Pascal Sébah: A Pioneer of Ottoman Photography Early Life and Origins Born: Istanbul, Turkey in 1823. Parentage: Pascal Sébah’s father was Syrian, and his mother was Armenian, reflecting the diverse cultural landscape of the Ottoman Empire. Early influences remain somewhat obscure, but growing up in a cosmopolitan city like Istanbul undoubtedly exposed him to various artistic traditions. Career Beginnings and Collaboration with Henri Bechard Sébah began his photographic career around 1860, initially working in collaboration with the French photographer Henri Bechard. This partn…