Polychronis Nikiforakis, EFIAP/b,ESFIAP, UPI CR3, PSA CP3*

Nikiforakis Polichronis took his first steps in photography at a very young age under the guidance of his father (Michalis Nikiforakis, EFIAP) and ever since he has been actively involved in photography, participating in photographic competitions in both Greece and abroad. He gained his first distinction (a silver medal) in Greece in 1989, at the annual competition of the Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete. Since then he has won 13 gold medals, 7 silver, 12 bronze, 20 commendations, 10 acceptances, in national competitions.

In 2000 he was elected to the board of the Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete and ever since has held the position of General Supervisor. He has also taught at the seminars for young photographers which are organized every year by the Photographic Society of Crete.

In 2001 he won his first distinction abroad and since then he has won 22 medals, 490 acceptances and many entries in catalogues of international competitions with 140 different photographs.

In May 2006 he gained his Artist Photographer (AFIAP) from the Federation International de l’ Art Photographique In May 2009 he was awarded the title of EFIAP .In July 2010 he was awarded the title EFIAP/b and the title ESFIAP

In April 2007 he was awarded his first star in colour photography by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) for acceptances gained in competitions organized by the Society. In June 2007 he gained his second star and some months later his third star in color prints.

In January 2007 he became a member of UNESCO and UPI (United photographers International). In November 2008 was elected as Secretary General of UPI.

Since 2003 he has been active in numerous seminars organized for school teachers, dentists, municipal officers and others, teaching them basic photographic skills. Along with these activities, he has taught photography at “Pagrition” High School, introducing photography to young students and organizing photographic exhibitions of his students’ work.

As a photographer, he has taken part in many group exhibitions held throughout Greece and has done two personal exhibitions. His photographs form part of a group exhibition by internationally acclaimed Cretan photographers. Some of his photographs appear in two publications: “The Woman On Crete”, by George Panayiotakis and “Episkopi Pediados”, by Michalis Nikiforakis. Some of his photographs appeared on local calendars in 1997, 1998 and 2000.

He has participated in many national and international photo competition as a judge.

Website: www.nikiforakis.com