Photographer Vasilis Liappis

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Athens, Greece? :)

—There are many talented wedding photographers in Greece, and in Athens particularly. Not trying to be politically correct, it is just the truth. I have to pick from so many. One of my favorites is Aristotelis Nikolaides.

—Are you photogenic?

—I am very photogenic, especially behind my camera!

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I started as a photography student, back in 1998, working at the same time as an assistant in a commercial studio. Since then, I have tried and worked in many genres of professional photography industry, with the latest being the wedding photography, which I practice for more than 6 years now.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Less is more, first and foremost, and secondly, a good communication of feelings from the subject.

—Do you love traveling?

—I love traveling and always looking forward to it. If I can achieve traveling and work, I'm a happy man!

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Connecting with new people, couples and professionals.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—The weight of equipment I have to carry around

—What will be the future of photography?

—I believe that as photography evolves, so do professionals. So, that being said, I see more professionalism and lots of beautiful and unique images!

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Communication with ordinary people, like me will be the first thing, and the second one is that for a special day in people's lives, I become part of that day!

—How do you handle criticism?

—I love criticism in a polite manner. Always makes things evolve in a better way.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Trends come and go, but a good photo is always good, no matter how many years pass.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—First of all, I believe that both parties should have some common ground. Besides the budget and services provided, the photographer and the client should get along well. That is the first thing I tell my new clients, when I get a request for a booking. I like to meet them first, and if we get along well, from the first meeting, then everything else is doable. Of course, quality of services provided, professionalism and discretion play an equally important role in choosing a photographer.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Not to be distracted by anything, not to be rude to anyone, not to be nervous or anxious by any circumstances that may occur.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—Reactions of guests in a wedding, beautiful light (reflections, backlight, sidelight etc), shapes and all kinds of things that can form a good composition for a photograph.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—How interesting the subject is, what makes it pop inside the photo, which are the secondary elements that help the subject, and of course the quality of light used.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—The common man, you and me.

—Who do you want to shoot?

—I want to take photos of my girlfriend, just because she never lets me!!! The most difficult subject I ever met, lol!

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I always, always arrive at least half an hour earlier than agreed, always deliver earlier than agreed as well.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—I would love to shoot with George Pahountis, a fellow Greek photographer, with whom I have the same origins as well. Island of Karpathos that is.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I worry much about intolerance, because that makes people hateful, and in history the examples are more than enough that show where this has brought mankind.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The first time I traveled by my self. I loved the feeling of freedom to chose what I'd do next. It was also a good chance to discover myself and to think deep about many things that concerned me at that time.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—As a child, I loved reading a comic series, named "Lucky Luke", by a Belgian artist Morris. I loved the fact that he was efficient no matter the circumstances he had to face each time, he was lonely with a horse as his only friend, and always, riding towards the sunset as a lonesome cowboy.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My recently gone Father, because he was a fighter, nothing was given easily to him in life, but he gave too much to me, nevertheless.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Success for me is doing something that people appreciate. I am happy if the people I work with are happy. Money is important of course, but as long as I get along, I don't mind that much. I'm a simple person, living a simple life. No fancy lifestyle here.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—I prefer to be respected, not only because it is more difficult, but because it is more substantial in my opinion.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—I gave too much of my effort, without being appreciated.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—A cell phone, my camera equipment and a pair of good walking shoes, because all I do is searching online where is the next interest point for shooting, and then I go there on foot, just not to miss any parts of my way there.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—I'm not a compulsive buyer, so, everything I buy is for a reason, and being used.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I love watching webinars and of course study other photographers work, either on social media or other platforms. Through the years I discovered that being interested in more than one genre in photography, keeps me motivated, and I certainly am not fatigued by my work.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—When I started, I loved Edward Hopper's paintings. Victor Lax is one of my favorites, but I also admire and being influenced from many other styles as well. Lately I admire many Scottish photographers, because of the dark and moody pictures they make, in such dramatic landscapes. I really wish I could visit Scotland one day!

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—That it's not that easy as it seems. It is an art, and as such, it takes a long way to master the craft, lots of patience, exercise, and many different aspects that you need to learn and exceed to.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want to bring out a positive feeling, sometimes surrounded by a much darker mood. Only to emphasize that there is always hope in the end of the tunnel.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Every photo is different than the previous one taken. That only, is enough not to make me bored of what I do.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I think they raised me to be a good person, so I think they made a pretty good job in terms of strictness.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I definitely would like to have studied more, in a university, far away from my city.

—What about life on other planets?

—Who am I to answer such kind of a question? I believe it's possible though.

—Who are your heroes?

—Every day people are my heroes.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Mostly politicians, but just to be safe don't want to name any lol!

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Landscape photography is my no.1 hobby. Besides that I love swimming and being near the sea in general.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—I'd rather not answer LOL!!!

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Once I get feedback from my clients. Until then, I always am anxious and uncertain.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—I'll say just this one sentence. I'm the king in the kitchen.

—Do you make friends easily?

—Friends with the real significance of the word, no, but I love to interact with new people all the time.

—Where would you like to live?

—In a Greek island, surrounded by the sea.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—I agreed to drive in a remote and full of turns road, after a wild night out, and just a day before I give my driving license tests.

—Is there life after marriage?

—If there's a will, there's always a way. So, my answer is yes, of course.

—Do you have a favorite joke? Tell us.

—Knock knock....

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—More of a dog person here.

—Who or what do you hate?

—I hate arrogance and intolerance. Two of the worst characteristics in my opinion, a person could have.

—The best thing in life is:

—Life by itself is a miracle. But besides that, all the things you get to learn, see, live, feel, laugh for or cry for... Life is good!

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Getting up very early in the morning... :-P

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—Yes, traffic jams...

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—I would like to reduce my stress levels.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Hatred of any kind is the thing I would eliminate, if I could.

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Never give up, never listen to people who tell you that you are not the right person for such a job. Persist and love every moment of what you do.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Let me take a picture of you! I know it's a cliche, but who's that photographer that would miss that kind of chance, right?

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—I like Dramatic films

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—HIKING!!!