Coffee Chronicles 4

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? When and how did photography become part of your life?

My name is Kosmas Koumianos, I am a photographer and director, and I started working with photography around 2006 or 2007. I had completed a degree in computer science at the time, working as an IT specialist, but I was the worst IT specialist out there, so I needed to find something else to do, as I was neither good at nor enjoyed computer science. So, I started studying photography in Athens, and after completing three schools while working, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to New York.

When I arrived in New York, that was the end of my IT career, and photography became the sole focus of my life. After all, it was the only thing I wanted to pursue, and it made me happy.

What is a typical day like for you ? How does it start and how does it end?

Usually, my day starts with some stress. I might try to fit in a morning workout, have a coffee, and enjoy a nice breakfast before heading to the studio, where I meet with my colleagues. There, we go over the project we have scheduled for that day, though we've already prepared everything in advance. When the day of the scheduled photoshoot or video comes, we proceed with the appropriate organization and execution, whether in the studio or on location. From there, it becomes like a game. We enjoy everything we do, whether it’s easy or challenging, and eventually, it wraps up. Afterward, I love having a nice meal, a good glass of wine, and getting to bed early. Sleep is very important to me. I aim to be asleep by 11 or 12 at the latest, since my day usually starts at seven in the morning and ends around eight or nine at night.

What has been the most challenging or “special” photoshoot you’ve done?

There have been many. One aspect is working with difficult people who might be having a rough day. For example, during one shoot, the person I was photographing had a panic attack. Another aspect involves challenging locations or conditions: extreme cold, fires that wouldn’t go out, models feeling cold, and more. A difficult shoot I remember was a swimwear photoshoot on Mountain Parnassus, where there was snow. We were warmly dressed with hot coffees in hand, admiring the snow, while the model was in swimwear.

We’d bring her out of the van, take her to the set, and have about one minute to shoot; she’d turn purple from the cold, and then we’d quickly bring her back in to warm up. Other challenging situations have come up too, but they’re fun. I’m not a doctor curing cancer, so I don’t consider my work truly difficult. I’d say it has amusing challenges.

Which well-known international photographer do you admire and why?

I admire many photographers, and I’ll borrow a quote from David Bowie, who is also my favorite singer. He said that, as an artist, he was a very good thief. I relate to that phrase because I admire and read about many photographers, so I draw inspiration from many of them. All these inspirations and references blend in my mind like a mixer, helping me to develop my own aesthetic and unfold my own ideas.

If you were asked to choose a neighborhood in Athens or an area in Attica for a photoshoot, which one would it be and why?

I think it depends on the concept of the shoot and what we want to convey. We’re lucky to be in Greece, and Attica specifically has many beautiful neighborhoods and spots where you can capture something unique. From the Athenian Riviera, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, further out to Sounio, to neighborhoods in Athens like Kypseli, the city center, Kolonaki, and Plaka.

There are so many photogenic places in Attica that I can’t single one out. However, if I had to choose, it would be nighttime Athens, specifically the city center at night. I love the lights, the cars, the streets. The center of Athens is more beautiful at night because its "flaws" are hidden, and it appears more cosmopolitan. It looks stunning on camera.

Which area in Athens would you choose for a primary residence and which part of Greece for a vacation home?

In Athens, for a primary residence, I’d choose Filothei and Psychiko. These are my favorite areas, especially Filothei, because it’s like a secluded center. Having lived in Filothei for seven years, I find it to be a beloved area. It feels like living in a quiet village, with roads without traffic, large parks, a mountain and forest nearby, and at the same time, you’re 10 minutes from the center and 10 minutes from the northern suburbs. So, yes, Filothei and Psychiko are my favorites for a primary residence. For a vacation home, I’d very easily choose a house on a beach somewhere in the Cyclades.

Tell us about one of your favorite projects.

One of my favorite projects includes those I’ve done in third-world countries, some in collaboration with Action Aid, and others with Papakaliatis and Action Aid. I love going to places like Africa, India, Nepal, etc., to help. Beyond the happiness I feel when helping others, it also serves as a form of therapy, in the sense that I witness how happy these people are with so little. I’ve been to villages with no electricity—places that have never had electricity and don’t even know what it is—and I’ve seen the most genuine smiles, which I’ve captured in photos. When I see these 100% authentic smiles, I come back to Athens and think, “Do I even have problems?”

Similarly, I’ve been to the Syria-Lebanon border, photographing people who have lost their homes and families, who live with nothing, yet display the strength of the human spirit and find reasons to be genuinely happy. Capturing the happiness and smiles of these people is one of my favorite types of photography. It’s a powerful reminder of how we live and what we worry about here, and meeting these people and recording their stories is among my favorite projects.

What’s your favorite spot in your home where you relax?

My favorite spot at home is my corner sofa across from the TV. I can have my laptop next to me, watch something on TV, and enjoy either a meal I’ve ordered or something I’ve cooked.

What are your hobbies?

I have many hobbies and need more time for them all. I love cycling—both as a workout, in races, and as a leisure activity. I also love traveling, whether for documentaries or leisure, cooking, and listening to music from vinyl, tapes, and CDs, but also using modern technology like advanced speakers with amazing sound quality.

Lastly, I enjoy anything with a steering wheel: cars, motorcycles, planes, boats. I love driving, and I get many wonderful, creative ideas while driving. I also enjoy diving, but I need more time to fit everything in.

What does “home” mean to you?

For me, home means peace and tranquility. It’s like a refuge, a harbor where you find calm. It’s the place where you come in, close the door, and feel the worries fade away and you can relax.

Would you like to tell us about what you're currently working on?

In the near term, I’m working on a photo album with four themes: one with photos of celebrities and others, another with photos from my travels, a third focusing on documentaries, and finally, my personal projects that I exhibit. So, one of my immediate goals is to publish a beautiful coffee table book. It’s challenging because there are thousands of photos, and I often find myself putting it off because I don’t know which ones to select.

I’m also currently participating in two upcoming exhibitions—one in Paris soon, and the other in three months in New York, where I’ll be part of a gallery exhibition of visual art photography.

When you hear Engel & Völkers, what are the first three things that come to mind?

When I hear Engel & Völkers, the three things that come to mind are trust, premium, and finding something that exceeds my expectations.