For over twenty-five years he’s been looking at the world through his camera’s lens and seeing “the best painter: nature’ssplendour” adds the Greek photographer who has shot miles of film in the past, and thousands of digital photos now.
“I’d dare say my story is quite long as this year is my 25-year anniversary as a professional hotel, lifestyle and destination photographer. It all started with my love of photography and this beautiful journey continues. It has already led me to the most beautiful places on the planet and I can’t wait to see where else it will take me,” Sakis Papadopoulos tells me when I ask him where he’s coming from and where he’s headed.
“It all started when, in my teenage years, I explored the unsurpassed natural beauties of our country and I decided to study the art of photography in depth, in one of the most esteemed academies in the world in Holland,” he continues.
–How attached to your camera do you feel?
I would say that is it the extension of my eye, my soul, and my heart. It helps me express my deepest feelings and so, it’s natural to consider it an extremely valuable part of myself.
–What has the art of photography taught you in all these years?
To see beauty everywhere and to showcase it, to be especially eclectic and to always prefer quality over quantity.
-What is the greatest satisfaction in your work?
When I am able to deliver my best possible result and am told by the client how happy they are with my work.
-You are also the Greek photographer with the largest archive of photographs of the Maldives, and you work with the biggest hotels there. How did this come to be?
The truth is that I am the only Greek photographer with a multi-year presence, not just in the Maldives but in other top tourist destinations around the world like the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Caribbean etc. The common element in all those top destinations is that in order to withstand the international competition you have to offer consistent value, reliability, punctuality, creativity, constant training in new techniques, and innovation.
“Greece’s light in general, especially in spring, is the most exciting blue I’ve ever seen”
Sakis Papadopoulos
-Which is the most beautiful place in Greece in your opinion?
This land is so blessed with natural beauty that I couldn’t choose one without doing a disservice to other places.
-What’s the best time for a photoshoot in Greece?
The best time for a shoot depends on the specifics of each project.
-How would you describe the Athenian light?
The Athenian light, but also Greece’s light in general, especially in spring, is the most exciting blue I’ve ever seen.
-From the thousand images you’ve framed and shot is there one that has stayed in your mind and heart?
One morning flying in a seaplane over Baa Atoll in the Maldives, I shot a magical and one-of-a-kind complex of heavenly islands right in the middle of the Indian Ocean and I tried to capture nature’s splendour that is the best painter the best I could.
