away the genuine lines and authentic expressions that actually make a face beautiful. In screenwriting, it is the frustrating phase of dealing with industry standard formatting constraints or box-checking demands that sometimes stifle the organic flow of a character’s voice. Whenever the pressure of external approval eclipses the pure joy of the raw creation process, my work temporarily loses its oxygen, forcing me to step back and realign with my core purpose.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I was incredibly happy when my visual work received international recognition and was featured on a major global photography platform. It was a beautiful validation that my perspective could bridge cultural borders and touch souls far beyond my own country. Another profound moment of happiness happens whenever I am deep in the zone of creating—specifically while crafting the universe of my series project, Kabinde. Sitting at my desk in İzmit, watching characters come alive on the page and hearing their voices clearly in my mind, brings me an unparalleled sense of alignment and joy.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
If I could, I would grant myself the grace of patience and the ability to silence my loud inner critic. I want to learn how to transition between projects without feeling the heavy anxiety of needing every single step to be fully figured out beforehand. I would change the way I overcomplicate simple phases of life, allowing myself to trust the natural, organic timing of the universe instead of trying to micro-manage my path through sheer willpower. Ultimately, I want to fully master the art of relaxed surrender, realizing that the story writes itself beautifully when the storyteller finally stops gripping the pen too tightly.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
My greatest achievement is my psychological resilience and my unwavering commitment to personal autonomy. A monumental milestone in this journey was receiving international recognition on a prestigious global photography platform, where my work competed against participants from numerous countries and was awarded top honors representing Turkey. Building Ella Photography from scratch and carving out my own independent space as a female entrepreneur after a decade-long career in a completely different industry is something I take immense pride in. Furthermore, translating my unique aviation experiences into a compelling, professional script format for Kabinde feels like another extraordinary creative victory. Transitioning from a life of executing external orders to a life where I am the sole architect of my own business and narratives is what I consider my ultimate professional triumph.”
Where would I most like to live?
While I deeply cherish the quiet comfort, familiar streets, and local inspiration I find in my current neighborhood of Yahyakaptan in İzmit, I am also drawn to places that carry a heavy mystical and historical weight. I would love to live in a city where ancient architecture meets modern artistic expression, a place where the collective memory of humanity is written into the stones of the streets. Somewhere surrounded by nature yet rich in library archives, art galleries, and diverse cultures would be ideal. Ultimately, as an observer of stars and human nature, I can make a home anywhere as long as I have a clear view of the night sky and the freedom to create.
What is my most treasured possession?
My most treasured material possessions are my Sony A7 IV camera and my creative journals, which hold the raw blueprints of my thoughts, dreams, and scripts. My camera acts as a physical extension of my consciousness, allowing me to capture the fleeting magic of human existence. However, my absolute most treasured non-material possession is my profound sense of financial and emotional independence. The personal autonomy I have fought hard to secure is the sacred foundation that allows me to make choices, run my studio, and live my life strictly on my own terms.
What is my most marked characteristic?
My most marked characteristic is my unyielding depth and my innate ability to read between the lines of human behavior. People often notice that I don’t look at things superficially; whether I am capturing a portrait, analyzing a chart, or drafting a scene, I am always seeking the hidden undercurrents and psychological truths. This makes me a highly intuitive and empathetic observer, though it also means I possess a sharp, uncompromising intensity when it comes to authenticity. I cannot tolerate superficial masks, and my dedication to looking at the raw, unfiltered reality of who we are defines how I interact with the world.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
In my city of İzmit, my most inspirational location is the historic Kapanca Street, with its evocative cultural texture and deep historical roots. Walking through those streets always triggers a deep sense of nostalgia and creative spark within me, which is why showcasing my work there felt so meaningful. Additionally, the quiet, reflective corners of the Yahyakaptan neighborhood provide a grounded sanctuary where I can easily retreat into my own mind to process my screenplays and astrological charts. It is a perfect local balance between historical resonance and a peaceful domestic canvas.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
My favorite place is any cozy, warm local café in İzmit that plays soft, atmospheric music and respects the silence of its patrons. I love spots where I can comfortably sit for hours with a hot cup of coffee, completely undisturbed, with my laptop or notebook open to draft scenes for Kabinde. For me, the perfect dining experience isn’t about luxury or pretense; it is entirely about the ambiance, the gentle energy of the space, and whether it allows me to think, observe, and write in absolute peace.
What books influenced my life and how?
The literature that has permanently altered my perception of reality belongs to the field of analytical psychology, specifically the profound works of Carl Jung and his contemporary commentators. Reading books focused on shadow work and the exploration of human archetypes has acted as a mirror during my heaviest personal trials. These texts taught me that the challenges we face in mid-life are actually crucial invitations to meet our hidden shadows and integrate our fragmented pieces. They shifted my perspective from viewing life as a series of random external events to understanding it as a structured, symbolic journey of inner individuation.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
I cannot name just a single song, as my relationship with music is deeply woven into the specific emotional landscape of my life’s journey. On my last day, I would want to listen to music that allows me to look at life from a vast, panoramic perspective—pieces that carry profound lyrics aimed at understanding human existence and our intense search for meaning. I am deeply drawn to songs about love, specifically the raw, transformative power it holds and the hauntingly beautiful art that is born from the scars love leaves behind. These artistic expressions feel incredibly authentic to me because they aren’t forced; they are inevitable, soulful releases poured onto paper when the time is ripe. I don’t confine myself to a specific genre; I love naive, soul-touching melodies that make me feel the natural current of the universe, whether they have lyrics or are purely instrumental. For instance, the evocative piano compositions of Evgeny Grinko have a beautiful way of grounding me, and I spent a long period wrapped in their comfort. Lately, during the most profound chapters of my personal transformation over the last two years, I have been deeply moved by the lyrics of an anonymous Turkish AI artist named Mebrure, whose songs strike a chord in my very soul. Ultimately, I would listen to whatever music brings me closest to my true self in that final moment.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
My fictional heroine is any complex female protagonist who is forced to descend into the underworld of her own psyche, face her absolute worst fears, and emerge reborn on her own terms. I am deeply drawn to characters who do not fit into the stereotypical mold of the flawless, untroubled heroine. Instead, my heroes are the beautifully flawed, fiercely independent women who break free from societal cages, embrace their inner shadows, and rewrite the narrative of their own destinies against all odds.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
In real life, my heroines are the everyday women who refuse to let their voices be silenced or their spirits broken by cultural constraints. I deeply admire female entrepreneurs who bravely claim their financial independence and build their own legacies from the ground up. On a personal level, I am constantly inspired by the creative drive of the younger generation, including my own daughter, whose digital creativity reminds me to keep a playful, uncorrupted artistic spirit alive. Anyone who has hit rock bottom, looked their shadow in the eye, and chosen to rise with grace is a true hero in my eyes.
Which movie or series would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?
For an absolute cinematic recommendation, I highly suggest Requiem for a Dream, a film I watched during my youth that left an indelible mark on my mind due to its raw, visceral exploration of human psychology, addiction, and inner downfalls. In the realm of romance, The Notebook is an absolute masterpiece for me, as it beautifully captures the enduring power of love and the emotional transformations that stay with you forever. When it comes to series, Prison Break remains one of my all-time unforgettable favorites because of its brilliant pacing, high stakes, and complex character survival arcs. While Inception is fantastic for its mind-bending layers, my true narrative passion lies in high-concept fantasy and sci-fi world-building, where the boundaries of reality are boldly reshaped. I am always deeply drawn to stories that feature fierce, complex, and independent heroine archetypes who fight for their sovereignty against all odds. Ultimately, I recommend pieces that don’t just entertain, but force you to confront the deeper, unvarnished layers of the human condition and the strength of the spirit.
What role play stories in my life and work?
Stories are the absolute oxygen of my life and the master key to my creative work. They are definitely not a form of casual entertainment to me; rather, they are the primary medium through which we decode the messy, chaotic experience of being human. In my photography at Ella Photography, a single portrait is never just an image; it is a visual story of a specific chapter in a person’s life. In my screenwriting, stories are the sacred architecture that allows me to take real human suffering, triumph, and aviation memories, and shape them into universal truths that can heal or inspire an audience.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
To me, these words represent the ultimate reclamation of personal sovereignty and the exact moment where chaos transforms into art. This concept instantly brings to mind my original series project, Kabinde, which is the literal manifestation of me becoming the author of my own narrative. My ten years of experience in aviation acted as a profound, uncompromising guide in my journey of self-discovery and meaning. That decade was a dual force: it completely burned me down and dragged me under, yet it also imposed a powerful reality check and a fierce discipline upon my naturally boundary-resistant spirit. It was a monumental, decade-long laboratory for observing the limitless nature of human behavior within highly limited spaces, fundamentally shaping how I understand existence. Out of that intense reality, Kabinde was born organically—not just as a script, but as my way of picking up the pen to consciously translate a decade of survival, structure, and human truth into my own triumphant final act.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My ultimate partner in crime, my greatest shadow trigger, and my deepest companion on this earthly journey is my husband, Erdem. We possess entirely different structures; I have a fiercely innovative nature, an intense hunger for deep meaning, and a restless spirit that despises stability and craves to live life to its absolute fullest. While his more logical and grounded reality can sometimes feel restrictive—leading me to blame him in moments of frustration—he is actually the primary anchor that prevents my creative soul from getting completely lost in the abstract void. Over the years, through every rise and fall, we have relentlessly chosen to rebuild and stay together, turning our friction into a profound alchemy of growth. There is an immense, liberating comfort in the fact that he has known me for so long and holds space for my entire being; he knows all my darkness, my hidden shadows, and every unfiltered version of who I am. He acts simultaneously as the challenging ‘brother’ I constantly clash with and the immovable ally who walks beside me, making him the ultimate witness to my evolution.
Which people or companies would I like to work with?
I would absolutely love to collaborate with visionary global and local networks that are bravely expanding the boundaries of complex drama narratives. My ultimate dream is to partner with major streaming giants like Netflix and Disney Plus to bring my story to a massive, diverse international audience. In the domestic market, I aim to work alongside trailblazing Turkish production companies such as Ay Yapım and OMG Pictures. My goal is to partner with creative producers, showrunners, and development executives who instantly recognize the unique psychological depth and global appeal of my concept. I want to work with teams that value authentic, multi-layered storytelling and are excited to bring fresh, uncharted perspectives to the international screen.
What project am I looking forward to work on?
I am incredibly excited and fully focused on writing and developing my original drama series project titled Cabin. Finding myself sharing this concept on The Heroine’s Journey platform feels like a profound cosmic synchronicity, as the series is a literal manifestation of a soul becoming the hero of her own story. Cabin is a character-driven, existential drama that uses the inner dynamics of a highly curious profession as a grand metaphor for life itself. Just like an aircraft, life is never linear; it is defined by intense takeoffs, steep descents, turbulence, and moments of steady cruise. Through the eyes of a female flight attendant navigating her own existential awakening, the series prompts the audience to ask deep questions about their own existence. It lays bare the unvarnished friction between rigid institutional protocols and raw human nature during intense mid-air crises—exploring how people powerfully unite or completely unravel when trapped under pressure. Ultimately, the ‘cabin’ serves as a microcosm for those suffocating spaces where life corners us and forces us to confront our hidden shadows. It is not a pessimistic story, but a realistic exploration of how our psychological baggage transforms into light. It reflects my core philosophy that life’s beauty lies in its unpredictable nature; if everything were linear and known, the magic of discovery would cease to exist, and the passion to evolve would die.
Where can you see me or my work?
You can view my professional visual portfolio, client sessions, and ongoing creative projects directly through my studio’s official branding channels under Ella Photography. I frequently share my latest visual stories, concepts, and updates regarding my upcoming artistic collaborations on my business social media platforms. For those interested in my deeper narrative work and script concepts, my creative footprint can be tracked through my ongoing pitches within the independent screenwriting community.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
These words mean that true creative passion is a lifelong fire built into your very DNA, not a corporate job that you can simply clock out of at a certain age. Careers can change, titles can be shed, and life circumstances can completely transform, but the inner urge to create, observe, and find meaning never leaves your soul. It is a gentle reminder that my artistic eye and my hunger for storytelling will continue to evolve, adapt, and burn brightly through every single decade of my life, independent of external structures.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Peter should absolutely invite my close friend Melike, an extraordinary heroine who embodies the ultimate psychological warfare of resilience and personal sovereignty. In a challenging, heavily male-dominated industrial landscape like Turkey, she was abandoned as a married mother, yet she refused to play the victim; instead, she bravely claims her financial and emotional independence, raising her child with uncompromised freedom while living exactly on her own terms. Additionally, Peter should invite my former colleagues—the fiercely resilient flight attendants who navigate the grueling physical and psychological turbulence of the aviation industry for years and emerge with profound wisdom. To me, every woman who refuses to become a prisoner of her fears and instead uses her suffering as a precise compass for self-discovery is an untamed story that deserves a global stage. This realization was a heavy initiation for me as well; before the age of 35, I looked at the world through Polyanna glasses, naively deflecting adversity with endless optimism, only to realize I had alienated myself from my true path. True illumination came the exact moment I shattered those illusions, looked into my hidden shadow, and understood that the greatest cosmic discovery is always the radical return to the true self.
How can you contact me?
You can easily reach out to me for professional photography bookings, creative collaborations, or screenplay inquiries through my official business channels. I am always open to connecting with fellow storytellers, producers, and creative souls who share a deep passion for authentic visual and narrative art.
Email: ellacanerphotography@gmail.com
Phone: +905452048940
İnstagram: ellaphotography.kocaeli , meltemcanerr
Linkdln: Meltem Caner
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