Burhan Ozbilici

Burhan Özbilici is a Turkish photojournalist. In 2017 he won World Press Photo of the Year for his image of the assassination of Andrei Karlov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey.

Life and work
Burhan received a comprehensive classical high school education across various cities in Turkey. His educational journey led him to pursue French studies at an institute in Ankara, where he delved into the intricacies of the language. Later, he further honed his skills by studying media journalism in French. Concurrently, he undertook an exploration of French literature and history at the same institute while simultaneously working as an editor for a group that published a wide range of literary works, novels, as well as weekly and monthly magazines.

In the pursuit of his passion for journalism, Burhan embarked on a career as a reporter for multiple Turkish newspapers, including the prestigious Turkish Daily News, which catered specifically to an English-speaking audience. His dedication and expertise garnered attention, leading him to join The Associated Press (AP) as a full-time photo stringer in 1989. This pivotal role allowed him to contribute significantly to the field of photojournalism, capturing and documenting important events with utmost precision and professionalism.

Awards

 * 2017: Winner, World Press Photo of the Year, World Press Photo, Amsterdam for his image of the assassination of Andrei Karlov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey.
 * 2017: First prize, Spot News, Stories category, World Press Photo, Amsterdam