Interviews  / Stories

Tell us something about yourself

I am an italian photographer, working since 1989 in the fashion and advertising fields.
 

How and when did you get into photography?

I started in 1982  after many years in which I studied painting, and for the first years I decided to shoot night landscapes, using an old LEICA M and very long exposures, in a very onyric style. In a few time many gallerist asked me to organize exibitions with my photos, and it was exactly during an important one that I met Monica Bellucci,  a very famous model and actress.

She proposed me to go to  Milano introducing me to the top  fashion agencies. That meeting changed my professional life.
 

What does photography mean to you?

A good way to materialize your thoughts and fantasies, even if, I must admit, I prefer the cinematographic  language, being very fond too of music

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

Since 25 years I shoot models, models and models :) but what I hope ( they say )  is that in every picture I make I try  to take off the model her real beauty and femininity,. My style wants to be elegant and glamourous at the same time

 

Where do you get inspiration from?

In the beginning, when I started to create night  landscapes, the greatest inspiration was an outstanding Ansel Adams exibition, with his masterpieces in black and white. It helped me to find a personal idea to shoot my landscapes.
 

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

It depends. I have to admit, making a comparison with music ( as I told you one of my greatest passions ) ,I consider myself a jazz player more than a classical one, I like to improvise at 80 %

Of course it doesn't means I don't plan anything in my job, but I never follow too strictly a layout or something like that. I follow the mood

 

Studio, on location or both?

Both, absolutely. I started to shoot models outdoor, because in the first years.  I had not a studio by my own, when I moved to Milano, but  I had to open it, even because Milano's winters can be very long and models don't like the cold, usually :)

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am 100 % a professional photographer, it is my only job since 30 years.

 

What has been your most memorable session and why?

That's a difficult answer.....luckily  I had many great memories,  maybe when I shooted Claudia Schiffer many years ago in Milano, during the golden age of Top Models.

 

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

By far the black and white movies of 1930/1960, I am in love with them. I like retro style too and the fabolous Pin ups

 

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Leica M, by far, using 90 % of times the 50 f 1,4 aspherical

 

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

That's very hard ( and sad ). At the moment I think that to start a career in photography for making business is a very BAD time. The reasons are soooo many,  I can just say that digital, smartphones, photoshop can be great and devilish at the same time.

 

What do you think of our new magazine?

Very nice, that's the reason I accepted to make this interview (smile)

 

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