Women Who Turn Moments Into Movements: Izel Büyükkayaoğlu and the Courage to Be Yourself
“Like every other woman, I am always alarmed. Always aware of my surroundings. Keeping my distance in public. Getting drinks in closed bottles.
Not all voices take over the room from the first cry. Some voices are shaped slowly.
Through questions. Through contradictions. Through moments where the world tells you who you should be, and you quietly decide to figure it out for yourself.
Today’s Women’s Month feature is a little closer to home.
This time, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our own. She first joined Ever Lasting through our internship program and soon became part of the family, bringing warmth, kindness, and uplifting energy to every project, to every interaction.
A thoughtful observer of the world. A photographer of everyday moments. A person who is not afraid to question things out loud.
Meet Izel Büyükkayaoğlu.
Growing Up in a City of Many Voices
Izel was born and raised in İstanbul, a city where cultures, opinions, and perspectives all somehow manage to exist side by side.
“Istanbul has a lot of variety of people,” she says. “All kinds of cultures and opinions exist.”
Growing up in that environment can feel overwhelming at first, she admits. When you are younger, she elaborates, it often feels like you need to pick a side. A community. A belief. Something that tells you where you belong.
But as time goes on, the questions start to multiply.
“You begin questioning things that surface communities reject talking about,” she reflects. “Then you understand that you should look for answers in different people and in different places.”
That curiosity eventually turns into something else.
“That’s when you become Dora the Explorer of your timeline,” she laughs.
For Izel, finding a space where questions are welcomed changed everything.
“I found a place where I could ask every question in my mind without being judged. I found home with my own people and learned how to survive.”
In that home, she says, womanhood is not seen as a disadvantage.
“Being a woman isn’t unfortunate. It’s a blessing, despite all the hate crimes against women," she softly smile and we all lower our heads to grieve the world we live in for a second.
Person First, Woman Always
At some point, like many women, Izel noticed something shift in how people saw her.
“As I grew older, people started seeing me as a woman before anything else.”
She is proud of being a woman. But she is clear about something important.
“I am proud of being a woman, but I am a person first.”
She laughs when talking about the endless rules society creates around womanhood. Rules about how women should dress. How they should sit. How loudly they should laugh.
“Growing up, they tell you how a woman should sit, what colors you should like,” she says. “Then you take a second… look at who’s telling you all this. Probably a man.”
The idea still makes her laugh.
“Who even takes the time to make rules about a gender? You should get a job at that point!”
Her perspective is simple.
“See me as I am. Not what I have in my body.”
Redefining Beauty on Her Own Terms
Izel’s understanding of beauty did not come easily. Like many people, it took time, reflection, and a difficult chapter to reshape how she saw herself.
“A couple of years ago I was in a toxic relationship,” she shares honestly. “They always compared me to other girls. Their style, how they looked.”
The comparisons slowly began to affect her.
“I really felt like I wasn’t enough. Not beautiful enough to be considered a woman.”
Eventually, something shifted.
“After some time and self-observation, I realized I was doing myself wrong. I was thinking against my own beliefs.”
So she did something simple, but powerful.
“I shook myself hard. Looked in every mirror whenever I had the chance and tried to accept myself.”
And slowly, she did.
“This was my face. I didn’t want to change anything.”
The more she looked, the more she saw something deeper.
“My scars have memories. My eyes have intentions.”
That realization reshaped what beauty meant to her.
“Beauty feels familiar, but it also seems unique,” she says. “Beauty is everywhere. We just need to notice.”
The Art of Noticing Ordinary Moments
When it comes to her photography, Izel gravitates toward something many people overlook.
The everyday.
Casual moments. Ordinary places. Small details that might otherwise disappear.
“I actually don’t remember when I started taking pictures,” she says, laughing at her own forgetfulness.
But she does remember the feeling behind it.
“This might sound depressing,” she admits, “but I know that when I come back to the same place, it won’t be or feel the same.”
And that realization is what drives her to document things.
“I think the idea is preservation.”
Not just of places.
“Memories. Emotions. Conversations. Even scents.”
Her camera becomes a way of holding onto things that would otherwise slip away.
A Creative Identity Built From Quirks
Outside photography, Izel draws inspiration from places that feel playful, expressive, and slightly unconventional.
Tattooing, for example, has always been part of her life.
“Even in middle school I used to draw on my friends’ arms and hands,” she says.
Music also shapes her creative mood. The song Imagination by Foster the People carries a simple message for her.
“It reminds me that it’s summer somewhere.”
And then there is The Addams Family.
“It’s full of quirks and love,” she says. “We need all of that in our lives.”
That combination of curiosity, humor, and individuality quietly shapes how she sees the world.
Becoming Someone New
Joining the Ever Lasting internship program became an important step in Izel’s creative journey. For her, it was more than just work experience. It was a space where she felt welcomed, supported, and seen.
“It was such a welcoming and safe space,” she says.
What stood out to her most was the way people treated one another.
“They saw me as a person first, then an employee.”
For someone who values honesty, curiosity, and the freedom to ask questions, that kind of environment mattered deeply. It allowed her to settle in, take her time, and grow naturally.
“I’m enjoying the ride,” she says. “Taking my time to learn new things and hoping to build strong relationships.”
When we ask her what comes next, she pauses for a moment.
Who is Izel?
“That is one of the questions I ask myself every other month,” she says.
The answer, she explains, is always changing. And she has learned to appreciate that.
“And I think that is the best part about it.”
Last month, she says, she felt like a shadow. An observer. Someone watching the world quietly.
“This month I am somebody,” she says softly. “To someone. To my lovers.”
And next month?
“Well,” she smiles, “who knows what I will be next month?”
Perhaps that is the most honest answer of all.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing a person can do is allow themselves to keep becoming.
Izel reflects on growing up in İstanbul and how it shaped her identity, curiosity, and perspective as a woman.
Her photography focuses on preserving everyday moments, emotions, and memories that might otherwise disappear.
Through honest storytelling, she explores beauty, individuality, and the ongoing process of becoming who we are.
Check Out More Stories Featuring Creative Women Here
FAQ
Why does Izel focus on photographing everyday moments?
For Izel, everyday moments hold emotions and memories that can easily disappear with time. Photography allows her to preserve those small details, the conversations, places, and feelings that may never feel exactly the same again. By documenting the ordinary, she turns fleeting experiences into lasting memories.
How can I collaborate with Ever Lasting or share my story?
EverInspired is always open to discovering creatives whose work aligns with our values of thoughtful design, storytelling, and meaning. If you are a designer, illustrator, or creative and feel your journey resonates, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out to Ever Lasting through our website or social channels to start the conversation.
Our email: collabs.everlastingfabrics@gmail.com
What can creatives take away from Izel’s journey?
Izel’s story reminds us that creativity often begins with curiosity and honesty. By observing everyday moments and questioning the world around her, she shows that meaningful work can grow from simply paying attention and staying true to your perspective.
Anything We Missed?
Thanks for reading till the end — we hope it brought a little calm and inspiration to your day.
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