Fokion Zissiadis

Fokion Zissiadis
Born1956 (age 68–69)
Thessaloniki, Greece
EducationAristotle University of Thessaloniki (Architecture), University of Pennsylvania (MArch)
OccupationsPhotographer, tourism executive
Years active2016–present (as photographer)
Known forLarge-scale fine art landscape photography, "Icebergs from Genesis to Extinction" exhibition
Websitefokionzissiadis.com

Fokion Zissiadis (Greek: Φωκίων Ζησιάδης; born 1956) is a Greek photographer known for his large-scale, fine-art landscape photography. He focuses on remote natural environments and geological phenomena in locations such as Greenland and Iceland.[1][2] His work on Vietnam received an Award from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[3] Trained as an architect, Zissiadis spent decades as an executive in the tourism sector before devoting himself fully to photography and adventure travel in 2016.[4]

Early life and career

Fokion Zissiadis was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1956.[1] He studied architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He later completed a master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, US, graduating in 1983.[5][6]

Following his studies, Zissiadis worked in the hotel and tourism sector, continuing a family tradition. From 1989 to 2016, he served as one of the main shareholders and Vice President of Sani S.A., known for the Sani Resort in Halkidiki.[6][7] He was part of the second generation that contributed to the expansion of the resort facilities.[8][9]

Zissiadis first developed an interest in photography during his architecture student years, initially focusing on photographing buildings and urban landscapes.[1][10] In 2015, following a shareholder decision regarding the company, Zissiadis made the decision to exit the tourism business. By 2016, he dedicated himself entirely to landscape photography and organizing solo adventure travel expeditions.[4][11]

Since 1979 he has been married to Mata Tsolozidis (Mata Tsolozidi-Zissiadis) owner of the "George Tsolozidis Collection" including antiquities of 7.000 years of history.[12][13] She often accompanies him on his photographic journeys.[1][2]

Photography career

Zissiadis's photographic work is characterized by a personal approach to landscapes. He has stated he seeks to preserve a wide-angle "view through a personal window" on the world.[11][14] His work transitioned from urban landscapes to nature, using geometry to interpret the landscape and emphasizing the genius loci (spirit of the place).[1][15]

Themes and technique

Zissiadis's projects cover diverse terrains, including glaciers, savannahs, jungles, Volcanoes, and deserts. His expeditions have taken him to locations such as Iceland, Greenland,[4][11][16] Vietnam, Patagonia, Botswana, Namibia, China, and Morocco.[1][6]

A recurring characteristic of his compositions is the inclusion of dwarfed human figures, which are intended to highlight the "insignificance of man when confronted with the grandeur and majesty of the natural world."[1][15]

He employs Phase One camera systems for landscapes, Canon for wildlife, and Olympus for underwater shots.[17]

Publications and exhibitions

Zissiadis's photography books have been published by teNeues and Rizzoli publishing houses.

Books
  • Iceland (teNeues, 2016). His first book explored the geophysical phenomena of the Icelandic landscape.[6][18]
  • Vietnam (Rizzoli, 2020). This volume documents a 60-day expedition across Vietnam where Zissiadis covered approximately 6,000 kilometers.[10] The book received the National Publication Award from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2021.[3]
  • Greenland (teNeues, 2023). An XXL format book featuring 190 color photographs, including aerial shots documenting icy landscapes and the indigenous Inuit population.[2]
  • Morocco (teNeues, 2025). XXL book featuring 250 color photographs of the historic ruins of Volubilis, the "Blue City" of Chefchaouen and themarkets in Fez, Had Draa and Rissani, among others.[19]
Exhibitions

His first solo photographic exhibition, Icebergs from Genesis to Extinction, was held at the Benaki Museum (Pireos Street annex) in Athens in 2019.[15][16] Curated by Stavros Kavalaris, the exhibition focused on the "twofold personality" of icebergs—above and below sea level—referencing Archimedes' principle. The exhibition used OptiPlex technology for high-resolution prints to provide a 3D impression.[17][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hermand-Grisel, Sandrine. "Fokion Zissiadis". All About Photo. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  2. ^ a b c "New book publication "Greenland" by Fokion Zissiadis". teNeues Verlag GmbH. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Η κυβέρνηση του Βιετνάμ βράβευσε τον Φωκίωνα Ζησιάδη" [The Vietnamese government awarded Fokion Zisiades.]. Parallaxi Magazine. 2022-02-21. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Ζησιάδης: Παγετώνες στη Γροιλανδία". Καθημερινή. 2019-10-07. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Dimopoulou, Karolina. "Ποιος είναι ο Θεσσαλονικιός που βραβεύτηκε από την κυβέρνηση του Vietnam για το έργο του;" [Who is the Thessaloniki native who was awarded by the Vietnamese government for his work?]. GLOW.GR (in Greek). Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "Photographer Fokion Zissiadis – New book "Greenland"". teNeues. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  7. ^ "Φωκίων Ζησιάδης: ο έλληνας φωτογράφος που αποθέωσε τη φύση του Βιετνάμ" [Fokion Zisiadis: the Greek photographer who glorified the nature of Vietnam]. Andro (in Greek). February 23, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Λαμπίρης, Γιώργος (October 24, 2024). "Η οικογένεια που ίδρυσε το Sani Resort επιστρέφει στη Χαλκιδική". The Total Business (in Greek). Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Τούλας, Γιώργος (2017-03-17). "Έτσι γεννήθηκε το Sani Club". Parallaxi Magazine (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  10. ^ a b "Vietnam". Rizzoli New York. September 15, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Ένας Έλληνας φωτογράφος ταξίδεψε μέχρι τη Γροιλανδία για να φωτογραφίσει το μεγαλείο των παγόβουνων" [A Greek photographer traveled to Greenland to photograph the majesty of icebergs]. Lifo. 2019-10-17. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  12. ^ "Private antiquities to go public". eKathimerini.com. 2003-01-20. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  13. ^ Kakabas, George, ed. (2019). Institution of Sponsorship from Ancient to Modern Times. Athens: The Norwegian Institute at Athens. p. 270. ISBN 9789609845199.
  14. ^ Zissiadis, Fokion. "Iceland in Color". LensCulture. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "Fokion Zissiadis: ICEBERGS from Genesis to Extinction". Benaki Museum. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Capturing the ever-changing icebergs of Greenland". eKathimerini. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  17. ^ a b "Φωκίων Ζησιάδης: Από τη Γένεση στην Εξαΰλωση" [Glaciers. From Genesis to Disappearance]. Saronic Magazine. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  18. ^ Iceland. teNeues. 2016. ISBN 9783832733193. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  19. ^ ""Morocco", the new book by Fokion Zissiadis". teNeues. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
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