He was born in Kormista in 1877, his father was the doctor of the village

(probably uneducated but widely experienced) while his mother came from a wealthy family. He was drawn towards art, particularly photography from his early years. This fact was very important since this art was cultivated in the capital of Hellas and other cities of the freed country, but in few towns of the enslaved part of the country, i.e. Thesalloniki, Mitilini, Chania, Samos, Smyrna.

     His professional action must have started quite soon, as there exists a large picture (approximately 1 m high) dating back in 1906, presenting the Bishop of Drama (who later became Chrisostomos of Smyrna) visiting Kavala. For this photo to be created, one had to have special technical knowledge, since the size is very big, Mr. Iatridis was aware of its value as well of his artistic rights so he wrote on the side of the picture that it shouldn’t be reprinted (this picture exists in his files today). He was self-taught in this art; his natural talent and creativity helped him become better in his technique. He was awarded a diploma of patent for the taking of multiple photographic poses.

     He moved to Proti before 1910, after marrying Elpiniki Kotsani. He used to take pictures of all the area, moving from one village to another on animal back (horse, mule). He loved taking pictures of weddings, festivals and social gatherings; at the same time he took pictures of everyday activities, agricultural works, various professions, archaeological sites, panoramic views of villages and towns and generally of anything that seemed important to his camera. He also took pictures of the Macedonian fighters of the wars in 1912-13, and often followed them in various military operations.

     It was then that he moved to Kavala with his wife in order to exercise his job in better conditions. Despite his permanent residence in Kavala though, he often travelled to the area of Proti-Kormista, where his parents and his parents-in-law still lived. During these trips he took numerous photos either after request of from personal interest, and developed them in his studio in Kavala. His children Erasmia, Giorgos, Anastasia were born in Kavala, and his daughter Urania (from his first marriage) grew up there. His studio gradually became famous and existed until the war of 1940.

     His elder daughter Urania was his assistant, as she had learned the whole procedure of developing pictures; she mainly dealt with the retouching of the pictures, a technique in which Iatridis paid great attention, so as the soft tones and shading would be created. From that period we can find in his records not only pictures of the society of Kavala taken in the studio, but also views of the town taken from a height (particularly from Prophet Ilia), and pictures of the region of Panagias; furthermore we find photos of tobacco factories, the harbour, sights, and other interesting sides of everyday life. After the breaking out of the Second World War his two elder daughters left for Thesalloniki and Athens with their husbands.

     He, however stayed in Kavala with his younger children Giorgos and Anastasia. At that time the tragedy of their sudden death struck him. He closed down his studio immediately, abandoned his four houses (that he had bought for his four children in 1917) and moved to Proti with his wife. He continued working and travelling around. His house next to St. Paraskevi’s church was turned into a studio with the dark room in the basement. He lived in Proti during the civil war and for the rest of his life, until his death in 1953. During those difficult years he often visited his daughter Urania in Thesalloniki; his wife Elpiniki lived until 1978 in Proti, except for her last two years that she spent in Athens.

     The present biography was written by Elpiniki (Nelli) Misirli, Dr. Of History of Art, University of Munich, and curator of the National Gallery of Athens, who is his granddaughter from his daughter Urania Dimosthenopulou. Her grandfather’s life was made known to her by her mother who used to be his assistant in Kavala; Mrs. Misirli herself was very closely related to him during his visits to Thesalloniki and while she was visiting Proti on summer vacations. She was also helped by Erasmia Beikou (daughter of Iatridis who lived in Athens) on some details. The family also includes Elisabeth Karaulani, daughter of Urania as well. My grandmother Elpiniki wished this photographic record that includes numerous photos, to be given to the Village council, so that every one could see them.

     Iatridis’ family believes that it is very important for the village and the history of the area to be a part of the pictures in this record.

Dr. Nelli Misirli

Curator of the National Gallery Writer

Athens, 25/08/1997