User:Caylacrowder/sandbox

Biography
Platon (born Platon Antoniou, born 20 April 1968) is a British portrait photographer. His father (Jim Antoniou) was a Greek architect and illustrator. His mother is an art historian. Platon is currently married and has two children. He was raised in Greece and moved to England at the age of 8. Platon studied graphic design at Saint Martin's School of Art where he encountered his first experience with photography. He went on to receive his masters in fine arts from the Royal College of Art where he met his instructor and mentor, John Hind of Vogue.

Career
After leaving college in '92, Platon began in fashion and portraits. Platon left London for New York to begin his commercial career with John Kennedy Jr at George magazine. Some of Platon's commercial work including photographing for Levi's, IBM, Nike, and Motorola, along with companies such as Timex, Tanqueray, Kenneth Cole, and Rayban. His photographs have also been featured on the cover of well-known magazines including TIME, Esquire, and George. In 2008 Platon became a staff photographer for the New Yorker, filling the spot of Richard Avedon. He would handle large scale portfolios such as his first assignment, a portfolio of the Little Rock Nine celebrating the civil rights movement.

Aesthetic
Platon's father helped him develop an understanding of form and texture through the principles of Modernism reflected in his no distraction style. His graphic design education influences how he takes his photographs by shooting with the final graphic treatment in mind. Platon aims to capture the truth, to find it in the subject and bring it out. He works with limited sessions for photo shoots, the less time the better making the photograph more intense and authentic.

The People's Portfolio
Platon founded The People's Portfolio, a non-profit organization. Platon photographs those who are fighting for civil and human rights, giving a voice to those who are unheard. His portfolios include photographs of Burmese victims and exiles, Egyptian revolutionaries, and those fighting against oppression in Russia. Platon has also photographed and interviewed women from the Congo who have experienced sexual violence. He has collaborated with the Human Rights Watch, The New Yorker, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, ExxonMobil and the UN Foundation. Through the People's Portfolio, Platon amis to raise awareness of those facing oppression.

Publications
Platon published books include Platon's Republic, Service Platon and Power Platon. Service Platon is a collection of photographs that highlight the physical and psychological wounds and courage of soldiers and their families.

Notable Photographs
Platon has photographed many well known leaders. Bill Clinton was the first president that he worked with and photographed. Other photographers of well known leaders include Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Muammar al Qaddafi, Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, and Muhammad Ali.

Notes:

Bio


 * brought up in the greek islands
 * mother is an art historian
 * father was an architect
 * married with two children
 * arrived in England at the age of 8 years old

His work


 * photographs well-known leader including Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Muammar al Qaddafi, Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Muhammad Ali
 * photographs have been featured on the cover of Time magazine
 * photos have been on the cover of Time, Esquire, and George magazine
 * full name is Platon Antoniou but is known as Platon
 * Bill Clinton was the 1st president he worked with and photographed

His style


 * in his photographs, Platon focuses on lighting, the position of the camera and the eyes of the perosn he is photographing
 * Platon still shoots with film

Education


 * studied graphic design at St. Martins School
 * masters in fine art at Royal College of Art

Accomplishments


 * Platon founded The People's Portfolio
 * has several books including: "Platon's Republic", "Service Platon", "Power Platon"
 * worked for the New Yorker