Photo of the Week: Ammar Alammari

In Ankara, Turkey, street photographer Ammar Alammari spent two days with a woman who works as a therapist and lives with her son in a home inspired by Studio Ghibli. During his stay, he caught a glimpse into her life beyond the home’s distinctive setting, with their time together eventually giving rise to a photograph that would come to hold particular significance for him.

Working primarily in high-contrast black and white, Alammari focuses on raw human emotion, light and atmosphere, using photography to capture the unfiltered essence of fleeting moments. The photograph brings together many of the things that draw him to photography: the emotions people carry, the moments in which they let go, and the stories that emerge when they feel comfortable enough to be themselves.

Where and when was this image taken?

This photograph was taken on September 7th, 2025, during my visit to Ankara, Turkey. I spent two days with a woman who works as a therapist and lives alone with her son in a home that is genuinely inspired by Studio Ghibli.

Why did you choose this particular image?

During the short time I spent with her, she shared her life story with me, touching on loss, solitude and emotional release. Her warmth, kindness and gentle way of speaking left a lasting impression on me, and seeing her let go and become completely immersed in the music was a moment that stayed with me. To me, the image captures the weight of her story, the beauty of letting go and pure, unfiltered emotion. If I had to summarise all the photos I've ever taken into a single frame, it would be this one.