Hellenic Naval Academy for Kappa Magazine
I was commissioned for a photojournalistic cover story for Kappa Magazine of Kathimerini, with the privilege to spend a day at the Hellenic Naval Academy in Piraeus, Greece, capturing intimate portraits of cadets training to become officers in the Hellenic Navy. In this exclusive photo journey, the academy emerges as a powerful intersection between Athens, navy discipline, and the youthful spirit of Greece. As the article notes, you can spot “nineteen‑year‑old freshmen laughing and letting a childish carefree spirit show” . In the brief pauses between drills and lessons, these moments reveal the human side of life at the academy.
Operating for 180 years, the academy is truly “the nursery of officers for our Navy” kathimerini.gr. Here, cadets follow a strictly timed schedule—morning drills, academic lessons, athletic breaks, and at-sea training aboard vessels like the General Support Ship Prometheus. According to the article: “cadets face real conditions at sea and are called to solve problems as they happen, under supervision” . As a portrait photographer, capturing these cadets in action meant finding the balance between formality and spontaneity. My goal was to frame them not only as disciplined officers-in-training, but as young adults with dreams, humor, and resilience. From their naval uniforms to their shared laughter, every shot expresses a unique story.
Words by Vasilis Nedos
Photo editor: Ioanna Chronopoulou
