He was born in Uskudar, Istanbul. He went to high school at Istanbul Denizcilik ve Su Urunleri high school, majoring in electronics. Getting into Yıldız Teknik University’s “M.Y.O Photography Program”, he took his childhood hobby to a professional level. He worked at the Dormen Theather as an effector, and also designed the lighting arrangements of the play “Açık Denizde”, directed by Mustafa Avkıran. During his university education, he worked on different projects with photographers such as Armagan Tekdoner, Mustafa Sorsay, Mustafa Kocabasi and Caroline Erel, gaining new and insightful experiences.
After working at Fon Agency as a photographer, he went to Saudi Arabia to work as an industry diver, staying there for a year. Upon his returning to Turkey, he worked with 1 Numara-Hearst Publishing, taking photos for a number of magazines ranging in topics such as life style, food, decoration and fashion. Eventually he created “M. Serdar Samlı Photography”, and participated in many art projects. He taught classed at Sabancı University about Studio Photography for 6 years. Samlı designs and constructs most of his visual arts projects on his own, and even helps chefs put together a proper presentation of a dish for food photoshoots. He is currently working at his own studio on projects about designer products, food, decoration, architecture and travelling, in partnership with a number of magazines and companies.
Magazines:
Aktüel
Vizyon
Home Art
House Beautiful
M Domus
Amman
Picus
Car
Country Homes
Art Decor
Elle Decor
Instyle
Instyle Home
Eve
Icon
La Cucina Italiana
Lezzet
Leziz
Bouquet
Forbess
Sky Life
Jet Life
Travel and Leisure
Time Out
Books:
Evde pişen ekmek – Yeşim Çınar
Lezzetin inanılmaz hafifliği – Taylan Kümeli/Elif Ezgi Uzmansel
Tuncel Kurtiz Bölük Pörçük (kapak ve arka kapak)
Bir daha yüzümü görmeyeceksin – Seda Özay
Bir Aşk Hikayesi – Günseli Kato
Companies:
Sütaş
Tefal
Gaiagino
Armaggan
Maybe Design
Büyülübağ
Vinkara
Divan
Darcan Darcan Mimarlık
Istanbul Modern
Nakkaş Halı
Argos Otel
Hafele
Vitra
Has Mimarlık
Yapı Endüstri Merkezi
Id-Istanbul
Türk Eğitim Vakfı
Tat
Sek
Maret
Pastavilla