When I started taking portraits of adults, often I would offer two options. I would ask if they wanted to appear partially hidden such as being surrounded by leaves (if we were outdoors) or by a sheet or a curtain (if we were in a studio), or if they would prefer a close up in front of the camera.
This was rather amusing since “covering” people can be like a game and I was even more surprised that my subjects enjoyed it. This game works for both of us. People are less nervous, much more relaxed and it is much easier to get a spontaneous smile or a funny face.
This helped me better understand that the photographer must have a clear idea of the type of portrait he or she wants but not to forget to play and keep the person comfortable. Every interaction is unique and every subject deserves to have a relaxed session.
I wonder from where other people take their inspiration. For me inspiration comes from a reaction in my mind and is something more visual. Such a reaction is created from studying other people’s work.
I am inspired by :
– listening to photographer’s tips and interviews ;
– focusing on certain kind of colors ;
– looking at images ;
– walking in the nature or when lying in bed ;
– the solitude through the night.
The following photographers have had a huge impact on my hobby: Robert Doisneau, Martine Franck, William Eugene Smith; Jacques Lowe, William Klein, Eudora Welty, Walker Evans, Letizia Battaglia, Jane Brown, Horst P. Horst, Arthur Tress, Francesca Woodman, Oliviero Toscani, Ferdinando Scianna, Vaughn Sills, Hans-Peter Feldmann
It can be argued that either men or women had the greatest impact on the history and the development of photography. In my case I can say that I have been influenced more by male photographers. My early portraits were taken by Franco, a colleague of my mother who is a passionate photo amateur. All my technical understanding of the camera was explained to me by Carlo Urbani. Last but not least it was a couple of artist friends who suggested that I focus on children’s portraiture because the little subjects were quite relaxed, spontaneous, vibrant and empathetic. I realized that empathy is critical and it is the key to successful images. A big thank you to Corrado Sacchi and Stefano Cavazzini!
Raquel has an infectious zest for living and stands out for her optimism, and I believe she passed these gifts on to her son Eric! Despite the dullness and silence of that November day, the company of these two was so heart-warming and a real enlightenment! The breath-taking autumn colours at the Botanic Garden did the rest, becoming the second protagonist…Enjoy these memories!
We were close to Halloween and I accompanied Catrìona to Ayr, on her way to visit her brother Campbell. It was a good opportunity for us all to have a coffee and a chat with Wendy, followed by a walk on the beach, where I took a few photos of her kids. I have always loved the West coast, that impresses me with its wildness, the strong winds and wide open spaces. Enjoy these lovely memories!
I remember clearly the morning when I met Elisa for a coffee at Cappelli and she told me that she was expecting for the second time. There was also Mattia with us, her eldest son. On this occasion I saw a beautiful sparkle in Elisa’s eyes, she was radiant! Little Leonardo (Leo!) was in a hurry so he was born a month early, but this did not create a flaw, as he was just perfect and very much loved by his parents and a proud big brother!
I was delighted to have Elisa and the kids in the studio for a quick Welcome session to little Leo, who was, more or less, cooperative! Enjoy these beautiful memories!
“If we wandered around this world with the typical carelessness of a child who falls asleep in the middle of a crowd, this society would not even be able to worry us: no more than it would be able to affect the long and deep breathing of the child who is sleeping”- Christian Bobin
It is always great to have clients return for yet another shoot. I photographed several times Caterina & her beautiful duo over the years. This time they came to the studio where we used indoor lighting and a white backdrop to capture the beauty of her family. Not everyone was too keen on the shoot initially, but as we continued, they were won over and the fun started! Thank you lovely Olivieri fam for your continual support. May we keep on doing this for many years to come. I am looking forward to our next time together!
Erica, Ewan’s sister (= the groom in the previous wedding post!), has two wonderful children, Florence & George, with her husband Mark. I was delighted to take some photos of this close-knit family. Actually their photo-session turned out to be an “epic one” because of : 1) the location which was fantastic 2) so were the protagonists+ 3) we had a PROPER summer day in Scotland! The kids were cooperative during the photo shoot, and the whole setting worked in our favor. I think it was one of the best photo-shoots I’ve ever done! Thank you, Bramhalls, for trusting my photographic skills!
Hey, check this out…They are framed!
Spending time with Erica is a pleasure. I don’t say this only because she is one of my friends. I can say this because I see who she is for real: an honest, generous, adventurous and brave soul with a strong sense of duty and a caring attitude towards people. Yes, I really like her. I also enjoy spending time with her little two extensions, “King” George & “dancing princess” Florence.
It started like this : she wanted me to take picture of her kids because she had a good feeling about me. So a couple of years ago she chose me over thousands of choices. She trusted me from the beginning and this moves me almost to tears. I admire her sense of reality and pragmatism and I see the deep love and bond she has with her family. Photography allows people to create networks and to discover families ties and I had the chance to get to know a good part of her family and, trust me, they are amazing, enjoyable people.
When last night she texted me with the picture of the prints of the kids, I was delighted first with the results themselves (they are good shots) but also with a sort of pride coming from the fact of having my photos hanging on their living-room wall where all their guests can see them.
Time goes by quickly but more than a few things make us happy and will be remembered : friendship, good shots and prints!
Ewan is Scottish and Patricia is Northern Irish and they are both warm and friendly people. They were married in Prestonfield House in late June 2019.Taking the photos on their wedding day was an honor, which came with a good amount of stress (well, that’s me!). This was my 5th wedding as photographer (and the 3rd one made abroad) and I was the only shooter. Also, I hadn’t been to this venue before so it was a “whole new game” for me, but things turned out pretty well! Weather wise, summer is tricky in Scotland, but these guys picked up the perfect day: it was sunny and warm all day long and in the evening we had a pleasant breeze. I remember Patricia saying more times during the course of the day: ‘It’s the most beautiful day we could have hoped for. We don’t want it to end!’.
It was moving for me to witness their love, which is deep, concrete, simple and based on effective communication, mutual understanding and a very good friendship. Their families and friends rocked it out too!! Even though it sounds cliché, it was a beautiful day, made by awesome people and by real moments. It felt like I was spending time with amazing people rather than working on the day. And yes, I felt so privileged to have had the opportunity to capture Patricia & Ewan’s big day! I really hope I could do your memories and expectations justice with this.
Patricia & Ewan, I hope you are having the best life in Northern Ireland!
In April 2019, I posed in front of the camera of a my friend and talented photographer, Michele Galloni in his studio. Back then, the most challenging and tumultuous time of my life had begun. Looking at these images now, these shots make me smile, as I relive my unawareness and somewhat naivety. Thank you, Michele, for these memories and long live to photography as a medium that won’t let us forget what we have been going though and achieved!
Lola and Fiona were born in Scotland to French mothers. Their mums, Valérie and Blandine, were my colleagues in the first call centre I worked for, after moving to Scotland in 2017. These two girls had never met before, but there was only a year’s difference between them and…I was looking for subjects to photograph! So we let the girls have a play session together and I tried to take some portraits of them. A few weeks earlier, I had bought a film camera, a second hand Nikon F801s (model produced between 1991 and 1994) in the legendary shop Cameratiks of Morningside and I was itching to try it out! The conditions to go for it weren’t ideal: it was winter time, I didn’t have the flashlight, I took most of of the photos indoors, with a low lighting and… I hadn’t read the manual!! Well, despite what could have been the ingredients for a disaster, the situation turned out in our favor: thanks to the manual use of the camera plus some wise editing, we made it! The girls tied up quickly and, apart from their charm and spontaneity, I was struck by Fiona’s interest in photography and Lola’s exuberant leadership!
Enjoy these beautiful photo memories. I wish analog cameras a long life!
It was a joy to have Irene & Francesca in the studio. The photo session ran smoothly, it was quick and we got lovely photos as results. Irene had the most beautiful blue eyes and was a curious bundle of joy. Congratulations Francesca and Massimo! What a privilege you have to be parents!
Slightly numerous are the occasions where these two sisters argue however, they certainly make up quickly and they both have a deep sense of fun! When I took these photos, we weren’t even close to carnival time, but it was great to admire their improvisations on the subject!
Carlotta was one of the first people I spoke to in our first year at university (back in 2002!)! We were in line to attend a course presentation and we just started to chat and we eventually became friends. Later on, we did the Erasmus year together, which was a milestone for our lives! Although we made different life choices, we kept in touch throughout the years.
It made good to see her realise her big dream, that of a family. Now Carlotta is the undisputed “queen” of her three boys, her husband and her kids. It made me real proud to be called on as a photographer to take some shots of her lively treasures! Pietro’s cuteness and his cheerfulness were an hymn to life, whilst Dario was the brother that everybody would have wanted to have, as being responsible, careful, affectionate and extreeemely patient!! Enjoy these lovely memories dated September 2018!
I admire photographers who empower their subjects, I just can’t. When I try to direct people while shooting, I realise that there is always something which I can not control. When I focused mainly on children’s portraiture, this became even more unpredictable. I basically follow the kids natural instincts and then usually obtain some good results!
“From his first steps to his biggest leaps, I’ll always be cheering him on” – Sirisha Sattoor
There is nothing like a follow-up shoot to apply the pressure on me to excel as a photographer. I had taken photos of Mattia already, in 2017 and in 2018. Now, on this occasion, he was 4 years and a half. I wasn’t really nervous about this one as Elisa, Mattia’s mum, she is one of my besties as when I am with her I get relaxed, however, this time I wanted to perform to get the same kind of result of 2017. Or better. Honestly, I couldn’t be more proud of this portraits serie. I find poignant and touching the purity and strength of the love between Mattia and his mum! Enjoy this loving, lovely photo memory!!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 