Elena>Campbell, a video interview [Scotland, 2021]

Freak-out moment, this is an interview-share!! I needed a tandem, somebody to back me up in this project and Campbell accepted to be part of the game. I wanted to make a small video where I was saying something about my photography but I was not brave enough to do it by myself. So I asked him if he would like to be involved in a few questions between amateur photographers, a sort of “Ask anything of” about our approach to photography.

I was curious and wanted to have a try: I did not know whether the video format would be suitable for me. So Campbell and I (we are both shy!), decided to display an insane self-confidence and put ourselves in this teaser, asking each other a couple of questions, after studying each other’s portfolio.

Now there is some excitement in the air : have we done something meaningful? Is my English good enough ?! What we know at this stage is that it was a formative experience for both of us. We have encouraged each other to prepare this mini-interview and also to think about our answers. It was a challenge to step up to the “battle field”, without any serious expertise, talking, being ourselves, eventually preparing to receive some feedback and still trying to enjoy the process.

A few words about Campbell Montgomery:

Apart from being my “partner in crime” in this project, Campbell is the brother of one of my best friends. I met him through her a couple of years ago. He is a young man and a passionate amateur photographer. If you visit his website : you will realise his raw artistic talent. He focuses on landscapes, nature and abandoned places. I find that his images are really classy and elegant and pick up the details in an exquisite way.

Antonella [Firenze, 2015]

“Usually posing in front of the camera makes me shy, but while I was shooting with Elena, I was feeling very comfortable. We hadn’t met each other before but we immediately established a good connection”- Antonella

I remember two random facts about the afternoon of February 2015. I was in Florence to visit a friend : she had introduced me to her room mates, one of them being Antonella, and I had the camera with me. Chatting with Antonella, I asked if she would fancy a shoot and she agreed. I had no great expectations nor big plans in my mind, I just wanted to have some fun. The result was good : Antonella revealed she had acting skills, but was still spontaneous, and there was a relaxed, “good vibes feeling” during this session. Enjoy this memory!

Laura [Parma, 2014]

I find that Laura’s beauty is algid and iconic. She likes fashion and knows how to dress with gusto, in all circumstances. I am always keen on working with her and she has always been happy to pose for me as a model, perhaps because we both feel like we are going back to the past, when we played together as children. These shots were taken in Carlo Urbani Foto Studio, in December 2014.

EAP Marketing campaign [Parma, 2014]

“If you want something done, do it yourself”…How many times have I heard this phrase in my life? Luckily for me, I have never lacked of good ideas, as well as the ability to ask for help in case of need, so in November 2014 I hired my neighbours, who are friends, to help me promote my photography business. The pictures below can prove our motivation…Hip hip hooray, teamwork!

Capbreton [Landes, 2014]

In 2014, I worked in the Basque Country for a couple of months. This part of France has remained in my heart. I cannot forget the beauty of the hinterland, the green hills, but at the same time I was ravished by the beauty of the coast, by the vastness of beautiful beaches which are a Paradise for surfers. Nor can I deny a sense of belonging or closeness to the sea, which I still feel strong in me.

Portraits serie in Galloni photo studio [Parma, 2014]

The change from photographing someone to being photographed as a model can be quick! Here I am, in these fancy pictures dated September 2014, taken by photographers Michele & Luciano Galloni. The difficult point for me it’s not choosing the smart outfit or having the hair in order as…showing up with a smile on my face, being convinced that I will make it! However, as they say: “It is hard, until it’s not!”, you just have to lean into it. Thanks, Michele, for these classy and sharp photos ❤️

Toddler at the park [Parma, 2014]

I never stop being amazed by the facial power of expression of children and how suddenly it can change. This little girl, who had just turned 2 at the time of this photo shoot, said very few words but made herself understood clearly with her gaze! Her grandmother is a friend of my mother’s, so I offered to take some photos of her grand-daughter and we met in a park close by our neighborhood. The hour we spent together passed real quick, and after a short while, I noticed that the little one began to gain confidence and started to play freely with granny and Max (the smartest, kindest and most patient Poodle I have ever met), looking a bit mischievous but also as an accomplice! Enjoy these lovely memories.

Assunta [Parma, 2014]

I have only met Assunta a couple of times but “the thing” that I connect to her, it’s her smile. In the photos below, don’t you find that even when she is not smiling, she is actually…smiling?! I believe that this is a reflection of an inner, charismatic side of her personality. What also struck a cord with me about her, it’s her vitality, her lust for life. Enjoy these memories, dated September 2014!

Martina [Marore, 2014]

Martina is a sales person who loves her job and is committed to it, she is good at it. However, shall something not work out any longer on this direction, I can tell that she could make a living as a model! She has beautiful features, a good body shape and she knows how to dress. She is also quite relaxed in front of the camera. In 2014 she happily agreed to pose for me as a model, while Alice was making a video advert to promote my photography activity. That evening of September we got a magic Golden Hour light! Enjoy the results…

Delphine [Marore, 2014]

Delphine is from Normandy and is a cousin of my friend Claudia and she visited her in Parma. We met for a quick portrait session in Marore (just outside of Parma) one morning in September. After getting over the “awkward phase” (aka the first 10, 15 minutes of the shoot are the most strange and uncomfortable for the subject), everything went according to plan and we managed to have some lovely portraits as final results. Her eyes were beautiful and there was so much in them!

Alessia & Raffaella [Parma, 2014]

God could not be everywhere, therefore He made mothers ~ Jewish Proverb 

I babysat Alessia and her brother Marco for 5 years. And when I first saw her, she was 5 years old. Once I remember holding her in my arms to a doctor’s visit. Time has passed but I kept in touch with her parents as we became friends. It was a pleasure for me to take some photos of her and her mum Raffaella one evening in September 2014. They had recently moved house and there was plenty of free space near their new home and this is where we met. I really fancy the black and white shots!