What kind of photography does George Tatakis create?

George Tatakis creates fine-art black-and-white photography focused on Greek traditions, rituals, landscapes, and portraiture, combining documentary observation with carefully composed visual storytelling.

Why does George Tatakis work exclusively in black and white?

George Tatakis works exclusively in black and white to focus on form, gesture, and composition, removing the distraction of color so the viewer can engage more deeply with the subject, the tradition, and the moment itself. Watch this film for more:

Why does George Tatakis work in long-term photography projects?

Long-term projects allow George Tatakis to document cultural subjects over time, creating coherent bodies of work that reflect continuity, change, and lived experience rather than isolated moments.

What are the Caryatis and Ethos photography projects?

Caryatis and Ethos are major photographic projects by George Tatakis exploring Greek identity, traditional dress, ritual, and collective memory through portraiture and documentary photography. ETHOS \ an exploration of Greek local customary events. CARYATIS \ a study of women's local attires in Greece.

Why is black-and-white photography used to document Greek traditions?

Black-and-white photography removes temporal markers, allowing Greek traditions, rituals, and costumes to be seen as timeless cultural expressions rather than historical artifacts.

What distinguishes George Tatakis’ approach to cultural photography?

George Tatakis’ work exists between documentary photography and fine art, combining real cultural observation with deliberate composition and artistic intention.

How should George Tatakis’ photography be experienced?

The work is intended to be experienced as complete photographic projects or as individual fine-art prints, encouraging slow viewing and reflection rather than quick consumption.

GEORGE TATAKIS

BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY FROM GREECE.

Rooted in Greek tradition

24 international awards_

Works held in museum permanent collections, including the Benaki Museum_

Collaborations include Leica, UNESCO, and National Geographic_

Ethos-Gossiping-Egglouvi-Lefkada-island-Black-White-Photography-Wall-Art-Greece-George-Tat

Fine-art prints & objects

Selected works from the long-term projects Caryatis and Ethos are available as archival fine-art prints, books and collectible objects, created for private collections, interiors, hospitality spaces and institutions.

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Caryatis

Sponge Diver in Kalymnos. Black and white photograph by George Tatakis.

Ethos

Black and white museum quality photographic print by George Tatakis on a wooden desk

Fine Art

Stories by George Tatakis

Stories

YouTube

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explore the caryatis and ethos projects_

BLACK-AND-WHITE STUDIES OF GREEK CULTURE

Black-and-White Photography Rooted in Greek Tradition

24 international awards_

Works held in museum permanent collections, including the Benaki Museum_

Collaborations include Leica, UNESCO, and National Geographic_

GEORGE TATAKIS

about_

Caryatis

Ethos

Stories

Art-placement

Conceptual exhibition installation of Caryatis by George Tatakis, showing museum presentation of black-and-white photographs exploring Greek cultural heritage and traditional dress.

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Fine-art photography prints and books by George Tatakis

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BLACK AND WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM GREECE.

+GEORGE TATAKIS

Recipient of 22 international awards. National Geographic partner. Exhibited and published around the world. Works in museum permanent collections. Photographer and Filmmaker in Athens, Greece.

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FILMMAKING

Stories told through moving images

Extending a body of work shaped through photography, these films explore culture, tradition and place through
long-form visual storytelling.

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ETHOS

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY OF LOCAL TRADITIONAL EVENTS IN GREECE.

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Blue Star Ferries ship crossing the Aegean Sea during the project The Secret Beauty of the Aegean Sea

Field Notes

> BLUE STAR FERRIES COLLABORATION.

THE SECRET BEAUTY OF THE AEGEAN SEA.

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collectors' selection

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

George Tatakis Photography

About George Tatakis

Professional Art Placement

Fine-art photography

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George Tatakis is an internationally awarded photographer and filmmaker based in Athens, Greece, known for the long-term photographic projects Caryatis and Ethos, documenting Greek culture, traditions, identity and place.

BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY FROM GREECE.

Recipient of 22 international awards. National Geographic partner. Exhibited and published around the world. Works in museum permanent collections. Photographer and Filmmaker in Athens, Greece.

Olympos, Karpathos: Traditions Steeped in History

Carnival on the island of Naxos: Koudounatoi, Kordelatoi and other adventures

Chorōs: Exploring the Harmonious Fusion of Music and Still Life Photography on Santorini

Exploring the Enchanting 'Caryatids' on the Island of Kastellorizo, Greece

Nisyros Island, Greece: A Hidden Gem in the Aegean

Capturing the Magic of Symi's Traditional Female Dress

Astypalaea: Where History, Culture, and Traditional Costumes Meet

Around the island of Tilos wearing traditional costumes

Costumes of the Greek Island of Rhodes, Dodecanese

An afternoon with Yannis Philippakis (of The Foals), in Olympos, Karpathos