Photography portfolio by Paul Kostadimas

An introduction by Marilee Kostadimas

Paul Kostadimas is a classically trained photographer with thoroughly modern perspective, ever seeking the “decisive moment.” This portfolio features his original photography around the world.

As the Visual Director of Spotlight Sojourns, Paul creates and curates original images with care and craft. His goal? To elevate photos and videos into evocative slow travel stories.

Paul’s highly honed skills include more than 30 years’ photography experience and photographic printing expertise.

In addition, he holds credentials as a Part 107 commercial drone pilot, certified and licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Basically, those are the facts about photographer Paul Kostadimas.

But let's dive a little deeper into Paul's story and the "decisive moments" in his work.

Paul’s parents gave their little boy his first camera, an Agfa. He still remembers that inaugural roll of film, a 126 film cartridge, and his family’s reactions to his photographic debut.

Formal photography classes followed. Photography and film studies in university particularly influenced his style of portrait and street photography.

For several years, Paul worked as the site photographer on archaeological excavations in Greece. Although archaeology photography is surely less glamorous than other genres, it's a precise and rigorous discipline.

All in all, Paul and cameras are inseparable companions. He always carries one or more cameras and essential gear such as professional travel tripods.

He loves photography's blend of classic compositions and formal techniques balanced against shoot-from-the-hip spontaneity.

Digital advances notwithstanding, Paul’s years of shooting black-and-white film and hand-printing full-frame images remain invaluable in his ongoing quest for the "decisive moment."

At this point, you may be wondering, "OK, but what is the decisive moment?"

Excellent question! Let's answer that next.

Then, most importantly, let's answer why the "decisive moment" matters, in photography as in travel and life.

What is the decisive moment

The term “decisive moment,” refers to a pioneering 20th-century photography concept from the late, great Henri Cartier-Bresson.

To clarify, the “decisive moment” refers to a split second rather than a minute.

It's a flash of truth which otherwise would vanish forever, but for the skilled photographer’s instinct and training.

It's that fleeting instant when a photographer simultaneously:

• Sees a soon-to-unfold scene
• Composes the frame
• Captures the action
• And creates a formal, emotional “picture story”

Yes, all of these elements come together in one split second. That’s the “decisive moment,” or images à la sauvette.

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908 to 2004) was the master of modern photography, the originator of street photography, and a founding member of the international photography collective, Magnum Photos.

Cartier-Bresson detailed the “decisive moment” in his monumental 1952 photobook, Images à la Sauvette. Complete with cover art by Henri Matisse, mais bien sûr.

(In our opinion, Cartier-Bresson's book and impact on the photography world overall cannot be overstated.)

Decades later, Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” still influences and inspires contemporary photographers including, of course, Paul.