Kerim Okten studied fine-art photography at Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, in Istanbul, Turkey. He has worked as a photojournalist for the past 20 years, including three years as chief photographer of the UK and Ireland region for European Pressphoto Agency.
Prior to joining EPA, Okten worked freelance for national newspapers, magazines and agencies, covering news and sports assignments around the world, including the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, the earthquake in Iran in 2003, the Olympic Games, and track and field world and European championships. From 2004 to 2008, he was the EPA’s permanent photographer for Formula One coverage.
Okten’s photos have appeared worldwide, in such publications as Time, Newsweek, L’Express (for which his picture of Turkish prime minister Erdogan’s first electoral win made the cover), The Guardian, The New York Times, Le Figaro, National Geographic, Sport Illustrated, and Der Spiegel, among others. His photo of the 2011 London riots appeared on the cover of all editions of that week’s Time. His accolades include photos in the 2012 best pictures of the year special edition of Newsweek, and in Time’s best sport pictures of the year selection in 2012.
Kerim Okten, 42, died on 10 April when his motorbike was hit by lighting.
