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!!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 