610: George Tatakis – Turning Creative Obsession Into a Thriving Photography Business

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George Tatakis of  www.tatakis.com was a rare and beautiful find for this podcast episode. It's rare to feature a European photographer on the podcast, particularly a photographer who shoots in the style and income-producing strategy of George Takais.

After exchanging a few emails, I learned enough to ask him to do this interview. I'm pretty sure we can all learn something from his entrepreneurial spirit and go-getter attitude.

To give you a little background…

He's currently bringing in well over $100,000 Euro through photography.

He's based in Greece.

He shoots exclusively in black and white.

He has multiple income sources, including selling his work through a gallery in Geneva, photographic book sales through Amazon, licensing fees for using his photography in commercial applications, partnerships with a travel company, selling work through museum shops, mentoring and portfolio reviews, and commissioned work.

He left his job as an electrical engineer to chase his dream of being a photographer.

It was a hard slog, but photography is now his primary source of income.

In this interview, George shares how he has been able to turn a creative obsession into a thriving photography business.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Engineer turned artist – Walked away from a safe career in Greece to chase what lit him up.
• Went all-in with nothing lined up – Quit the day job with zero income, but 100% belief.
• Slept in cars to chase the dream – No money, no plan B—just vision and a camera.
• Defied cultural norms – Ignored the voices saying “photography isn’t a real job.”
• Carved out a niche in Greek tradition – Found his voice in storytelling portraits that honour his roots.
• Built it on a shoestring – Couch-surfed, hustled, and made it work without money.
• That first dollar hit hard – It wasn't much, but it proved he could make this real.
• Saw business as the game-changer – Says 80–90% of success is business, not the camera.
• Heart-led obsession – The kind of devotion that keeps you up at night—in the best way.
• Hustled to build community – Ran photo walks, co-founded a creative hub, and made his own opportunities.
• Landed early brand deals – Sales savvy + great work = ambassador gigs and exposure.
• From candid to crafted – Evolved into powerful, stylised portraits with deeper stories.
• Persistence landed prestige – Followed up relentlessly and landed a solo show at the Benaki Museum.
• One exhibition changed everything – Led to international recognition and collaborations (including with a French publisher).
• Exhibitions brought credibility, not cash – But they opened bigger doors.
• Got into Athens Airport – Thought beyond galleries, pitched his way into a major public space.
• Licensing deals followed – Smart networking = his work on Hollywood film sets.
• Still grounded – Big wins, but still humble. Still surprised it all worked.
• Won’t compromise for cash – If a job doesn't align with his vision, he walks.
• Web presence matters – Uses his site and blog to connect, attract, and build brand equity.
• Now chasing film – Creative restlessness led to video—a fresh challenge with income potential.
• Future-proofing with video – Sees filmmaking as both creative evolution and financial smarts.
• Believes in hustle + heart – Luck helped, but action opened every door.
• Proved it’s possible—even in crisis – Built success in the middle of Greece’s economic mess.
• Only do it if you must – He’s clear: this path isn’t for dabblers.
• Sacrificed for the dream – Slept rough, kept going, never stopped.

Bride in Diafani, Olympos, Karpathos, Greece, by photographer George Tatakis

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

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Business is the biggest part of the journey. I mean, I would say that 80 or 90% of my time goes to the business side, and then it's only 10 to 20% which is the creative side. And I know that many artists don't realize that, and I think I'm blessed in a way that I started as an engineer. – George Tatakis

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

I think filmmaking is a more lucrative work in these days. I think that even social media move toward this direction of videos. I also find YouTube to be an exciting place to be, because I think you do work that lingers on the platform, actually. So for example, you can do the video today, and after a couple of years, people will still be watching that video, which is not the case with other platforms. Also, there is more money in creating videos. – George Tatakis

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

GREECE. Thrace. Issakion. 2020

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what George shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

You have to be where the opportunity lies, and then wait for luck to strike and give you the opportunity that you want to take. – George Tatakis

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask George, or a way to thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

Karagouna costumes of Trikala, Thessaly, Greece

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

I actually started by organizing a photo walk. Immediately after quitting my job, I thought to myself that if you want to be in this business, then you want to get to know people that revolve around photography. – George Tatakis

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

I would probably say that after five years, I started being able to fully fund the projects and be able to spend time in actual hotels myself. So I would say, like, for the first two years, maybe three, I was completely trying to do everything as free as possible, without hotels or that stuff. – George Tatakis

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

This week, a big shoutout to Donna Todd, who shoots equestrian photography art and was recently looked out of her Facebook account, finally got it back and has offered to help anyone who ever finds themselves in the same situation.

Here's the email chain we exchanged during her ordeal…

Dowry in Olympos, Karpathos by photographer George Tatakis

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

George Tatakis Website

George Tatakis on Facebook

George Tatakis on Instagram

George Tatakis on YouTube

95% is work, and then maybe five, up to 5% is luck. But this, you know, this small bit of luck goes a long way. – George Tatakis

Bride, Metaxades, Thrace, Greece, by photographer George Tatakis

Thank you!

Thanks for tuning in! Massive thanks to George for sharing the raw, real stories behind his creative journey. From sleeping in cars to landing exhibitions in major museums and airports. His path proves you don’t need a trust fund, perfect timing, or a Plan B—just obsession, grit, and a deep belief that this is what you’re meant to do. What an inspiration.

I think that in this kind of in this line of work, if you are not extremely excited about creating art, then business will not work. – George Tatakis

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

George Tatakis with Nea Vyssa Girls

I had the realization how business workw before starting to pursue something in art. I think people that start by going to a fine art school, for example, don't take into consideration the business part or the marketing that is needed. I think this can be the problem for them. – George Tatakis

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