Throughout his career, love and devotion to cinematography have been the driving force for Yiannis Samaras' goal of honest and simple storytelling.Following in the footsteps of family members, Samaras started in the film business at the age of 15, working his way up through the camera department. In 1984, he graduated from film school and joined the union, working in Greece. At 21, he moved to New York City where he began working for BBC, PBS, HBO, and Liberty Studios, a special effects studio.In preparation for cinematography, Samaras studied Fine Art photography by specializing in portraits and nudes, experimenting with cross processing and colorizing. In his portraits, he captures the real world behind the human eye. From ordinary people to Rock Stars, Samaras photographs with an innate sensibility. His simple white light creates gorgeous nudes bringing to mind the beauty and elegance of Greek sculptures.From the late '80s to the early '90s, Samaras worked as a Lighting Designer in some of the best clubs in New York City and also designed lights for Off Broadway Theatre, Opera, Mime, and Dance. He also organized and presented visual multimedia shows involving lighting,slides, lasers, and live performers in the dynamic world of rave music.Following the tragic death of his wife, Samaras decided to leave New York. He tried Paris and Athens but soon realized he needed the warmth of southern California. There he enrolled in the American Film Institute where he graduated with a master's degree in cinematography in 1998He currently works as a Cinematographer, residing in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Michelle and their three dachshunds.
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