Three Faces, One Vision: Portrait Headshots for Magna Graecia
When I set out to capture the essence of the Magna Graecia team, I knew this was more than just a typical portrait photography. This was an opportunity for a portrait photographer to convey not only the individuality of each team member but also the shared vision and values that unite them as a company.
Tailored Poses, Timeless Aesthetics
Each portrait was carefully crafted to highlight the unique characteristics and roles of the three individuals. Through a thoughtful combination of camera angles, lenses, and lighting contrasts, I brought out their individuality while maintaining a high aesthetic tone.
Black-and-white photography became my canvas—ideal for showcasing the minimal formations of light unique to Greece and emphasizing aesthetic beauty inspired by ancient Greek ideals. This approach not only added depth to the portraits but also aligned perfectly with Magna Graecia’s commitment to precision and luxury.
This session reflects the best of corporate photography, blending visual storytelling with professional representation. The use of black-and-white allowed for a cohesive look, enhancing the headshot photography while maintaining individuality and consistency with Magna Graecia’s brand identity.
Achieving Balance: Individuality and Cohesion
The challenge was to balance the unique traits of each individual with a cohesive visual narrative. By utilizing Greece’s natural light, I enhanced the interplay of light and shadow, creating portraits that stand out on their own while seamlessly blending together as a collective.
The result? Three distinct headshots, three unique stories, and one unified message—a perfect representation of Magna Graecia’s core philosophy: excellence, professionalism, and a passion for delivering unparalleled service.
Magna Graecia: Redefining Excellence
Magna Graecia is not just about real estate; it’s about reshaping the industry through innovation, luxury, and a commitment to craftsmanship. Their mission is to create bespoke, high-end residential properties while setting new standards in construction, engineering, and client service.
From the leadership of Michael J. Mailis, whose expertise spans global luxury real estate and media, to the technical prowess of Nikos Papagiannakopoulos, and the visionary legacy of John M. Mailis, the Magna Graecia team embodies a rich blend of innovation, professionalism, and global insight.
The Story Behind the Faces
- Michael J. Mailis: Founder & CEO, a visionary leader with over two decades of experience in luxury real estate and investments, driven by a passion for blending aesthetic beauty with functional excellence.
- Nikos Papagiannakopoulos: Founding Partner & CTO, a mechanical engineer with unparalleled expertise in bridging technical precision with strategic business insight.
- John M. Mailis: Chairman, a pioneer in aviation and real estate who exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurial leadership and global impact.
Final Thoughts
This corporate photography project was a true collaboration, one that required precision, artistry, and an understanding of Magna Graecia's ethos. Through these portraits, I aimed to tell the visual story of a company that honors the past while building the future—just as they do in every project they undertake.
Behind the Lens: Portraits for 2nd Nature by Pieris Architects
I had the privilege of capturing portraits that accompanied the publication of 2nd Nature, the latest exhibition by Pieris Architects in Athens. This exhibition, dedicated to the architectural works of the Pieris team, explored the theme of nature’s integration into urban spaces. While the portraits themselves were not part of the exhibition, they played a crucial role in bringing the team’s vision to life through the accompanying publications.
The vision for the portraits was to blend elements of the Pieris Architects’ building designs, their team, and nature. This approach was inspired by the exhibition's theme, which explores the relationship between architecture and the natural world. The portraits aimed to visually embody this synergy, combining the precision and formality of architecture with the organic beauty of the natural surroundings. The idea was to create a connection between the people who shape these spaces, the buildings themselves, and the nature that often plays a supporting role in their designs. The photoshoot took place at the Athens Conservatoire, an architectural gem in the heart of the city. The space provided a striking backdrop, with its contemporary design and sleek lines. The contrast between the building's bold architectural features and the surrounding greenery made it the perfect setting for a shoot that sought to combine the built environment with natural elements.
Combining Three Elements
One of the key challenges during the Pieris portrait photoshoot in Athens was combining three distinct elements: the building of the Athens Conservatoire, elements of nature, and a group of three people. Each of these components needed to be integrated in a way that felt harmonious and visually striking. The challenge lay in positioning the team of architects in a way that allowed the building and the natural surroundings to play a supporting yet prominent role in the frame. We had to carefully balance the architecture’s strong presence with the softer, more fluid elements of nature, while also making sure the team was at the forefront of the portrait.
Complementing the Exhibition’s Theme
The portraits complement the 2nd Nature exhibition by visually emphasizing the connection between architecture and nature. The exhibition itself focuses on how Pieris Architects’ designs harmonize with their surroundings, drawing from natural forms and principles. The portraits reflect this ethos by weaving together the human element, the architectural space, and the organic influence of nature. Each photograph tells a story of collaboration—how the architects, the buildings, and the environment work together to create a more thoughtful, sustainable urban experience.
"We're by your side" Bureau Veritas
In a visually compelling ad campaign, Bureau Veritas Paris has chosen the Hellenic shipyards in Athens as the backdrop for their latest project. As a commercial photographer, the opportunity to collaborate on this campaign under the guiding motto "We Are By Your Side" was both exhilarating and inspiring.
The shipyards, a symbol of resilience and industry, provided the perfect setting to emphasize Bureau Veritas' commitment to their clients. The location, steeped in history and industrial grandeur, beautifully complemented the essence of the brand—a leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. The towering cranes, vast docks, and intricate machinery of shipyards offered a dramatic and authentic environment that spoke volumes about the brand’s dedication to quality and reliability.
The photoshoot aimed to capture the essence of partnership and trust that Bureau Veritas embodies. Each shot was meticulously planned to highlight the synergy between the brand and its clients. The imagery showcased professionals from various industries working alongside Bureau Veritas experts, symbolizing the collaborative spirit and assurance the company provides. The use of natural light and the shipyard's textured, industrial backdrop added depth and authenticity to the images, reinforcing the message of steadfast support and partnership.
Throughout the day, the team focused on creating a narrative that was both visually striking and emotionally resonant. The campaign images are designed to convey a sense of unwavering support, capturing moments where Bureau Veritas professionals stand shoulder to shoulder with their clients, ensuring safety, compliance, and excellence.
The "We Are By Your Side" campaign not only highlights Bureau Veritas Paris’ technical expertise but also underscores their role as a trusted ally in the industrial sector. The evocative visuals from the Skaramaga shipyards encapsulate the brand's promise of reliability and dedication, reinforcing their position as a global leader committed to guiding their clients towards success.
Many thanks to Bureau Veritas team from Paris, Nick Brown and Eleni Letoni from Athens for their support. Special Thanks to Panayiotis Andriopoulos for his assist.
Stavros Psilakis
Recently had the pleasure of photographing Stavros Psilakis, an economist and performer who seamlessly blends intellect with artistry. Capturing his dual persona in a single headshot image was a creative challenge—merging the precision of his profession with the expressive depth of his performance.
Dimitris Papanikolaou
Dimitrios Papanikolaou is a Greek professional basketball player and a professional basketball coach. He spent most of his career playing at the shooting guard and small forward positions, although he also played at the power forward position late in his career.
He is the only Greek basketball player who has won the triple crown (Euroleague, championship and cup) twice, with different teams: in 1997 with Olympiakos and in 2007 with Panathinaikos.
Headshot photography portrait for the cover of Dimitris Papanikoalou book with the Title 11:11 ALL UNIQUE, ALL EQUAL.
“Mr. Papanikolaou, we are sorry, we do not accept “these children” in our school.
Mr. Papanikolaou, if you take your daughter from the volleyball team, she will not have a career.
Dimitris, they made fun of her on Tik Tok, calling her autistic.
Dimitri, again turned speechless and sad.
Dimitris, the other children went for a walk and told her that they would not go out so as not to take her with them. Don’t find out she was lied to.
One night my cell phone lit up for a notification. The time was 11:11, a number my wife and I saw almost every day, on the phone, on receipts, on signs, on license plates, etc., from Aria’s diagnosis onward.
This time I would pay more attention to them. What do you want to tell me and you keep appearing in front of me? I screenshotted them. I focused on the numbers on the screen. Taking one off changed the total, each number was unique. Then I zoomed in. All numbers were equal. In height, in thickness. “All unique, all equal. All unique, all equal!” I exclaimed.
I’m not winning anymore with complaints and individual battles, I’m shrinking. I will gain by creating and spreading light. I will activate the good guys who are outnumbered, and the “bad guys” will retreat.
But I still have a serious problem to solve. My wife won’t let me talk publicly about the child because she’s afraid it will be stigmatized. That’s okay, I have all the stuff from sports and I know how good teams and their leaders work. I will take responsibility, put myself forward and speak for myself”.
Thomas Skouteris
Headshot portrait photography for the international law professor Thomas Skouteris . When it comes to academics, we often think of professors as serious and aloof individuals buried in books and research. But every now and then, a professor comes along who defies those stereotypes, combining a sharp intellectual curiosity with a genuinely warm and approachable personality.
Overall Thomas Skouteris is a brilliant mind and a joyful fellow.
Thomas Skouteris is a Greek/Dutch jurist specialized in international law and related fields. He is an associate professor (tenured) at the Department of Law and director of the Ibrahim Shihata Memorial LLM Program in International and Comparative Law. Before joining AUC in 2008, Skouteris taught at Leiden University (2000-2008) and the Central European University (2013-2014) and worked as a research fellow at the T.M.C. Asser Institute in the Hague. He was also a senior fellow at the European Law Research Centre at Harvard Law School.
Delta Restaurant Team
The creative team of Michelin Stars Delta Restaurant, Thanos Feskos, Giorgos Papazaxarias and Jana Cechova was featured in the November issue of "Gastronomos" magazine "100 favorite suggestions for 24 hours". This post is not about food photography. Is a creative portraiture process dedicated to the people that give the best of their shelves every day to explore, to experiment, to satisfy their creative nature and their guests, tasting new gastronomic experiences. Special thanks to the three members of the team and gastronomos magazine, for giving us the chance to share our time creatively through the medium of portrait photography.
Athens’ Grande Bretagne & King George FNL Awards
In the portrait photography campaign for the Athenian hotels Grande Bretagne & King George photographs presents the awarded crew of the hotels that received four distinctions at this year’s FNL Best Restaurant Awards, recognizing their unique culinary offerings.
The FNL Best Restaurant Awards, now in its 6th edition in 2023, are determined by a committee consisting of FNL experts and distinguished gastronomy critics.
This annual gastronomy event is organized by FNL Guide, also known as The Food & Leisure Guide.
In the pictures with the Acropolis on the background, except the group portrait photo, also is included the awarded Asterios Koustoudis, the Executive Chef of Hotels Grande Bretagne & King George, was presented with the coveted Chef of the Year accolade. This award acknowledges his exceptional talent and significant contribution to Greece’s culinary scene.
Furthermore, Michalis Ladas, the maître of Tudor Hall restaurant, was honored as the Restaurant Manager of the Year. This special award recognizes Ladas for his remarkable contribution to Athens’ catering history and his illustrious 35-year career in renowned establishments.
Additionally, GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Tudor Hall Restaurant garnered FNL stars for their culinary excellence.
Under the guidance of Chef de Cuisine Nikos Liokas, GB Roof Garden Restaurant received one star for its exceptional Modern International Cuisine.
Meanwhile, Tudor Hall Restaurant, led by Chef de Cuisine Nikos Leivadias, maintained its prestigious two stars in the International Fine Dining caAtegory for yet another year.
These honors exemplify the hotels’ dedication to promoting Greek gastronomy to a diverse, international audience and solidify their position as leaders in the catering sector.
Hotel Grande Bretagne & King George are owned by Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A, a subsidiary company of the Laskaridis Group.
They are managed by Marriott International, Inc., a global hospitality company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Marriott operates and franchises hotels worldwide, offering the highly acclaimed travel program, Marriott Bonvoy™, boasting 141 million members globally.
Dimitris Papadimitriou
With the title "Cooking is inner prayer", Gastronomos magazine, host the interview of the composer Dimitris Papadimitriou for the August issue. His portrait photography took place at his home accompanied with the great taste of his recipes and an interesting conversation about his music experiences.
Music for cinema, theater and television, symphonic works, pioneering actions and vision. The composer Dimitris Papadimitriou It is still thirsty, after forty years of creation, and quenches the thirst of its recipients. With its prestige and consistent attitude, it brings together artists and people with similar concerns, at the same time giving a step to younger people to show their talents. He is steeped in our popular wealth, he owns its secrets and peculiarities, he knows deeply the ways and places of his libation. His folk songs have his "academic" aura, but they are not ossified, that is why they were sung, loved, they were even danced by the crowd, and most importantly, they stayed!
Quiet strength. It has a "plan", earthly, but also transcendental at the same time. Global, cosmopolitan, that is to say "Greek". He becomes a heretic to forge new paths, he becomes a "wrecker" to flatten swampy stereotypes and build new bridges. He loves cooking and has even received professional offers for his performance. So, my invitation for a culinary interview in a meal at his house. Dimitris Papadimitriou is a hospitable host. The space is similar to his work, flooded with unique art objects, some of which have family roots.
Text by Kostas Balachoutis
Dimitris Papadimitriou has written symphonic works, pieces for solo instruments and combinations of instruments, music for theater and for Greek cinema (Electric Angel, Revenge, Archangel of Passion, The Tree We Hurt, Victory of Samothrace, Lovers in the Time Machine, The Life One and a Half Thousand, The Light Going Out etc.), for Greek television and for television series in Sweden, France, Germany and elsewhere. The general public discovered him because of television.
Known from the beginning of the 1980s until today for his fine compositions, several of which dressed up well-known television hits (such as Anastasia by Giorgos Kordellas in a script by Mirela Papaikonomou, Don't Be Afraid of Fire, Due to Honor, Life which I did not live, Leni and the Witches of Smyrna), Dimitris Papadimitriou has also collaborated with Eleftheria Arvanitaki in a cycle of songs with the general title Songs for the Months, where he set well-known Greek poets to music.
In 2003 he took over as director of the Third Program and in September 2010 general director of Hellenic Radio[5]. Busy but versatile, after his long-term presence in the administration of ERT radio, he founded the Greek Project, a non-profit organization for the promotion of Greek and not only music[6]. In 2006 he gave a concert in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Organization on the occasion of the organization's 60th birthday. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1958.
Georgios Xenos
“We don’t know after all who is really imprisoned. The one outside or the one inside? And what kind of prison is this? Many people out there remain voluntarily incarcerated. So, I would tell you that many times being inside also involves a kind of asceticism. It has a loneliness characterized by greater freedom. So it always depends on the reason for which you are imprisoned”.
Interview to Giannis Padazopoulos
Georgios Xenos was born in Athens in 1953. He studied at the Ecole nationale superieure des Beaux Arts- Section des Arts Plastiques in Paris, during the years 1976 – 1982.
From 1983 to 1986 he lived and worked in Athens. In 1987 he lived and worked in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
From 1988 to 1992 he lived and worked in Berlin, where he experienced the historical events of the Fall of Berlin’s Wall. During this period, he exhibited his work in Winckelmann Museum, Stendal (June – October 1991) and in Pergamon Museum, Berlin (January – November 1992).
Since 1993 he has been living and working in Athens.
