David Chipperfield in Athens - Portrait Photography for Kathimerini Cover
For my latest editorial assignment, I had the opportunity to photograph David Chipperfield, the internationally acclaimed British architect and founder of David Chipperfield Architects, for the cover of Kathimerini.
The portrait was created in Athens in connection with Chipperfield’s work on the major extension and refurbishment of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. His architectural practice was selected following an international competition to lead the transformation of the museum, a project that aims to expand its exhibition spaces while establishing a new relationship between the historic building, its surrounding public space and the city.
A portrait connected to Athens
From the beginning, I wanted the image to communicate more than a conventional corporate portrait of an architect. The background was therefore an essential part of the photograph.
The monumental presence of the Acropolis creates a direct connection between David Chipperfield and the architectural and cultural history of Athens. It creates a visual dialogue between classical Greek architecture and the contemporary architectural vision he is bringing to the National Archaeological Museum. Working on Kathimerini cover requires a different approach from a traditional business or corporate portrait. The image has to work immediately, often at a glance, while also leaving enough visual space and character for the editorial story surrounding it.
As a portrait photographer in Athens, I am particularly interested in creating portraits that are connected to their environment rather than simply placing a subject in front of a neutral background. In this case, Athens itself became an important element of the photograph. The resulting image was used by Kathimerini in connection with the interview by journalist Dimitris Rigopoulos, titled “David Chipperfield: I envy the chaos of Athens.” The article explores Chipperfield’s views on Athens, architecture, public space and the future of the National Archaeological Museum. My photograph appears as the main portrait accompanying the story.
The international architectural significance of the project made the assignment particularly rewarding. But beyond the name of the architect or the scale of the museum project, what interested me most was the opportunity to create a portrait that could belong specifically to Athens.
From corporate photography to visual storytelling
Although the assignment falls within the broader field of business and corporate photography, editorial portraiture requires a different kind of thinking. The objective is not simply to create a flattering representation of the subject. It is to communicate a story through composition, location, light and context.
In this case, the Acropolis became more than a background. It became part of the narrative.
