Laura Fabiano has been in women’s clothing business since 2009. She still is into it, which is really remarkable. You can find her shop in via Nazario Sauro 35/A in Parma. Having a sales activity nowadays is a tough reality, however Laura manages to do what she does in her own business thanks to her proverbial tenacity and passion. She really goes “above” the business, putting her heart into the choice of clothes and accessories. I had the pleasure to take some portraits of her 2012/2013 collection in Cittadella, back in September 2012. With the involvement of two beautiful models (Thanks, Francesca and Viorica!) the shooting was a success.
This is the photo that struck me most of these sisters shooting. It will be because of its taste of a time gone, which is not so far away, it will because of Sara’s liveliness, of her spontaneous expression, of her curls flying in the air, of the speed that this imae generates, yes, well, the girls seem two fairies. Its title will be “Long live childhood”!
Sara and Martina are the daughters of my cousin’s husband from an earlier marriage and are, in an extended way, part of my family. In the summer of 2012, they were respectively 9 and 13 years old. I was struck by their liveliness, friendliness and their acrobatics skills: it seemed to me that they had NO limits in their flexibility! Sara was extremely lively, Martina was very sensible and was teaching her sister artistic gymnastics. Enjoy their photos, and copy them if you can!
About that August evening of 2012, I remember that we got a beautiful golden hour light. It was warm, but not crazy hot. The year before, I had taken some photos of Matilde, so she had asked me if she could invite a friend of hers. I said yes and the 3 of us met at Parco Ducale. They were 17 years old at that time. I like taking pictures of young people because, usually, they pass on to me their fresh enthusiasm for life. Having said that, I remember that both of them had a strong character 🙂 Enjoy their photos!
I met Anne in 2009, during a Master’s course in Poitiers. We have stayed in touch ever since. She can be loquacious, she is cute, she has a stature of a tiny ballerina but she has a big personality. I have always admired her fearless, relentless vitality. She is a blue-eyed babe who has two babies now! She came to Parma to visit me in 2012, and we organised a portrait session in the city center (with Parma’s glorious summer sky, at its best) where she captured my attention with her meaningful expressions. I know that I shouldn’t say that (Malraux ladies!) but I I have a soft spot for her!
Below the welcoming committee…
My favorite shots below, I don’t mind if they are blurry!
City center
Photographer and subject together (it looks like the lens cap has not been removed!)
When I imagine true love, Laura and Filippo are one of the couples that come to my mind. Going through my photo archive, I didn’t realized how many pictures I took of them, over the years. Maybe it’s because I like them both individually and it’s also good to have them together! We gathered a summer evening in a field just outside of Parma. About the rest…well, enjoy their pictures!
Beautiful Laura!
and a snappy memory together with the photographer!
I have known Maria since… I think it was 2011. She is also from Parma and is a vibrant artistic young woman. She is brilliant, she is incredibly forward thinking and has an inspiring impact on me. Over the years, I have taken several portraits of her and it always was fun. The theme of this shoot (dated August 2012) was Marie Antoinette 🙂 Don’t ask me how and why we chose that! Probably because we both were impressed by the movie by Sofia Coppola that had recently been released. And maybe, also because Maria was wearing a very feminine, elegant pink dress who gave her frivolity and lightness. The location was the dried up river bed of the river Parma. Enjoy these delightful memories!
I took some shots of Matilde in October 2011. At that time she was 15 years old (not far from turning 16). When you are at that age, your life is busy: there’s school, there are friends (of all types!), sport activities, your mobile is always in your hands and you can be grumpy, especially with your parents and siblings.
I was a teenager a long time ago but I still remember feeling neither one thing nor the other. Everything seemed complicated. Adolescence is a strange, delicate turning point. Childhood is behind you but the future is ahead of you and you don’t know where you belong. Dualism is extremely accentuated and is a typical trait of this phase of life: on one hand, you are carefree but, on the other, you need to be serious. You are too young to be involved in certain things but too grown up for others.
Matilde has always looked more grown up that she actually was. She has always been responsible, sharp and with clarity in mind. I was very happy to spend an hour with her and her auntie!
Sometimes things start one way and then the lead goes in another direction. This was the case! It had to be a “solo” portrait session that turned up into a group shooting! My idea was to take some shots of Margot (daughter of my friend Claudia), a sprint 8-year-old, sports enthusiast, in her after school, but unexpectedly a small, compact group of kids (who were on the playground) joined us! One point that fascinates me about working with kids, is that they are natural. Even when they are not laughing or playing, they usually have a catching, spontaneous expression. These images are dated 4/10/2011, it was a warmish late afternoon and the light was gorgeous. Enjoy these memories!
Bats-position, hanging upside down!
I have NO clue about how & why we skipped to this “shoes-off-show” part of the shooting! Whose idea was that?!
We jumped on a coach (filled with colors!) on Parma and headed to Livorno. The bride and the groom (my cousin Lara and her husband Sandro) hired a small coach for their guests! I have taken pictures to 5 weddings and I couldn’t miss this one, which actually was my first one as photographer!
Even though she doesn’t live from her art, Lara is a deeply talented artist (poetry!); she has a generous heart and has always been the beauty of our family! Sandro is from Tuscany so, by saying this, I have said it all about him!! He is funny, clever, open, friendly, active, ironic! And he loves Lara to pieces. Their wedding was a joyful gathering, intimate and simple, their guests being mostly friends, with just a few family members (granny included)! It was the only ceremony I have been to, where the guests asked the bride & groom…whether they could dress up, just for fun!! Once they changed their suits, they got really colourful indeed, each of them chose a mono-colour! As Lara told me years later: ” We wanted that day to be a party for everybody, we wanted each of us to feel important”.
Enjoy this beautiful memory!
Little tiger…tiny but roaring!
Now let’s add some color to the day! Jader: travestimento mode is ON!
Would that be a direct message?!
An happy couple
and the husband in color!
Germana, Lara’s mom!
Silvia before…
and after!
How did I manage to make this picture so cool?!
Unforgettable details
Sebastiano!
Two of the flower girls were the daughters of Sandro, the third one was his niece. They were STUNNING! So well behaved!
One of the shots that I cherish more: she is just perfect!
A very smiling wedding officiant
Nailed it!
Seconds after the ceremony
Let’s skip to colors again!
Love is in the air!
Portraits at the seafront
Kids randomly crossed along the seaside…and the posed! This one was selected by PhotoVogue, can you believe it?
The newlyweds and the stunning flower girls
Martina!
Lara, you are beautiful!
Sara!
I can see THEIR LOVE here
I love this photo pretty M U C H !
A delighted groom, convertible into flower man 🙂
Cute wedding favor
Happy Marisa
How could we possibly get that on the dancing floor?!
Happily blurry!
To finish, the fancy blue shoes of the flower girls!
It was a summer evening (pictures show 27/08/2011) and I had been invited to a concert as 2 friends were part of the group. I have random memories related to that event however, I recall that it was a success, fans were enjoyably entertained! I like the very colorful editing of some of these images without being too ashamed of my primitive technique 🙂
Father Luciano spent many of his parish years defending and hosting immigrants. In Parma he was considered an outsider but he never really cared. In late July 2011 I asked him whether I could take some pictures during the Sunday service. He asked me what the purpose was. I explained that I wanted to document a community, of different cultural backgrounds, coming together during the service and that this would be for my blog, a personal use. He agreed. I was positively impressed by that community that was small but quite tight. There seemed to be a silent harmony. I never saw him after that and, a few years later, I was saddened to acknowledge that he passed away.
“It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die” Steve Biko.
In memory of Father Luciano Scaccaglia (1936-2016), priest and non-violent activist.
Many years have passed since Giorgia’s graduation, that was a lovely aperitivo night! There were many friends and I remember that she received lovely and practical presents!
I don’t know, maybe it’s the way Ines is leaning on Silvia, as if she was there to protect her, or maybe it’s the fact that Silvia is closing her eyes but she is smiling at the same time, seizing this loving moment, completely trusting her grandmother…For these reasons this is my favorite shot of that day, taken at Elisa and Federico’s wedding reception. As spectators, we enjoy admiring beautiful pictures, but we also need to connect to people, and photography allows that! I am proud of this shot, that technically is far away from being perfect, but when I look at it, a good feeling warms me up. And this is also what photography is about.
Elisa & Federico are my second cousins. They tied the knot in 2011 and I was invited to their wedding, together with my grandmother (who was obviously over the moon to get the chance to spend a day with her family!). Granny was one of the sisters of Federico’s grandfather, Alfredo, who unfortunately passed away the year before. His absence was palpably felt. But let’s skip our family stories to get straight to the point…
July the 2nd was a remarkable day: a loving & lovely ceremony was held at church; the grandfather walked Elisa down the aisle with the help of Mattia. while beautiful Virginia (their youngest) was cuddled by groom’s grandparents. Elisa was dressed like a model in her stunning gown! It was a summery, warm evening at the venue La Vignazza that was a tasty choice. Rossana & Guido, Federico’s parents (who are a sociable, warm and generous couple) were absolutely delighted. My cousins kids (they were quite a bunch!) were quite easygoing and enjoyable. During the dinner the music’s selection was perfection and oh yes, I took some beautiful shots of Ines (the groom’s granny) with her grandchildren.
Somebody is not getting into the mood of the occasion…
Granny with a TV advert smile!
Silvia Maria & Licia, first cousins of the groom
Amazing Mara!
The youngest cousins…
and the beautiful bride proudly escorted!
Virginia checking on the ceremony’s progress…
A relaxed but also touched Francesca, sister of the groom
Super Rossana, the mum of Federico!
The VW Dormobile!
Guido, the groom’s dad, known for his entertaining skills!
I LOVE these 2 pictures SO MUCH
but this is my FAVORITE! Granny Ines & granddaughter Silvia Maria
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 