Born in 1971 in Ioannina, Greece, he has gained international recognition in the field of Documentary Photography.

He holds a PhD degree in Documentary Photography (University of Wales, Newport), an MA degree in Photographic Journalism (University of Westminster) and BA degrees in Photography (Athens’ Technological Educational Institute) and Physical Education and Sports Science (University of Thessaloniki).

As a freelance professional photojournalist, Kontos has worked with the French international agencies “Sygma” and “Gamma” and the American agency “Polaris Images”. He has documented dozens of stories in more than 45 countries of the planet, from Palestine and Israel to Western Sahara and Sierra Leone, and from North Korea and Indonesia to Iran and Colombia. His work has been recognized by 20 respected awards to date including first prizes in the World Press Photo Competition, POYi, Life Magazine’s Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, N.P.P.A. ‘The Best of Photojournalism’ and Doctors of the World ‘Luis Valtuena Award’.

His photographs, texts and interviews have been published in the world’s most well-known publications, such as Time, Newsweek, Life, The New York Times, Stern, Der Spiegel, Nouvel Observateur, Paris Match, L’Express, Le Monde, Liberation, The Independent, The Sunday Times Magazine, The Observer, GEO, L’ Espresso, Panorama, La Republica, El Pais, etc. and have been exhibited internationally.

He has published two books, the ‘Possible / Impossible: Aporias’ and the ‘North Korea: Red Utopia’.
www.yanniskontos.com