Yannis Behrakis

When you look at all the photos Yannis Behrakis has taken, how do you choose just one?

When looking through all of Behrakis photography I had a lot of emotions. His photos are one of kind. I don’t know if I could ever do what he has done as a photographer. I think to my self could I take a picture of a child in a box? - Or would I help the child. I wouldn’t think to snap the photo. If I see refuges swimming to shore needing help, would I help them? - Or snap a photo of them. A lot runs through my mind as I pursue my career in this field. Would I be able to snap the photo instead of doing what I know my conscious would be screaming at me to do.

I loved all of his photos but one photo that stuck out to me was the photo 'Forest Fires". Back in 2011,there was a terrible fire in Eagar AZ about two hours from my hometown. I’ll never forget my town helping get empty horse trailers and big trucks and driving to a small town outside of Eagar to help evacuate families and try to save as much as possible. I remember firefighting planes flying over and taking water to drop on the fire. The smoke was so thick, and I'll never forget the look on one of my friends faces. She stood there for a moment as we both made eye contact and tears started to run down her face as we both knew her family had lost everything they owned. 

This photo may not be super graphic as the photo I picture in my head of the day of the fire in Eagar, how dark and smokey and how red the sky was. This photo brings back memories and I honestly had not thought about the fire accident in a long time till I saw this photo.

The details of the water dropping, the firemen watching the water drop, and you can see just the hint of the smoke. The propellers on the plane look in action and yet not moving at all. I love this photo. 

I don't think Beharkis could of said this any better than he did.

 Photography can leave people speechless with its power and beauty. It can send a message to the audience, make people cry or laugh or both. It can make people feel guilty – or give money for a good cause. And it can make people think twice before pulling the trigger-Yannis Behrakis