Vasilios Sfinarolakis is a photojournalist, filmmaker, and multimedia producer. His dedication to documenting fading and contemporary cultures – at their intersection – comes from his own unique multilayer upbringing having both an uniquely American and Greek identity. This perspective has allowed Vasilios’ and his work to dig beyond superficial cultural distinctions and show the humanity inherent in all human activity. Vasilios’ sensitive eye and empathetic outlook have allowed him to connect with his subjects on a more authentic level, which is a signature of his work.
“Everything I photograph is in a shade of gray. Seldom does a situation have a clear ‘right’ or ‘wrong‘ answer. What is perceived as terrorism to one is freedom fighting to another. It is essential to understand the idea of ‘perspectives.’ To truly understand that others do not share your perspective because they are not you, well, that is empathy. Photography is one of the means – however flawed – that allows me to relay this message. A ‘bad’ person could have easily been a President, and if I can help people understand this I will be tremendously humbled.”
Vasilios has been published in The New York Times Sunday Edition, David Alan Harvey’s Burnmagazine, FWAphoto, The37thFrame, et al. He has had his work shown in Galleries in New York, Italy, and Connecticut and has won numerous competitions including the National Soho Photo Competition (2009). In 2007, Vasilios was afforded the opportunity to study with Master Photographer and Conflict Photojournalist Michele Pero, whose work in Kosovo during the Balkan War was widely praised for its sensitivity and authenticity.
Vasilios has photographed, documented, and produced films in countries all over the world – from Africa to Asia Major to Europe and the United States. He has worked for such prestigious institutions such as Ken Burns’ Florentine Films, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and has worked closely with influential National Geographic veterans such as Jamie Bernanke, Eric Taylor, Gordy Waterman, among others. Most recently Vasilios was in Louisiana covering the mysterious ‘disappearance’ of the oil from the BP Oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Currently, Vasilios is the executive producer and director of photography of The Guarani Project, a multimedia exploration of the worlds current largest freshwater aquifer in South America. He has also self-produced a month-long reportage on Navajo Nation in Gallup, New Mexico, which is an ongoing effort.
Please feel free to contact Vasilios with assignment proposals, questions, concerns, or for some photo.osophy.
