Amongst all the photo shoots I’ve done to this family, this is one of my favourites and… Wow, I didn’t realise I’d used my Nikon F801s in so many sessions! Arianna was growing up fast in that period. She was always deeply connected to her parents and at ease in front of the camera but with new, different expressions. The B&W adds a touch of timelessness!
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!!
I love that kind of energy that this adventurous couple of siblings can bring into any environment! What a privilege it was to share a couple of hours with Caterina & her family. The joy of life can be seen in the eyes of these two lively “warriors! Enjoy this warm oil of gladness!
Irene was not yet four weeks old when Francesca, her mom and a good friend of mine, asked me to take some shots of her newborn princess in the little park near their house. What hits me about newborn babies is how fragile they are, how they completely depend on their parents or caregivers, even though I actually think they are resilient, strong and quite adaptable! As life is often uphill, I find it is a blessing to have the chance to experience a phase without any thoughts, based only on what we can feel, such as the loving touch and presence of our parents, and a deep sense of trust in them. This prepares us for the path of life ahead of us, and makes us courageous, like tiny & strong Irene!
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up”
I already had more opportunities to take some snapshots of Elena’s kids. She is a friend of us and she has had 5 boys over the years! They are all good natured, entertain themselves pretty well and for sure they keep the family environment running at full throttle! Enjoy these summer memories dated 2018! We love you, Elena, and you really are a wise and relaxed mom!!
Back to the years between 2015 and 2019, I was heavily interested in studio photography. I have also always liked that photography can bring people together and somehow create a sense of community. I asked the mothers of these young princesses (who belong to 3 different nationalities and all lived in Parma at that time) to take them to the studio and they enthusiastically agreed (the girls were quite driven about the idea too!). The fact that the older girls were together in the same class in primary school helped and in fact the outcome of this session was lovely!
Mattia is lucky, he has a good relationship with both his mom and dad. Although in different ways, his bond with his parents is deep, built upon mutual trust and love and you can notice it in the images below. It was good for me to spend some time with this family and to see them together in a state of ease! Enjoy these memories dated January 2018!
These sisters had both BIG personalities! One couldn’t stay still without not watching what the other was up to without being cheekily involved in it! I loved interacting with them and with their super-hearted momma and these few pictures do not really honor them!! Enjoy these lively, lovely memories dated January 2018!
I had the pleasure to spend a couple of hours at Kristjana’s home with her boys. The family’s environment was warm and relaxed and this could well be noticed in her kids attitude! Enjoy these photo memories dated January 2018!
This was the third time I had the chance to take some portraits of cheerful Annasole and the second time we gathered at the studio. She was dressed in a stylish outfit and was in a good mood. She seemed to be curious about the lighting in the studio and she wasn’t scared at all with the indoor environment. I believe that she had a good fun there, in the company of her parents Elisa and George! Enjoy these cute memories dated December 2017!
Elisa, Mattia’s mum, is one of my best friends. It was something for me to see reflected in her 3 years old son some of her personality’s traits. Mattia was a young lively boy, very determined, extremely focused and perceptive. Whilst playing with the ball he was over the moon, as well as being at the presence of his adoring mum! Enjoy these loving memories dated October 2017!
I feel honored to consider Stefano Cavazzini as a friend. He is an outstandingly talented photographer (even though he has never worked as a professional). He is also shy and humble. I believe that his work shows a stroke of genius and as an artist, he is a visionary, who goes out quite easily from a “commonly shared path”! His images remind me, somehow, of Francesca Wooodman’s photography. These shots were taken in August 2017, just before I quit Italy for Scotland. When I received them, I was blown away by these results! Grazie, Stefano, for sharing your talent and for your big heart!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 