Photo-shooting even when your subjects keep on smiling, but what is making them laugh?
Following the example of an artsy and caring super-Momma, these beauties are growing fast and well. They are now two sparkling teenagers: both charming and strong-minded, artistic wise, they are showing off to be talented! They are happy and Yes, they love each other! It is a pleasure for me to document their life through the different stages 
I met Olivia at the beginning of the pandemic, we were colleagues in a call centre. I can tell that she was the best gift of that year to me. She only worked in the company for a few months before starting university (yep, she is 18 years younger than me!), but when we met the sparkle of friendship and understanding clicked, and we have stayed in touch since then. I have always appreciated her good nature and good faith, the sense of family & friendship that she has, her open-heartedness. Her affection lifts me up and her zest for life is skyrocketing! She also has a deep connection with photography, thanks to her mother!
I took pictures of her in November 2020. She had brought some of her friends with her, at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The setting was outstanding with such beautiful autumn colors and it was intriguing to watch them acting more as a knit family rather than friends! Enjoy these beautiful memories (and the short video below)!
and that came as a GOOD surprise…Olivia & Necka on PhotoVogue!
If you believe that this is a studio portrait, then you are wrong! It was taken outdoors at the Botanics on a cold day!! Another friend supported the black drape and we created an improvised studio setting.
Is their pose provocative? I don’t think so. This portrait reminds me of an old daguerreotype taken during the American civil war, two friends standing together, lost in time and almost sharing the same destiny…
The girls were just outstanding and they got a bit emotional when I told them that the shot had been selected for publication by PhotoVogue!
Thank you, dear Editors, for our shared delight Alessia Glaviano, Chiara Bardelli Nonino & Francesca Marani!!
I had not heard of him. I looked at one of his pictures in one of my phootgraphic books and was just fascinated. I wanted to discover who had taken this original and communicative image and I started to research him.
Malick Sidibé (Soloba 1935 – Bamako, 2016) was one of the first Malian photographers to work professionally from his own studio. Coming from a small village, he came to the big city (Bamako) where he started to work as assistant photographer in 1955 and he eventually opened his own studio in 1962. During a highly productive career he took thousands of photographs and worked progressively until old age. He has been identified as “la fierté du Mali et la mémoire du continent africain” (the pride of Mali and the memory of the African continent), as a journalist defined him.
I watched videos on the web, trying to collect as much information as possible and also went through some articles. Many people who knew him or his work say that joy is a predominant element and in his photos you can see this joyful and playful attitude towards life. He was also involved in documenting the social, economical changes that were happening in his country at the time (the way of dressing, the way of behaving, the status-symbols). He testified to the post-colonial awakening in the 60’s.
Sidibé has been described as a sociable person with a generous, outgoing personality who was able to empower his subjects while they were posing in an informal manner in front of his camera. Having a photo session in his studio seemed to be a social act, it was definitely a pleasant time spent together. I really think he had a good eye for capturing people in their lives and had an expertise for directing. He had many original ideas and a lively mind.
Thank you, Malick, for you contribution. Even in your black & white shots, you give color to photography and make it cheerful!
Inna Modja’s video, “Tomboctou”, inspired by Sidibé’s photography :
Photographer’s interview:
I feel honored to consider Stefano Cavazzini as a friend. He is an outstandingly talented photographer (even though he has never worked as a professional). He is also shy and humble. I believe that his work shows a stroke of genius and as an artist, he is a visionary, who goes out quite easily from a “commonly shared path”! His images remind me, somehow, of Francesca Wooodman’s photography. These shots were taken in August 2017, just before I quit Italy for Scotland. When I received them, I was blown away by these results! Grazie, Stefano, for sharing your talent and for your big heart!
A portrait dated 2017 of a dear friend, Marianne (1938-2021), who was my German teacher. She is now in heaven, however her unwavering sense of helpfulness, her mental strength, intellectual honesty and industriousness remains amongst us as her legacy.
Yanet was working in the wine industry. She asked me to take some corporate shots of her. The first part was taken in the studio whilst, for the second round, we chose as outdoor location the Botanical Garden, which was at its best at the beginning of the summer. I still remember her being extremely approachable, with a sincere, shy and trusty smile!
Elisa is family, she is the wife of my second cousin. She came to the studio as she needed some updated corporate shots for her cv, which we took. This something unexpected happened and the blank ink took the power!
It made good to have these two siblings in the studio. They were different character wise, but there was a deep, positive bond between them. And their gaze had a similar deepness!
Press yourself close
to the ground.
The earth
still smells of summer
and your body
still smells of love.
But the grass
is already yellowed above you.
The wind is cold
and full of thistledown.
And the dream which waylays you
shadow-footed
your dream
has autumn eyes.
– Poem by Hilde Domin
We played quite a lot in the studio during this portrait session. Elena’s big eyes and the blue hat won it all, eventually.
Sometimes life asks you to stand in front of a mirror and to look at yourself!
Elena was young, beautiful and approachable. I can tell that she has been a source of inspirations for many portrait photographers!
Back to the days when my silhouette was flawless and I considered myself glamorous! A grateful Thanks to Luisella of the brand Izabel Narciso for borrowing me this stunning tulle dress and to Alessandro for capturing wisely these shots that are a treasure!
Yumi was one of my favorite models, maybe that’s also why it became effortless to take pictures of her! She was gentle and sweet but also determined and dignified with a perfectionist side. She listened carefully and was able to focus quickly. Her skin was beautiful and her features were harmonious. I quite miss that time!
“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know” – Diane Arbus
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 