Dario Vergos

I am Dario Athanasio Vergos, born in Catania in 1985, a blend of Sicilian and Greek roots that has uniquely shaped my identity and vision. My passion for photography began to manifest in early childhood, an irresistible call to capture life’s fleeting moments through the lens. This call led me on an extraordinary journey from the vibrant streets of Siracusa, where I nurtured my artistic talents, to the renowned Leica Academy in Athens, Greece, where my professional path truly began to take shape.

In 2006, I took a decisive step towards fulfilling my passion by moving to Athens to study at the Leica Academy. This period was a transformative time for me, both emotionally and professionally. The rigorous academic and practical training I received, guided by world-renowned photojournalists and experts in reportage and fashion, ignited an even deeper passion for photography within me. Athens, with its rich cultural tapestry and hidden stories, became my first grand stage for photo reportage, allowing me to explore and document the world through a new lens.

My journey took an adventurous turn in 2008, leading me to document the civil unrest in Athens with raw honesty. This experience was just the beginning of a broader exploration that would take me to Madagascar in 2009. There, I immersed myself in the local culture, documenting the harsh realities of poverty, the daily lives of those living with leprosy, and the simple, yet profound, joys of community life. My work in Madagascar, particularly the "Wild Kids" reportage, offered a deep, unfiltered look into the lives of the youth in Ivato's juvenile prisons and highlighted the strength and dignity of the Malagasy people.

Today, my mission is to explore the depths of human experience, capturing the truth in its many forms. Through both photo and video reportage, I strive to be a bridge connecting different worlds, inviting viewers to see through my eyes. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the connections made, and the unforgettable experiences at the Leica Academy and beyond. My journey is a testament to the power of photography as a medium for social change and understanding, a journey that I continue with an open heart and an eager lens.

Life, with its unpredictable twists, led me to temporarily step away from my camera. Yet, my passion for photography remained undiminished. In 2023, I found myself embarking on a new chapter in Malaysia and Borneo, where my ongoing projects continue to shape my career and worldview. Photography, for me, is more than just capturing images; it’s a relentless pursuit of stories that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.