Rediscovering a place

We know that doing the same things over and over again is creating a routine. For work this often helps us. We save time and effort. For creative work, however, leaning on the guaranteed outcome of a routine can be quite dangerous. It may work for a while, but we know that our clients trust their moments to someone who - besides good photos - will guide them through some paths a little different from common sense, always looking for a beautiful, pleasant result that reflects the feelings involved in that occasion.

As we work in many cities, I often don't know anything about the place where I'm travelling to photograph. I end up studying and researching as much as possible about the city and its points of interest.

But when it comes to a big city in Italy, like Milan, Venice, Rome or Florence, we tend to think we already know almost everything. To do a 30 minute, 1 or 2 hour photo session it helps a lot, but we can't always have the same photos and the same poses in the portfolio. We need to create something different in those same places and whenever possible get to know new ones.

I've been researching more about Venice, a city that is so requested for photos. And I've realized that there's still a lot to see. And even though most of the clients will ask for photos in front of the Basilica of San Marco, besides the different angles that we can create there, it's always nice to include in the photo shoot a different place from the path through which everyone passes and come back with photos in the suitcase much more dynamic and creative.

In August we already have some photo shootings scheduled for Venice, and I can't wait to explore new perspectives in this enchanting city.

Venice for fun!

It's no secret that Venice has carried a magical atmosphere for centuries. The scenic is part of Venetian culture, with Carnival, the masks and the most famous Film Festival in Italy.

It was in this fun atmosphere that I met Sherry. She came from Phoenix, USA, where she lives, to get to know Italy and wanted to record this moment with a photo shoot in Venice.

She was travelling alone. It is always an honor to collaborate with someone to portray their image in a city far from their home country.

It rained a little that day, but we did a beautiful and fun photo shoot.

Yesterday the New York-Venice route was resumed with Delta Airlines. We hope it will be the return of those dear American travellers.

Solo Portraits - besides the selfies

When I started photographing people travelling in Italy I immediately imagined couples on their honeymoon. And when I was looking for inspiration on Instagram profiles and travel blogs about the cities I would work in, most of the photos were actually of couples.

But as requests for photo shoots came in, so did families, small and large groups and yes, people travelling alone!

At first it seemed a bit strange, but soon I got used to the idea and looked for more inspiration on how to photograph people alone.

I can say that the most interesting travel stories that clients have shared with me have been exactly in this type of session.

Emma was one of those nice clients who chose Florence to illustrate her solo trip through Italy.

Photo shooting Florence

Solo portraits Italy

Photo shooting Florence

Solo Portraits Italy

Quarantine days

This quarantine due to the coronavirus has been quite a complicated period. An isolation that seems to have no end.

Cinque Terre, April 2019

Last November, after almost two years of steady growth in work here in Italy, I returned to Brazil for vacation. I was happy to see my family and some friends and recharge my batteries for a 2020 that promised to be even better. My return to Italy was scheduled for the beginning of February.

Since January, the news about the new coronavirus in China has started to increase and there was a concern as most of the customers come from Asian countries. There would probably be a reduction on the part of this audience. When I arrived at Bologna airport and all the passengers had their temperature checked, I realized that the issue was more serious than I imagined. Luckily I managed to do some jobs that were already scheduled for February, but at the end of the month the increase in cases of contagion in Italy already gave a notion that the epidemic was out of control. Since then, all communications related to my work were cancellation requests. I had 2 clients who wrote saying that if the borders were open they would like to keep the sessions and would do everything possible to make this happen. It was undoubtedly an encouragement, but unfortunately it was not confirmed.

At the beginning of the pandemic, probably in a phase of denial, I no longer watched the news, whose content was 100% coronavirus. Then I started to get information and look for news that gave a little hope. We still don't know how far this goes. Here in Italy, the numbers seem to be starting to give way. Even so, April will probably be another month with no funding. The feeling of these days is to be a little depressed, missing my family and worrying about the lack of work. I take the opportunity to study some English, in which I am still very limited and will certainly help me when we go through all of this. Meanwhile, we continue to hope for a cure and the well-being of all!