Interviews / Stories
Photographer Virginia Di Mauro (Italy)
Tell us something about yourself
Being terribly prolix never helps me in situations like these, but I'll do my best. 24 years-old, Italian in every single facets. Meteoropatich, sometimes illogical, curious, always hungry for desire, single-minded, overthinker, emotional, naive.
How and when did you get into photography?
I started working in 2011 as assistant for a photographic studio in my town, where I learned the tools of the trade, trying to extract as much as possible from this experience, just seeing during the shootings we organized but without having ever taken a camera in my hands.
Once this period was over, I took some months to reflect about what would have been good about my future.
One year later, during the summer of 2012, after getting in contact by chance with a blogger from my hometown, who also became a dear friend of mine, I obtenied my first commercial job, just thanks to her.
And from that day I'm used to consider my very intro to photography, not only as a job but first as trusty companion for life, my most important valve of expression.
What does photography mean to you?
Engine of desire. Movement. Lifeblood. Impulse. Where words are not enought.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
It sounds like ridiculous and perhaps implausible, but I hate labels, I always feel too close and I almost never get to describe me in a handful of words.
Being a Libra, I love the aesthetics in all its forms and I chase it at all costs.
The fact is that I'm used to find myself intrigued even where there is no objectivity of beauty, but maybe just the particularity of an often imperceptible flaw.
I can say my style follows the humoral trend of myself, so it's very flexible and vulnerable, although certainly there are probably some features appearing in almost all photos, as the proportions, the shots which I often like to dare with, the colors a bit cyanotic, the presence of architecture and lines in combination to human figures, and so on.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I'm often used to take inspiration from the places where I go by chance, maybe driving my car or simply looking around where I stand. I'm also inspired by the words I employ to elaborate the thoughts that I like to put on paper. And obviously by music too. I'm also trying to expand my film culture, which I have always sacrificed over the years. It's such a pity.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
Sometimes yes, sometimes not at all. It depends on what I'm gonna do. If we talnk about commercial work, yes, I've to propose a series of ideas and plan the shooting in advance, in order to facilitate the general organization.
When I go shooting editorials, I can feel free to get inspired by the moment, without planning too much what we're gonna make. And I love it!
Studio, on location or both?
Both. During the kast year, I approached in a more intense way toward internal locations, giving them the right value and discovering them interesting almost as much as the external ones. But the energy we can breathe en pleine air is unparalleled.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I consider myself an running engine. Unfortunately, when art meets money, it always takes a certain materialism. When you decide to let a pleasure become a real job, many sacrifices and self acceptance tests are involved, in order to classify ourselves and assign a value to our work.
But I believe this is not necessary. It's simply a natural and temporal process. The payment is the material form of recognition, and perhaps only a self sustaining source in order to continue to finance our own artistic evolution.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
I have such a weak and short-term memory! Ok, the most recent memory I carry inside me with so much pleasure is the editorial taken in the enchanting scenery of the National Park of Abruzzo, Rocca Calascio. The location is truly surreal. To know that is only an hour by car from my town is even more outstanding. That day, the synergy among our team was really strong, we loved eachother's work and we created a very strong editorial, in a very short time and with great enthusiasm. The ideal.
What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?
The desire to get closer to the ambitions, the near certainty of being able to touch them without perhaps never fully get there. This is the continuous stimulation, my continuous inspiration. To create without turning off the engine, ever.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? Nikon. 24-70 mm f/2.8 Nikkor Lense.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Love the comparison. Dare and questioning without fear of judgment. The criticism increase the value of what we do and help us to reach maturity. And finally, listen with patience to our fears and turn them into curiosity about the world.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I find that your magazine is a balanced combination of professionalism and creativity, where good taste rules everything. So go on and keep on inspire!
Thank you.