Nikos Aliagas, currently the TV host of “The Voice” in France and a well-known personality himself, loves finding the “invisible side” of celebrities and showing them at their most human. The French-Greek entertainer’s successful career as a TV and radio host and journalist has allowed him to interview hundreds of stars, including Meryl Streep, Robert Downey Jr., and Angelina Jolie. After every interview, Nikos asks to take a quick black-and-white photo. In these photos, he shows the celebrities in a whole new light.

While Nikos has worked for years in front of the lens, his real passion lies in taking photos. “Photography’s gratifying to me because I know the price of being exposed, and I prefer to be behind the camera, it’s a hobby for me,” he says.

Nikos loves the classic look of black-and-white photography because he feels it captures the essence of a portrait. And every time he prepares to take a picture, he also looks for something different in the eyes or hands of his subject. “We all know stars know how to show the best side of themselves, but I really like to wait for the moment, a suspended moment, when they reveal the hidden part of themselves.”

Nikos has found that he gets all kinds of responses from his subjects. “The reactions of the celebrities are different. It depends on [their] mood,” Nikos says. With Meryl Streep, he had only 10 seconds to take her portrait. “During this moment, she was herself, but the moment was real, and she gave me something.”

He admits that he doesn’t know how to use Photoshop. “I’m not a professional of transforming images, but I try to find good light or natural light in the moment that I take a photo.” The results are stunning.

“It’s very exciting having the opportunity to take pictures of personalities and artists,” Nikos says, “and a few minutes after, sharing them on Flickr with thousands of people all over the world.” He hopes that when people see his photos on Flickr, they will discover a more human side of celebrities.

Visit Nikos’s photostream to see more of his photography.
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