Mustafa was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1969. After graduating from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 1995, he worked as a magazine and newspaper photographer and photo editor. In 2000, Mustafa made the transition to freelance photographer. His recent work has been showcased in numerous Turkish publications and others around the world.

The Cuba photo series 'Joy in Havana' was a first place winner in the 2003 International Photo Awards (IPA). Mustafa's first group exhibition was in Istanbul in 1997. Solo exhibitions include 'Momentum, Photographs from Cuba,' at the Sunshine Gallery in New York in 2004, 'Times and Places,' at the Knack Design Studio in San Francisco in 2004, and 'Just in Time,' at the Patisserie Cafe & Gallery in San Francisco in 2005. In 2005 after completing 4 months travel in The South Pasific and Asia, he exhibited "A Change of Scenery" at The Antik Cisterna Gallery in Istanbul in September 2005. Also in Istanbul, he exhibited his photos of the tsunami damage in Kho Phi Phi, Thailand in "Wave!...Before and After" with Banu Alagoz at the Tuyap 2005 International Book and Art Fair. Mustafa is currently traveling, and even he doesn't know where he will find himself next. Hopefully, you will see..