Alexandros Othonos: Minimalism in Focus -

ALEXANDROS OTHONOS

Minimalism in Focus

Interview with the Minimalist Photographer of the Year 2025

© Alexandros Othonos: portrait of the photographer

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”

– Ansel Adams

About the Photographer

Alexandros Othonos (b. 1998, Greece) is an internationally acclaimed photographer whose minimalist vision has earned him global recognition. Named Minimalist Photographer of the Year 2025, Othonos is celebrated for transforming simplicity into powerful visual narratives. His work has been honored with numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the Muse Photography Awards (2025, Conceptual), Silver at the World Masters of Photography (2025, Contemporary), 1st Place at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (2023, Fine Art Portrait), and distinctions at Prix de la Photographie Paris, Refocus Awards, Budapest International Foto Awards, and the International Photography Awards.

His photographs have been exhibited internationally at prestigious venues such as Haute Photographie Rotterdam, ImageNation New York & Paris, the House of Lucie (Budapest and Tokyo), and the Photosynthesis International Photography Festival in Athens. With features in PhotoVogue Italy, Life Is Scene Magazine, and Fresh Eyes Talents 2024, Othonos continues to shape the dialogue around contemporary minimalist photography.

Ana:

Alexandros, before you discovered photography, what was your background? I’ve heard that your journey into photography happened somewhat by chance—could you tell us more about that?

A. Othonos:

Before I started photography, I had always admired and loved art, but I wasn’t personally involved in it. I often wished I could do what painters do, though my hands simply weren’t made for it. A few years ago, I was living in Athens and working as a kitchen assistant. At that time, a friend of mine was a university student taking photography classes. She frequently had photography assignments, and I wanted to help—whether by offering ideas or even being her model.

Somehow, I became captivated by everything photography could do, and I decided to experiment with a simple camera myself. Gradually, I became more and more involved. Photography entered my life so unexpectedly that I like to think of it as an accident. What began as something casual soon turned into a real passion. Looking back now, it feels far from accidental—it was the start of a beautiful new chapter in my life. That ‘accident’ truly became a turning point, reshaping the way I see the world.

Ana:

Technically speaking, which elements of photography continue to amaze or inspire you the most?

A. Othonos:

I truly love composition in photography, the way every element can come together harmoniously within the frame, and how each detail is shaped to create the right result, depending on how the artist envisions it. I also enjoy working with color, but I have a special love for black and white. There is something unique in the way you can play with light and shadow to emphasize details in a more subtle, distinctive way. Above all, light is one of the most important elements in an image. Depending on how you choose and manage the light, you can guide and transform the entire scene, as well as the emotion you want to convey to the viewer.

Ana:

What inspired you to create the series “Threads of memory’s”, the work that earned you the title of Minimalist Photographer of the Year 2025?

A. Othonos:

To be honest, this project is deeply connected to my personal memories and family stories. Being born in 1998, I’ve only experienced a small glimpse of earlier times, yet there’s a certain magic in those past eras. They were different from today and seemed to carry a romantic quality—a simplicity and beauty that feels rare now.

One day, while going through my family’s old photographs, I felt a profound sense of nostalgia and emotions I had never quite experienced before. That moment inspired me to create a project that was very personal. With ‘Threads of Memory’, I wanted to bridge the past and the present, sharing the feelings I experienced while looking at those photographs—emotions I believe many people would recognize if they revisited their own family histories.

Ana:

From identity and memory to emotional isolation, which aspects of the human condition fascinate you the most, and why?

A. Othonos:

I believe all of these aspects are important, as they truly shape who we are. Each touches me in different ways, but what I find most compelling are memory and emotional isolation. Memory is such a vital part of human existence, because our past experiences and actions shape who we are today. I find deep meaning in the stories and emotions that memory carries, and in the role they play in the person we aspire to become in the future.

Isolation, on the other hand, is a challenging human experience, one that brings both pain and depth. Yet I also see it as essential—through isolation, we grow into the person we truly want to be. It strengthens us and nurtures emotional maturity, helping us navigate the journey we call life. Ultimately, all of these aspects shape not only who we are as individuals, but also who we are as artists, influencing the inspiration and messages we convey through our work.

Ana:

Which piece of your work are you most proud of so far, and what makes it so meaningful to you?

A. Othonos:

I can’t really say that I am proud of one single work in particular. For me, each project represents a step in my journey, something that allows me to express myself, explore new ideas, and learn along the way. I feel more proud of the evolution I see in my work over time, rather than of one specific piece. Every photograph or series carries its own story and meaning, and together they shape who I am becoming as an artist.

Ana:

In your opinion, what are the key elements that make storytelling truly successful?

A. Othonos:

That’s a very interesting question. I believe there are several elements needed for successful storytelling. First of all, a story should evoke emotion in the viewer, it doesn’t matter whether it is positive or negative, but it has to make them feel something. I also find it important for a work to carry symbolism or a message, but not to reveal it immediately. The viewer should be able to explore the piece and form their own opinion and interpretation. The more genuine and personal the storytelling is from the artist, the more powerful it becomes. Finally, I believe that the more open a work is to interpretation, the more successful it is. This allows the viewer to find their own meanings , emotions, or narrative within the piece, to travel with their imagination, and to discover the answers they are seeking.

Ana:

If you were compelled to explore only one single subject in photography, which one would it be, and what draws you to it?

A. Othonos:

If I had to choose only one subject, it would be human identity. But not identity in its simplest form, I am interested in distorting it, reshaping it, and pushing it a step further through my work. For me, identity is never fixed. It is fragile, fluid, and constantly evolving, shaped by memories, emotions and personal experiences. In my photography, I want to explore this instability, to question how much of our identity is true, how much is constructed, and how it can be transformed. By distorting identity, I feel I can reveal hidden truths about the human condition, and invite the viewer to reflect on their own sense of self.

Ana:

Who are the photographers or artists that inspire you, and why?

A. Othonos:

One artist I deeply admire is Elizaveta Porodina. I admire the dreamlike quality of her work and the way she blends surrealism with raw emotion. Her images are not just photographs, but almost like visual poems that transport the viewer into another world. What impresses me most about her is her fearless approach to experimentation, how she uses color, abstraction and distortion to create atmospheres that feel both intimate and otherworldly.

Ana:

Are there any future projects that you would like to share with us?

A. Othonos:

In the future, I want to experiment more with color and explore how it can evolve alongside my work, which has so far been mainly black and white. I feel that developing this side of my practice will allow me to discover new possibilities of expression. I also want to continue evolving and take my work to communicate and connect with people on a deeper level. At the same time, I have many projects and ideas in my mind, which I am going to bring to life.

More about Alexandros Othonos:

official website: https://www.alexandrosothonos.com/

Instagram: @alex_othwnos