Sarah was a niece of Gina, who was my landlady in England. In the summer 2014, this young lady was determined to take a career in modeling, therefore I had a couple of shootings with her, the 1st one below was at the Speen Moors Walk, when she came to visit her aunt in Newbury. Sarah had a graceful and elegant bearing, an all-around personality and was self-confident and natural in front of the camera. I really hope that she has made it!!
When I arrived in Newbury, in July 2013, Gina was really the first person I spoke to and who welcomed me. I rented a room at her place between 2013 and 2014. I still remember with delight her warmth and friendliness. In July 2014 I had the pleasure of taking some shots of her together with her husband John and one of their nieces in Victoria Park. Unfortunately, we lost touch over the last few years and it’s a real shame, because I really miss her smile and her laugh!
I consider this my first international wedding even though, technically speaking, it is my second! In 2014 I lived in England and Delphine and Mathieu reached me because of Parisian mutual friends who had recommended me!! After browsing my portfolio they contacted me. I remember that Skype call, months before the wedding, when they informed me that they expected a spontaneous, documentary approach from their photographer and that they really didn’t want posed portraits. I also recall a certain amount of pre-shooting anxiety on the train on my way to Paris😚 Guess what?! Everything went well: Delphine and Mathieu were warm, welcoming, uncomplicated and so in love! The weather turned out to be decent, the details and the decos were enchanting, their family (with the couple’s son, gorgeous baby Adam!) and friends were the soul of the party and their wedding venue was this magnificent “guinguette” where we enjoyed, till late, such a good music (this being one of Mathieu’s passions). Also, their wedding photo booth was a win! It was an honour for me to be part of their big day, and I mean it. Enjoy these memories!
In July summer 2014 I took the Eurotunnel, crossed the Channel and found myself off for a couple of days in Paris as I was hired for a wedding there!! This was also the occasion to catch up with friends who lived in La Capitale and I had the honor to take some portraits of dancer Mikaël. Taking photographs of dancers is easier on one hand, in the sense that there is no ‘direct’ interaction during the photo session. As a photographer, you stay silent, observing them and capturing their poses in pictures, even though your physical involvement is perhaps stronger, than in other types of photo shoots, as well as your inner focus (your concentration is extremely high). It is pleasing to observe Mikaël’s motivation, his passion towards this discipline and it is remarkable that he has managed to make his passion his work. Enjoy these memories!
Time ago, I heard somebody say: “When you are curious, you find plenty of interesting things to do”…. and this statement still makes sense to me, as these portraits of a very young Dario (who was 3 years old when they were taken) clearly support this thesis. I met him at the park with his momma, a longtime friend, on a hot summer afternoon. We had a chat and I got the chance to take some candid shots of this young explorer who is now a 13 years old! Enjoy these beautiful memories!
I have known these ladies for several years: they form a team and it always makes good to me to see them together! Alice has two amazing daughters. In July 2014, we met on a warm afternoon in Giardini di San Paolo to take some portraits to the girls, who were beautifully dressed. Our photo session was shortly interrupted by little Jack Russell Berto, who was proud to be the centre of attention for a few minutes, under the delighted eyes of Adele & Cloe.
I met Andreia the year I lived in Newbury. She was originally from Portugal, reserved but warm. It was easy for us to talk about our Expat experience in the UK and she gladly accepted to pose for me. I took these portraits of her in May 2014, the first part (corporate style) in a small park in the city, whilst the second part was in the wild Speen forestry area, close to the Kennet and Avon canal. The weather was not the greatest (euphemism!) but at least an overcast sky allows the shooter to work under a uniform light and I admit that the green of the forest was at its best, in that context. I like Andreia’s proud, brave look and her noble bearing, not to mention her big, thick hair! Enjoy these photo memories!
This post is for those who believe that happiness comes in a small, fluffy format! You may ignore though that Gizmo was extremely vocal and loud…To be a companion dog, he worked pretty well as a watchdog too 😆 This gorgeous Papillon belonged to our neighbors, whilst I lived in Newbury. I have watched him grow from a puppy to an adult dog and he was always sweet to me. Rose, enjoy these memories, dated May 2014!
Super fluffy ears!
Getting extra cuddles from his favorite photographer!
I took these portraits of Raffaella in April 2014. As location we chose a green area along via Budellungo. During that afternoon the weather was chilly and quite gray. However, this did not prevent us from taking some portraits, neither this stopped me from playing with some leaves around in order to create a blurry effect 🙂 Raffaella, you are so pretty and spunky too!!
In the past, I used to ask myself: “What do I do if it rains?!” (yikes, this was a moment of brief panic!). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like rain and, even now, on rare occasions I will be shooting under a grim weather. However, the take-away from this post is that…rain doesn’t mean you cannot capture beautiful portraits! Sometimes an overcast sky will allow bright colors and tones to emerge, in the subjects and in their surrounding environment…You just have to push the creativity button!
Shooting Laura and Filippo is always a pleasure, they are high school sweethearts who are still in love one with an other. They have different personalities that blend well and manage to have fun together! Communication works perfectly between them, on all levels, and you can see this from their photos 🙂
“I will spend the rest of my life assembling my own mind and my own soul. I will take care of my body carefully, not that it may any more please a man, but because it houses me and therefore I am dependent upon it” – Pearl Buck
I am thrilled to “undust” from my digital archives and to share on the blog some portraits of gorgeous Viviana, taken in April 2014 in Marore. Enjoy these memories!
In her gaze I could find courage, pride and strength. Thank you for this playful session, Adelina!
I am in love with love and I love working with couples, how clichéd is that to say?! I know! And I will go out on a limb and say that 2 for me is the perfect number to work with in a shoot! Maria & Juan, enjoy these memories, dated March 2014, taken in Reading.
Lorna is English and Hugo is French and…they are a brilliant combination!! I had the pleasure to take some couple portraits of them in March 2014, whilst I lived in Newbury. Enjoy these memories!
They are a family and…they are part of my family! They do better when they are together 🙂 Francesca, Marco, Elisa & Federico, enjoy these memories (dated March 2014)!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 