Aytül Akbaş has come first in the National Geographic Photo Contest 2014's Turkey final with her photo "Fırtınalar" (The Storms) taken in Kocaeli's Gölcük district. She received an honorable mention award in the 'Places' category. Akbaş has been taking amateur photos for the last five years and said her interest in photography stems from her mother. "My mother used to take photoraphs and sell them during her high school years. I took my awarded photograph on a rainy day when I went to the seaside with my nephews. A storm came and while my 14-year old nephew Berkay was walking toward me, his umbrella turned inside out and I caught this beautiful moment," she said. "I was very happy when I heard the news. I want to become a professional photographer and take courses in this field," she continued. Married with two children, Akbaş is living in the Değirmendere neighborhood and is a survivor with her family from the 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake, which took the lives of 12 people in her apartment. She said her family is proud of her success.