Paul Shiakallis was born in Johannesburg in 1982 to parents of Cypriot descent.
At age 15, his father handed down his trusty old analogue Canon FT 35mm camera. Shiakallis' first ever subjects were of flowers & TV screens. After High School he completed one year of Journalism at the University of Johannesburg, then transferred to Tshwane University of Technology to study Commercial Photography for 3 years. He then assisted both local and international photographers for 5 years.
Shiakallis has shot commercially for numerous ad agencies in South Africa for brands such as MTN, National Geographic, Phillips, Nashua, Coca Cola & Mercedes
His most prestigious project 'The Queens of Marok', based on the women of the African Heavy Metal Scene in Botswana, has been published by over 35 online & print publications; most notably by i-D Mag USA; The Guardian Newspaper UK; New York Mag USA; De Volks Rant Newspaper Holland; Refinery 29 Mag USA; Bird in Flight Mag USSR & The Mail and Guardian Newspaper SA
Currently based at his studio in Parkview, Johannesburg, Shiakallis works on personal and commercial projects and periodically teaches at The Market Photo Workshop in Newtown.
