Pets and Stray animals: Basic Training Course in Urban and Documentary Photography
- Esai En Roi
- Dec 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Skyrthalia vol. II – PAWsitive Parks | 3–4 December 2025Villa Mordoch, Thessaloniki
The international volunteering project Skyrthalia vol. II – PAWsitive Parks officially began in Thessaloniki on 3 December 2025, launching a 20-day Volunteering in Teams activity under the European Solidarity Corps and the compact action “Be Sustainable, Sportive and Cultural.”
Responding to Thessaloniki’s persistent and complex challenge regarding stray and companion animals—shaped by low sterilization rates, limited funding, public health risks, and long-standing social neglect—the project brings together young volunteers from Greece and across Europe to work at the intersection of urban sustainability, animal welfare, culture, and education. Its two core priorities are:
Green practices for sustainable urban environments, and
Protection, care, and support of pets’ quality of life in the city.
Training at Villa Mordoch: From Theory to Practice
The first two days of the project (3–4 December) were dedicated to a basic training course in urban and documentary photography, hosted at Villa Mordoch, a landmark cultural space in Thessaloniki. The training was designed to equip volunteers with the skills needed to document urban realities and the presence of companion and stray animals in public spaces in an ethical, sensitive, and meaningful way.
The training combined morning theoretical sessions with afternoon practical fieldwork, encouraging participants to move seamlessly from observation to action. Ice-breaking activities and team-building exercises, coordinated by ESAI EN ROI youth workers Mariam Sanikidze and Saba Khutsisvili, created a collaborative and trusting learning environment from the outset.
Photography as Social Observation
The photography workshop was led by Nikos Pantis, professional photojournalist and member of the Greek Photojournalists Union, whose long-standing collaboration with ESAI EN ROI continues to enrich the organization’s educational and cultural initiatives.
As Mr. Pantis reflected on the training, the first day focused on defining the purpose of the photographic activity: what stories we want to tell, where meaningful moments can be found in the city, and how cameras or mobile phones can be used effectively to achieve strong visual results. Particular emphasis was placed on:
photographic composition and the use of light,
visual storytelling in urban environments,
ethical approaches when photographing stray animals and pet owners in public spaces,
respect for privacy and personal data protection.
Following the theoretical input, volunteers explored the New Waterfront of Thessaloniki, applying their knowledge in practice by photographing both stray animals and animals accompanied by their guardians, observing behavior, interaction, and the shared urban environment.
Collective Reflection and Learning
On the second day, participants reviewed and discussed their photographs together. Selected
images were projected and analyzed collectively, with constructive feedback on subject focus, framing, and narrative strength. The goal was not only technical improvement, but also deeper awareness—helping volunteers concentrate on the stories they wish to highlight and the messages their images convey.
The session concluded with an open discussion, addressing participants’ questions and offering guidance on additional locations in the city where stray animals can be encountered responsibly and respectfully.
Laying the Foundations
This initial training laid the groundwork for the project’s upcoming activities, which will include creative workshops, public performances, educational visits to schools, research, and awareness actions across Thessaloniki. Photography will remain a key tool throughout PAWsitive Parks, supporting documentation, reflection, and dissemination of the project’s social and environmental impact.
With strong participation, meaningful exchange, and a shared sense of purpose, the first days at Villa Mordoch set the tone for a project that seeks to transform observation into empathy—and empathy into action—for a more caring and sustainable city.
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Trainers’ Biographies and Added Value
George Fotiadis – Professional Photographer & Photojournalist
George Fotiadis has been a professional photographer and photojournalist since 1993 and is based in Thessaloniki. He has extensive experience in documentary-style photography, undertaking photographic coverage of social, cultural, and personal events across Greece. His work is strongly rooted in photo reportage, characterized by a discreet and unobtrusive approach that allows events to unfold naturally, without staging or interruption.
His photographic style emphasizes authenticity, emotional depth, and visual storytelling, combining creativity and imagination with technical precision. Alongside candid documentation, his work also includes carefully composed portraits, outdoor photography, and classic family images, offering a complete and coherent visual narrative.
Added value to the training:Within Skyrthalia vol. II – PAWsitive Parks, George Fotiadis contributed expertise in documentary observation and ethical photography, guiding volunteers to approach public spaces, people, and animals with sensitivity and respect. His experience helped participants focus on authenticity, discretion, and narrative clarity when documenting urban life and companion animals.
Nikos Pantis – Professional Photographer & Photojournalist
Nikos Pantis has been a professional photographer and photojournalist since 1991 and is a member of the Greek Photojournalists Union. From 1997 to 2004, he collaborated with newspapers and magazines, covering political, social, cultural, and sporting events. Since 1994, he has also documented concerts, dance performances, and theater productions, developing a strong visual language that bridges documentation and artistic expression.
Over the past decade, he has specialized in sailing and maritime sports photography, covering numerous World and European Sailing Championships in Greece and abroad. His work has been presented in seven solo photography exhibitions and more than ten group exhibitions.
Added value to the training:In PAWsitive Parks, Nikos Pantis brought deep expertise in urban and documentary photography, focusing on composition, light, and visual narration. He guided volunteers in using photography as a tool for social awareness, emphasizing ethical practice, respect for privacy, and responsible representation—particularly when working with vulnerable subjects such as stray animals.
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