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 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!
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)!
When I was young 😁 and started taking pictures, my core beliefs were: natural light and prime lenses. “Growing up”, throughout the years, taking tons of pictures of several subjects but also posing as a model, I started to see things differently. I discovered that I love working in studio 😙 I realised consequently how essential it is to know how to use lighting indoors, the importance of leading the subject(s) (gaining the subject’s trust) and of having developed a posing system.
I have gained so much from watching other professionals work, such as in this case Luciano and Michele Galloni, well known photographers based in Parma. Their experience level and use and of lighting was masterful, as well as their posing system. The first part of the shoot (dated February 2014) was corporate whilst the second part was pure portraiture. I had this blue jumpsuit (which I still have) that is one of my favorite clothes and I hoped to get some nice portraits. Result achieved: they came out real classy!
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!
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!
Photography, from ancient Greek, means “writing with the light”. I believe that this principle was fully realised during this photo session. The golden hour light on that late June afternoon was simply breathtaking: it was warm and delicate, and there was a breeze! It was not difficult to describe through a serie of photographs Daniela’s soul. She is sparkling and her proverbial smile comes before her. Thank you for posing for me, Dani!
Photos taken on 23/06/2013 on the banks of creek Parma.
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!
Shooting dated April 2013, in Parco Martini
Momma’s kisses are never enough!
Hey, this is my headset!
I have a complex personality and I am full of contradictions. I believe though that these contradictions have always been and still are a fertile ground that allows me to understand myself better, as well as others. I am shy and reserved but, at the same time, I am attracted by the beauty of the body. Throughout the early years of my photographic journey, I really was interested in boudoir photography and, for a short while, I thought that I would specialise in this genre. I have always admired statues in museums, seeking the perfection in their symmetry and in the naked body. So far, I have undertaken four intimate shoots and these are some of them. Most of us in the West don’t have a positive perception and we are embarrassed with our bodies. It is a taboo to undress in public. I am not suggesting that you should bear all, but try semi-naked to start 🙂 Also, this is fine art to me, there is nothing vulgar in it.
This is how Maria Buttafoco saw me. These pictures are dated April 2013.
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!
Marti, you are beautiful!
His inquisitive glaze
Spoilt momma’s boy!
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!
Ignite the mind’s spark to rise the sun in you – Florence Nightingale
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 