Honorable Mention / 2023 / Portraiture / Culture

Swift-foot and Bürkit

For thousand of years, eagles became a valuable hunting companion across the northern steppes from Eurasia to China. It was fundamental for the acquisition of food and furs in the harsh, unforgiving winter months.“Our ancestors had three comrades,” goes the old Kazakh saying,“swift-foot and bürkit” (fine horse and eagle). Here is Eagle Hunter Jenisbek Tserik, a Multi-title champion in Horse Wrestling.

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