Bio, Petros Ktenas
The first and last light of the day to me is the most breathtaking. Opening a portal into the minds eye and transporting you to another place. I try to fill my lifestyle advertising images with this warm glow, always aiding the natural light to sculpt meaningful, conceptually driven visuals. Location's whisper their secrets from times gone by, echoing their story throughout the image I have handcrafted. I’m a visual artist, a sculptor of light, painter of colour, and composer of mood.
Crafting stills and motion for advertising clients and art directors all over the world. Composing elements that please the eye and in turn please the viewer’s emotions. Like a feather on the breeze let my images take you on a journey to another place, whether down mountain rapids or over cool winter lakes, calm open vistas to rocky alpine peaks. I try not to let human elements overpower the raw natural beauty of the world I am building visually. If I were reborn an animal, I would be an eagle and fly high - 2016, PK
Photography is something that has filled all the gaps in my life when I realised there was something missing. It’s an obsession to replace my previous one. Rugby was my life and when I couldn’t play anymore, photography was it’s natural replacement.
I grew up in Wollongong, Australia, a lovely beachside city, about an hour south of Sydney. I remember vividly the day I moved to Sydney to pursue my Rugby Union career, I was 17 years old with big aspirations. The world seemed to be my oyster. Some injuries later, and I was sidelined from playing forever. That is when I picked up the camera to fill the void for the first time and literally reinvented myself. I used the determination and commitment I once had for my sports career to drive me in a new direction and haven’t looked back ever since. I went on to study photography/retouching at CATC in The Rocks, Sydney where I graduated with a Diploma of Photoimaging and then on to Raffles College of Design and Commerce gaining an Associate Degree in Arts (Visual Communications and Photography).
I assisted and interned with Gary Sheppard for almost 4 years and went onto producing some of his award winning international Automotive and Lifestyle ad campaigns. He inspired, encouraged and nurtured my own image making and gave me a set of working habits that have helped me succeed on my own. I don’t think there is a better mentor in Advertising Photography out there.
“I’m glad I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference” – Robert Frost.
The idea of becoming an Advertising Photographer / Director is now my reality and I am truly grateful. I ended up staying in Sydney and have now lived here for almost 13 years. A great place to call home, giving me ideal access to all the Asia Pacific locations that I shoot ad campaigns in. I shoot pictures, trying to make the ones today better than yesterdays. I am truly humbled to have this life.
Over the years I have worked with some fantastic Ad Agencies and Art Directors from all over the world and had the great fortune to work on some great assignments for clients including Modibodi, Foxtel, Stan, Google, Kia, MG, Audi, Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Hyundai, Renault, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Innocean WW, Lavender, 303MullenLowe, Highland Park Whisky, Nando's, H&T, UMM, Hogarth WW, Society, Heinemann Duty Free, ILVE Appliances, Four Seasons Hotels, Sony, SBS World Movies, Burnaid, Heart Foundation, Loyds, Centenary Institute & Greenpeace - to name a few.
