Meet Fadil Inceoglu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fadil Inceoglu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Fadil, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence and self-esteem are not traits I stumbled upon. They are the result of years spent learning to live true to myself—rationally and with a deep embrace of my individuality. Like many, I struggled to find the foundation of what made me feel confident. I discovered, through trial and error, that my worth does not rest in others’ approval or validation. Instead, it comes from within: from identifying my values, staying true to them, and working tirelessly to achieve my goals. Guided by reason and a sense of purpose, I built the confidence and self-esteem that now shape both my art and my life.

Every photograph I take is deeply personal. It reflects my perspective and my emotional response to the world around me. I find joy in the process of creating: the decision to press the shutter, the way I compose an image, and the choice to share it exactly as I envisioned it. I also hold myself accountable: Does this capture the essence of what I see, feel, and value? Self-evaluation is not a form of harsh criticism but an act of self-respect. It’s about honoring my commitment to create with integrity and clarity. By holding myself to a high standard of excellence, I push myself to grow, refine my abilities, and strengthen my confidence.

Confidence grows through action and trust. It comes when you know you’ve earned it—by working, creating, and staying true to yourself. Self-esteem follows when you understand that your happiness and fulfillment are your ultimate goals. This philosophy shapes not just my art, but my life. Each photograph I create reflects a commitment to truth, beauty, my vision and my emotions. Through this commitment, I build trust in myself.

If I were to offer one piece of advice, it’s this: Reject self-doubt that is rooted in others’ expectations. Define your own standards of success, pursue them honestly and rationally. Take pride in your achievements and in the life you are building. Confidence and self-esteem are not gifts—they are rewards for the effort you invest in living a purposeful life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a Turkish-born artist and scientist based in Miami Beach living with my husband and our two relentlessly cute dogs. I am dedicated to photography, mostly black and white, that captures urban life and the interactions of people with and within their environments. My work is a reflection of my emotional perception and reaction to the world around me, shaped by the experiences that have defined my journey.

What makes photography special to me is its ability to tell authentic stories through a single frame. Each photograph I take is an effort to document the raw, unfiltered essence of a moment—a gesture, a glance, a flowing dress caught in the wind that stirs a memory, or the way a scene unfolds naturally. For me, photography is a deeply personal craft, allowing me to connect with the world and express my perspective through visual storytelling.

My work has been featured in exhibitions like Miami Art Week photoMiami 2024, “the Y/OUR DENVER 2024 Photo Competition: Denver Through Time online exhibition” with the Denver Architecture Foundation and the Colorado Photographic Arts Center, and in publications such as From Whispers to Roars, a Colorado based arts and literary magazine. These opportunities have allowed me to share my photography with a wider audience, build a stronger portfolio, and invite viewers to see the world through a thoughtful and intentional lens.

To explore more of my work, you can follow me on Instagram or visit my portfolio, where I offer limited-edition prints of my photography.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three main qualities that have been most impactful in my journey: curiosity, resilience, and individualism.

Curiosity has been the spark for everything I do for as long as I can remember. It drives me to question, explore, and connect with the world—whether through science or art. To keep my curiosity alive, I focus on what genuinely interests me, setting aside the fear of judgment from others. Curiosity is the foundation of discovery and personal growth for me, and it has been key to building my confidence and sense of self.

Resilience has been an essential quality in my life for overcoming challenges and transforming adversity into opportunities. Life is never a smooth sail, but resilience comes from facing difficulties head-on and learning from them. For those starting out, see criticism and failure as tools for growth rather than obstacles. They reveal areas where you can improve, helping you evolve.

Individualism has been the core of my artistic and personal philosophy. It means trusting your judgment, embracing your values, and creating work that feels authentic to you. However, individualism doesn’t mean ignoring critique—it means being your own most honest critic. To grow, evaluate your work with clarity and integrity. Ask yourself: Does this reflect my vision and values? Use feedback to refine, but let your voice remain distinct and true to who you are.

For anyone beginning their journey, I’d encourage you to focus on what makes you unique. Seek inspiration, but don’t let it overshadow your individuality. Learn to balance openness to growth with unwavering commitment to your core values. In doing so, you’ll not only create meaningful work but also build a life that is authentically yours.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

I do not think I can narrow it down to one book. Some of the first books I remember leaving an impression on me were Kashtanka by Anton Chekhov, White Fang by Jack London, and My Sweet Orange Tree by José Mauro de Vasconcelos. My father gave them to me during my early teens, and while I didn’t fully grasp their deeper themes at the time, I enjoyed their stories and the worlds they opened up. Looking back, these books subtly shaped my early curiosity about life, resilience, and human connection.

Over the years, in addition to the books on various scientific topics, such as genetics, astrophysics, and cosmology, I’ve explored psychology, sociology, and philosophy, with books like When Nietzsche Wept by Irvin D. Yalom and Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, which inspired me to think critically and remain curious.

The most profound shift in my worldview came when I encountered Ayn Rand’s works recently, particularly Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology and The Fountainhead. These books challenged my earlier focus on societal expectations, introducing me to the philosophy of rational individualism. They helped me understand the importance of living by my own rational values and pursuing personal fulfillment as a moral purpose. Currently, I’m reading Atlas Shrugged, which continues to deepen my understanding of these ideas.

Each of these books has played a part in my journey, from the stories my father gave me as a teenager to the philosophical works that shaped my adult perspective, guiding me toward a life built on reason, curiosity, and individuality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fdl-photography.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fdl_inc_photo/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/fadil-inceoglu
• Twitter: https://x.com/fdl_inc_photo

Image Credits

Fadil Inceoglu