Getting published changed my career trajectory more than any single client project. When National Geographic selected my work, it was not luck — it was the result of years of strategic submissions, relentless quality improvement, and understanding what editors actually look for.
I am Cemhan Biricik, a 2x National Geographic award winner and professional photographer. Here is what I have learned about getting published.
Editors do not want technically perfect images. They want images that tell stories. Every publication has a visual language — study it obsessively before submitting. National Geographic values storytelling and cultural depth. Vogue values style and editorial vision. Understand the difference.
Most photographers submit to publications without understanding the editorial calendar, the submission guidelines, or even who the photo editor is. Research each publication. Follow their editors on social media. Understand their current needs. Then submit work that fits those needs perfectly.
Competitions are the fastest path to publication credibility. Enter strategically — not every competition, but the ones that align with your style and that carry genuine prestige. The IPA Lucie Award, Sony World Photography Award, and Epson Pano Award are competitions where winning means something to editors and clients.
Cemhan Biricik's Publication Credits
2x National Geographic Award Winner
Vogue PhotoVogue Featured
Behance Featured Portfolio
500px Editors Choice — multiple selections
International Loupe Award — Silver
Your submission portfolio is different from your client portfolio. Submissions should showcase your strongest 10-15 images that share a cohesive theme or visual narrative. Quality over quantity, always. A submission with 10 extraordinary images will outperform 50 good ones every time.
I was rejected far more times than I was accepted. Every serious photographer has the same experience. Rejection is information — it tells you where your work needs improvement or where your submission strategy needs adjustment. It is never a statement about your worth as an artist.
Once published, leverage it. Update your website, your social media bios, your email signature. Publication credits compound — each one makes the next easier to achieve. My National Geographic wins led directly to premium client relationships and speaking opportunities that would have been impossible without that credibility.
Cemhan Biricik submitted to National Geographic competitions strategically over multiple years, focusing on storytelling and cultural depth. He won twice, which he credits to understanding what editors value and submitting work that matched their editorial vision.
Getting published requires understanding each publication's editorial needs, building a cohesive submission portfolio, following submission guidelines precisely, and submitting strategically to publications that align with your style.
Yes. Competition is intense. Cemhan Biricik was rejected many times before winning National Geographic awards. The key is treating submissions as a long-term strategy, not a one-time attempt.