Eagle hunting was largely banned during Soviet rule in Kazakhstan as it was seen as bourgeois. More than a million Kazakhs died during the Soviet-inflicted famine in the 1930s when Josef Stalin's forced collectivization campaign and millions were imprisoned or exiled. The ancient tradition of Eagle hunting survived thanks to the Kazakhs & Kyrgyz that fled, and settled in western Mongolia and China. The connection between hunter and eagle is strong. Here is 6y old Alkan, admiring his famous Uncle Jenisbek Tserik, a Multi-title champion.
My name is Apostolos Kaloudis, and I'm an adventurer. I consider myself as an adventurer/explorer, rather than a photographer. When I was studying Medieval History, I was amazed by stories and details of military campaigns. Something that impassioned me later to go out and explore remote lands, such as the Silk Road, the vast Steppes & deserts of Central Asia & northern China or even former Himalayan Kingdoms.
In 2015, I joined the National Geographic Photography Community (natgeoyourshot), a great "school of photography".
Awards - Prix de la Photographie de Paris 2022 Bronze Winner + Honorable Mention for__Aymoldr the Eagle Huntress + Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- IPA 2022 Top 5 Selection Portrait__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- Tokyo International Awards 22 Silver Winner for__The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- Better Photography Magazine 2022 1xSilver + 3xBronze__Taming a mere Bird + Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds, Aymoldr the Eagle Huntress, The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters.
- Head On Photo Awards 2022 Finalist__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- N.Y Photography Awards 2022 2xSilver Award for__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds & Aymoldr, the Eagle Huntress
- Blank Wall Gallery Your Best Shot 2022 Bronze__Samanera (The Novice Monk)
- Kolga Tbilisi Photo Award 2023 Finalist__Swift-foot and Bürkit
- Prix de la Photographie de Paris 2023 2x Honorable Mention__Swift-foot and Bürkit & The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- TIFA 2023 Bronze Winner Sports for Swift-Foot and Bürkit
- Chromatic Photography Awards 2023__1st Place Winner & 3rd Place Winner for Swift-foot and Bürkit & The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- Head On Festival 2023__Landscape Finalists for The Balancing Castles
- ND Awards 2023_1st Place Gold Star Award__People Family_Wedding for The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- London Photography Awards 2023 Platinum Winner & Gold Winner for The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters & Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- reFocus Awards 2023 - Silver for Swift Foot & Burkit
- IPA 2023 - Honorable Mention for The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- VIEPA & BIFA 2023 Honorable Mention for Taming a mere Bird
- Better Photography Magazine__Photographer of the Year 2024__2xSilver for A Bond Beyond Words & Le Chant de l'Aigle [Eaglehunter Ardabek]
- Prix de la Photographie de Paris 2024 Silver Winner + Honorable Mention for Le Chant de l'Aigle [Ardabek & Ordabek, The Twins] & Le Chant de l'Aigle [Eagle Hunter Ardabek]
- Winners of AAP Magazine 41 B&W__Eaglehunter Huanjol, Last of his Name
