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!!
“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!
I believe that photography is so important not only to allow us to have beautiful pictures and to receive a rewarding image of ourselves but it also functions as a collective memory, documenting the different stages of our life. December 2013, I had been in England for 5 months and was recovering from a difficult time. I wanted to shine and prove to myself that I was making it, that I was taking care of myself and that my efforts were fulfilling a valuable purpose. However, when I look at these pictures I still think: “Gosh, how skinny was I!”. I had worked with Matthew Bishop, who to this day he remains one of my favorite photographers, a few months earlier and I asked him to take some winter portraits of me. We met up in London on a cold December morning, we had a coffe and he led me through the shooting. I cherish these photographs: I see myself as elegant and also with a somewhat French style!
Elisabetta and I, we have known each other since we were babies. She is one year younger than me and our families were neighbors, so we grew up in the same building and when we were little, we played together an awful lot (a few old memories pictures added at the end of this article can prove it)! Even tough, over the years, we did lose touch a little, I did not miss the opportunity to ask her if she wanted to pose for me and she accepted.
We met in Marore in a late July morning. It was warm and the light was not ideal as it was strong, direct and harsh however, we still got a glowy effect. I like these outcomes: Elisabetta’s portraits are neat, spontaneous, non-sophisticated and I find that her gaze reveals dignity and determination.
Below my favorite…
…but I cherish also this one!
and now a blast from the past! Photos taken between 1987 and 1989…
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line” – Lucille Ball
“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall” – Sandra Day O’Connor
Women are the real architects of society – Cher
During a portrait session, we normally get the best shots at the end of the shooting, as the beginning represents the awkward phase. The selection is a struggle for me and I don’t enjoy that part of the work. I never had the habit of culling backwards and I still don’t do that today however, for once, I have forced myself to go against my natural instinct of visually narrating Francesca’s session from start to finish and uploaded the tail end of our shoot. Enjoy these memories dated November 2012 and her beautiful face features!
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!)
Her determined gaze!
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!
My 2 favs below!
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!
Below, my favourite!
Roberto (Robby to his friends!) is a nice guy, in fact, I’d rather say that he is handsome! He is tall, with a good body shape and has deep blue eyes! And girls, heads-up: he is not only handsome, he is also a real gentleman! It was with great pleasure that I took some portraits of him in the beautiful location of Torrechiara. It was a warmish late September afternoon and we got the right light. The editing of these old shots makes me smile: I find them quite creative, naive and multi-faceted! I have also included some of Robby’s favorite possessions: sunglasses and pc, that’s cool!
Elena is a family friend who has 5 gorgeous boys. In July 2011, she invited my parents and me to spend a few hours at their house in the outskirts of Parma. At that time she (only!) had 4 kids, however when we arrived, there were also young friends of her 2 eldest children. The boys were just…boys in the summer! Lots of lively water games and fun, some fresh drinks and a few tantrums from the youngest one. A most enjoyable afternoon with my camera!
The one below is my favorite, the editing makes me just think of the 1970s. Also, I like the way Emanuele is eying up the camera!
Elena Arvasi Portrait Photographer 