Desislava Şenay Martinova was born in Bulgaria in 1987. After studying journalism at Aydın Doğan Communication High School, she pursued her education at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. She has produced news and photographs for institutions such as Radikal, Milliyet, Bianet, and The Guardian. She has worked with various organizations both in Turkey and abroad, including Istanbul Modern, Fotoİstanbul, Photokina, Studio Vortex, and the Rencontres d’Arles. Her work has been exhibited there and along, she has won awards, and she has spoken and shared her insights around.

Throughout her career, she has ventured into various geographies—whether as a staff member, guest, or as a rogue observer—bearing witness, teaching, and accumulating habits and titles along the way.

These days, she continues her journey where started with a backpack, tracing her chosen path along the Dutch coast.