POLYCHRONIS NIKIFORAKIS made his first steps in photography in a very young age under his father’s guidance (Michalis Nikiforakis, E.FIAP) and ever since he has been actively and consciously involved in photography by taking photos and participating in competitions held in Greece and abroad. He had his first distinction in Greece (silver medal) in 1989, in the annual competition of the Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete. Since then he has won in national competitions 13 gold medals, 7 silver, 12 bronze, 20 commendations, 10 acceptances in exhibitions with 20 different photographs.
In 2000 he was elected in the board of the Hellenic Photographic Society of Crete and ever since he holds the position of General Supervisor. Along with that he has been teaching in the seminars for young photographers which are organized every year by the Photographic Society of Crete.
In 2001 he had his first distinction abroad and since then he has won 10 medals, 200 acceptances and many entries in catalogues of international competitions with 70 different photographs. In May 2006 he was entitled Artist Photographer (A.FIAP) of the Federation International de l’ Art Photographique for his long and lasting participation in international contests of Art photography accompanied by numerous distinctions.
Since January 2007 he has been a member of UNESCO. In April 2007 he was awarded his first star in colour photography, and in June 2007 his second star by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) for his distinctions gained in competitions organized by the Society.
Until now he has taught in many seminars organized for school teachers, dentists, municipal officers and others in order to help these people acquire basic photographic skills. Along with these activities, since 2003, he has been teaching photography in “PAGRITION” High School, introducing photography to young students and organizing photographic exhibitions with his students’ works.
As a photographer, he has taken part in many group exhibitions held in various parts of Crete and in the rest of Greece. His photographs are part of the group exhibition of the internationally awarded Cretan photographers which is presented in various parts of Greece and abroad.
Some of his photographs can be found in two publications: a)The Woman On Crete, George Panayiotakis and b) Episkopi Pediados, Michalis Nikiforakis. At the same time some of his photographs have been included in locally printed calendars (1997, 1998, 2000)