Krithi graduated on time and with honours in Interior Design. She took her duty as a student seriously, kudos to her! It was a pleasure to take her graduation portraits and to see the satisfaction of her family. Besides being brilliant in completing her studies, Krithi is also beautiful: she was stunning in her robe and don’t you think that she could be a model or one of the Bridgerton’s actresses? Would you say that she did the make-up by herself?! Congratulations, young lady, and thank you for trusting me as a photographer (it wasn’t easy to work for you!!). Blessing for both your professional and personal plans!
Before reading the article, you can find just below the Vimeo web link of a SUPER CUTE video advert made 10 years ago by brilliant film-maker Alice Carcelli, who is a friend mine. EAP stands for Elena Arvasi Photography and I am pretty sure that nowadays, this ad could pass for a “vintage” thing 🤪 Oh man, I still love so much that tune! My Italian accent whilst speaking English a bit less!! In your place, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch it!
Between 2012 and 2014 I seriously considered working as a freelance photographer. At the time this thought caressed my mind on several occasions! However, after careful reflection, I realized that this wouldn’t be an appropriate or fitting choice for me, on a long term basis. I believe that being a freelance is a matter of character. When you do this kind of job, you need to have the ability to financially support yourself. You have to be willing but also naturally predisposed to fight all the time, and this is a constant. You must be driven and an inner energy is pushing you towards reaching your goals. You need to establish a solid business mindset to deal wisely with numbers and pricing. You have to believe firmly in yourself but you also have be lucky when it comes about making good encounters and establishing purposeful connections (people or customers).
In hindsight, I do not regret my choice of keeping photography as a side hustle whilst my first income comes from a stable office job. I no longer feel the bitterness and the sense of frustration that hurt me years ago about the fact that my life’s purpose was not matching with my dream job. Over the last decade I have evolved, I have become more aware of myself and I have even discovered other passions! Don’t get me wrong, a big part of my heart is in photography and this activity gives me a purposes, it is a devotion, a kind of “service” that I am doing to other people. I have understood and accepted that the fact of not earning my life by “living the dream” doesn’t diminish my qualities or my talent nor label myself. Most of us, we have some form of artistic talent or skills, the important thing is to bring it out, somehow, to make an enriching experience it, to share it and to let it enlighten us.
Young freelancers, please note that this article doesn’t mean to discourage any of you from embarking on a beautiful and challenging career’s type. On the contrary, I admire, respect and cheer for some of you, but at the same time this is a realistic invitation to reflect on your character and needs, as life’s call demands us to discover ourselves and to open up to the world, to understand who we are and what our deepest, truest meaning is, staying honest and loyal to ourselves.
About the photo below, although you cannot see Alice’s face, hidden behind the camera, you can tell you that she was smiling!!
Alessandra & Domenico tied the knot on 19/10/2013. I was the solo photographer to shoot their wedding, it was one of my first ones and I was obviously nervous. The bride and groom had seen some of my photos taken during a ceremony earlier on that year, liked them, so they decided to hire me. The weather of that October’s morning was nor promising: it was foggy, coldish and the brightness in the brides home and inside the church was not flattering. However, Alessandra and Domenico made it real easy for me to work for me as they had every characteristic of a perfect couple: the were trusting, energetic, relaxed and very much in love! They were truly uncomplicated. I admired Alessandra’s wedding dress. Also, their families and guests revealed to be amazing and the venue they had chosen was stunning, an old villa on the top of a hill, just outside Parma. Enjoy these memories!
Living in the south-west of England for a year allowed me to discover how beautiful this part of the country is. Winchester cathedral enchanted me as well as its small characteristic streets in the town centre with their floral decorations, and their lovely shops. I got the feeling, at times, of living in a romantic past!
Elisabetta and I, we have known each other since we were babies. She is one year younger than me and our families were neighbors, so we grew up in the same building and when we were little, we played together an awful lot (a few old memories pictures added at the end of this article can prove it)! Even tough, over the years, we did lose touch a little, I did not miss the opportunity to ask her if she wanted to pose for me and she accepted.
We met in Marore in a late July morning. It was warm and the light was not ideal as it was strong, direct and harsh however, we still got a glowy effect. I like these outcomes: Elisabetta’s portraits are neat, spontaneous, non-sophisticated and I find that her gaze reveals dignity and determination.
Below my favorite…
…but I cherish also this one!
and now a blast from the past! Photos taken between 1987 and 1989…
Anne came to visit me in Parma, during the summer 2013. It was a hot July day, however that didn’t stop us from taking some portraits. The first part of the shoot took place on the banks of the Parma Creek where, under the bridge, there were some graffitis that matched with Anne’s dress! Whilst the second part took place in the city center. Anne has a supple and agile body and her blue eyes are magnetic!
It was a 25 April spent in companionship: we went to Thule and Dario’s house, in a hamlet in the hills above Torrechiara. A walk in the midst of nature and to finish, some music (with pictures)!
I first met her in 2011, when I went to her shop as a customer. Raffaella is a beautician (girls, just follow the link!) and it did not take long for us to connect and we have been close friends, especially over the past few years. I admire her loyalty, consistency, perseverance (she is a warrior!), her ability to listen and her compassion. Enjoy this lovely photo memory, dated April 2013!
You are taking pictures of a super busy two and a half year old kid, you just turn around for a moment, and suddenly you wake up, realizing that now this boy is a thirteen and a half years teenager! Photographers, how many times did this happen to you?! It was a pleasure to capture these shots of little (and back at that time he really was!) Giulio, the son of my friend and also photographer Francesca. What struck me was his inexhaustible energy, his stubborn determination, his focus on what he was doing and…within a few seconds, the expressions on his face would change in a pronounced way! Enjoy this lovely memory!
I did not know whether to name this post Poldo & Martina OR Martina & Poldo. Then I went on for putting the 4 paws little devil’s name first, as he definitely was the shining star and a determined drama actor during our shooting! In April 2013, Poldo was 5 months old (Martina had taken him a couple of months prior) but his connection with Martina was already incredibly strong. He was really protective towards her and feeling quite possessive. He hid a big personality in a tiny body. I have always liked Dachshunds: they are clever little warriors that can defend themselves forcefully, they are quite stubborn and fierce and…they live in a completely horizontal world! Enjoy their memories!
For those who don’t know, I have a green thumb and I have always liked flowers and plants. Also, I am a nature-wanderer. Back at that time, I was experiencing a photography phase where holding the camera in my hands and browsing around looking for something cute to immortalize would make me content. I didn’t really feel the need to have who-knows-what kind of subjects to capture. My life and my photography were more basic and simple. Enjoy those delicate images!
Blogging these old shots (dated March 2013) lets me remember that I have been in Paris quite a few times over the years. I deeply love this city but I would’t like to live there, it seems to be a dysfunctional relationship 🙂 There is a charm and a vibrancy that catches you so that you know you will always return!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 