Christos Drazos

When nature is your studio, anything is possible

An avid believer in trying a range of styles after first joining this field, Christos sees what he does as a journey, not just a profession. The challenge is what intrigues him.

Interview: Kostas Panagakis & Katerina Fotopoulou

Words: Emma Hensley

“No photographer is happy, in my mentality, with simply being inside a studio, where they have full control of the situation and the end product is produced very easily.”

Always on the move, a regular week can find him at a handful of different destinations. Traveling from Canaves Epitome in Santorini to Villa de Piazzano in Tuscany and then Atlantica Hotels in Cyprus over 10 days is just a sample of his work schedule.

Although Christos enjoys architectural photography, its concept has already been defined by the building’s construction and design; light can be the only changing factor in his pictures. “In Greek, the word ‘photographer’ means someone who uses light (‘phos’), to write. 

With a focus on hospitality, these ‘unknown variables’ are practically endless. Even at the same destination, two separate days can produce drastically different results; outside of the studio, a controlled microcosm where lighting is artificial and weather nonexistent, a photographer is truly at the whim of their environment.

“The sun doesn’t need permission to rise and set; the wind doesn’t ask before a strong gust blows a line of artfully arranged umbrellas into the air”.

Just like everyday life, photography is greatly influenced by the weather. When Christos finally got the opportunity to realise his dream of capturing Katikies Hotel in late October of 2006, Santorini was plagued with tumultuous grey skies and relentless rain from the second day of his visit. His disappointment at not being able to do justice to this once-picturesque property was palpable; but the silver lining came on day 4, when the Aegean Sea shone like a sapphire to reflect a blissfully clear sky.

Although the waters that encircle Santorini haven’t changed colour over the years, the way they are photographed has evolved since 2004. Before digital cameras, “extreme blue” was always expected; but with Instagram gaining in popularity, the “filtered” effect is now more desirable, with styles changing by the year. Christos sees this as a creative advantage; he can capture the same place in 2011 and then in 2018 with tremendously different results. 

Photography style has a great impact on the character of a picture, but so does the changing of the seasons. In Kokkedal Slot in Copenhagen, Christos shot ‘4 seasons in 4 days’: rain, hail, snowfall and sunshine, all during the month of April. 

These vast differences were also present at Esperanza Resort & Spa in Lithuania. This boutique hotel is sheltered by a fir-covered hill and nestled against a lake, which Christos photographed in July as a local fishing haunt, and in December from a snow-mobile when its surface was completely frozen over.

One of the most memorable moments at this hotel was during his summer stay when, after ordering a salad, he watched as a member of the kitchen staff ventured into the garden to gather the vegetables which were then served to him mere minutes after being picked from the vine. These are the experiences that truly call to him.

Moments like these are what will make his viewers dream, and images that are a bit “unorthodox” are what first draw their attention. Christos mentioned the Greek photographer Nikos Economopoulos, who said that a picture is not like a painting, it’s like a work of literature. Only ‘reading it’ once isn’t enough; it needs to be looked at again to reveal a second storyline. 

Beginning with a signature storytelling photo is what first sparks the imagination of Christos’ viewers, before presenting the high-quality services promised by a destination. A perfectly designed room or a dish where colours pop and flavours seem to jump out of the frame are only part of the truth. Showing the effort that has been put in by the chefs adds depth to the idea of an experience; it’s not just about how delicious the food is, after all. It’s about the people who have put their energy and passion into crafting each perfect bite. 

Moments like these are what will make his viewers dream, and images that are a bit “unorthodox” are what first draw their attention. Christos mentioned the Greek photographer Nikos Economopoulos, who said that a picture is not like a painting, it’s like a work of literature. Only ‘reading it’ once isn’t enough; it needs to be looked at again to reveal a second storyline. 

Beginning with a signature storytelling photo is what first sparks the imagination of Christos’ viewers, before presenting the high-quality services promised by a destination. A perfectly designed room or a dish where colours pop and flavours seem to jump out of the frame are only part of the truth. Showing the effort that has been put in by the chefs adds depth to the idea of an experience; it’s not just about how delicious the food is, after all. It’s about the people who have put their energy and passion into crafting each perfect bite. 

This authenticity is why boutique hotels are preferred over international chains by this avid traveler. The family-run Villa di Piazzano in Cortona in Italy, housed within the 500-year-old Piazzano Tower, was particularly intriguing; he found himself bewitched by the effortless way in which servers interacted with one another on the job, as if they were engaged in a graceful dance.

The answer to his unasked question was found in a neighbouring village, where he was invited to a classic pizzeria, to dine under with the mulberry trees with the hotel owners. There, he found three generations of the Wimple family dining with the entire Villa di Piazzano staff of over 25 people.

“When my daughter asked me to tell her the first thing I learned when I became a photographer, I said, ‘patience’. You have to make your circumstances work in your favour.”

An important rule that Christos abides by when he spends time with his own family is never to mix business with pleasure. Going on a trip together to a place where he has just finished a job would be like taking a vacation at the office, so this international photographer found other ways to instil love and respect for travel in his children. Long road trips through Europe, like the 9,000 km drive from Athens to San Sebastián in the Spanish Riviera, are now some of their fondest memories. Once, they made the 970 km trip from Saint-Raphaël to Paris with just one stop; the kids were having so much fun in the backseat listening to music and snacking on local delicacies that they had reached the French capital by the end of the day. 

Journeys like these taught a valuable lesson: the more you see, the more you come to realise that you haven’t explored enough of the world yet. At a new destination like New York City or Tokyo, culture shock is inevitable. Christos admits to being a “travel junkie” who takes over 100 flights annually, and will continue to do so for years to come. A destination is just like a high-quality photograph; it needs to be revisited so that it can reveal all its secrets.