Born in 1977 in Erzincan, Türkiye, Cem Özdel began his journalism career at Milliyet in 1999 before joining Anadolu Agency in 2001. As a photojournalist, he covered major events in Türkiye and abroad, capturing the human tragedy in Darfur and the harsh conditions of miners in Zonguldak—earning recognition in Türkiye and Spain.

His work from the Syrian war in Aleppo was widely published, and during his tenure at Anadolu Agency's New York office (2012–2016), his photographs appeared in TIME, The New York Times, The Guardian, and other major outlets. He also covered the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and NBA Finals.

From 2016 to 2023, Özdel served as the official photographer for Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. With experience in over 100 countries, he has received 28 national and 2 international awards. He holds a permanent press card, CMAS 2-star diving badge, P4 paragliding pilot license, and IHA 2 drone license.