Shantelle & Eldon, from Singapore
Dolomites Surprise Proposal
It was my second time photographing at Seceda Pass, this incredible place to watch and feel the mountains of Val Gardena. I knew it wasn't the easiest of destinations, not so much because of the difficulty of the hike and the cold, but because of the length of time and costs involved. But the reward of the unique landscape and views that the place offers is certainly worth the effort, which makes it very popular.
When Heldon contacted me and immediately confirmed his interest in proposing, we agreed on a date and time. What struck me was that he sent me photos and a map of the place, even though I already knew exactly where he wanted to propose. I thought that was great, because it was certainly a spot with a spectacular view and no people passing by.
Obviously I was delighted to be able to record this moment for them and at the same time enjoy the view and the atmosphere.
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.
Pre Wedding of Manoela and Gabriel, from Brazil
Soon it will be Manoela and Gabriel's wedding day, a young couple from Brazil living in Italy. This week we had the opportunity to record this beautiful pre-wedding session in Venice.
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.
Milan is fashion
A fashion photo shoot for an NYC blogger on Instagram
Among the largest and best-known cities in Italy, each has its own peculiarities. If Rome, Florence and Venice preserve an atmosphere that harks back centuries of history, Milan has a touch of modernity. The business centre is also one of the world's leading cities for fashion.
Near the Cathedral of Milan is the Fashion Quad, a set of streets that concentrate the most famous brands in Italy and the world.
On a cloudy day I met the New Yorker Jenn Notaro, for a photo session whose photos would illustrate the launch of her fashion blog on Instagram.
Honeymoon photo shoot in Venice
Honeymoon 1 hour shooting in Venice
With a consistent reduction in cases of covid-19 across the country, Italy is once again re-establishing tourism by allowing travellers from some countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia. The most popular destinations remain Venice, Florence and Rome, with the Veneto Capital seemingly the favourite for honeymooners.
Alyssa and Lucian came from California to spend their honeymoon in Venice, and we had the pleasure to photograph them. They chose the 1 hour photo package, which is enough to cover most of the major sights of this beautiful city. When we schedule the photo shooting I try to identify with the clients the kind of photos they are looking for, if they are more fun or romantic, posed or spontaneous, and so the travel photographer in Venice can define the best route and times to suggest and make the experience as pleasant as possible without giving up a beautiful photo gallery to remember the dream trip.
Italy about to liberate wedding receptions
On the ministers' agenda a date for the wedding and tourism sectors
"Many future spouses and wedding operators have written to me and I reassure them: the government is working on it and based on the trend of contagions we will soon give a date for the resumption because weddings must be planned in time. And the same goes for sport. Already in the week there will be meetings with the CTS (Technical Scientific Committee) to give dates to these areas”.
Thus the Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies, Mariastella Gelmini, to 'Domenica in' on Rai 1 TV Channel.
Minister of Tourism: curfew reviewed soon
Tour operators rejoice at the words of the Prime Minister, to which must be added the reassurances of Minister of Tourism Massimo Garavaglia on the green pass ("I have asked EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to extend the European pass to third countries"), on the curfew ("I am reasonably confident that the measure in the short term can be favorably reviewed") and on vaccines ("once the fragile population has been vaccinated, it may be appropriate to make assessments also for tourism operators").
From: Ansa and Quotidiano Nazionale
Rome by Night
Sometimes we have the nice opportunity to photograph Rome at night
Rome is one of my favorite cities for night photography. Most of the monuments are lit up. And if during the day we are astonished by so much information or looking for the directions on GPS, in the evening some landscapes change and leave these monuments, or part of them in evidence. The Trevi Fountain, one of my favorite spots, is a must-see at night.
Some narrowest streets in Trastevere or around the Pantheon, increase their charm with the restaurant lights. There are many of them that only open for dinner, and with the tables outside, some streets are completely transformed. Of course, the flavors of the pasta and pizza dishes contributes a lot to this very inviting atmosphere.
I don't live in the city. So, when I have a photo shoot in Rome scheduled in the morning, I usually go the day before and take the opportunity to go out for dinner to take some pictures.
A visit to the Rocchetta Mattei Palace
160 years of history, Moorish architecture and alternative medicine
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Rocchetta Mattei Palace, in the Emilia-Romagna region. I saw that it was possible to arrive by train from Bologna. So, I made the reservation a week in advance and hoped for a sunny day. The road from the Riola Station to the Palace is very pleasant, it is about 1km, which you can do in just over 10 min. At the beginning there is a bridge with a beautiful landscape with the river and trees. The Palace is over 160 years old, has been neglect for decades, and was recently opened to the public, after a long and thorough restoration. The complex's creator, Count Cesare Mattei (1809-1896) started Rocchetta's work in 1850 while developing a new technique in medicine called “electromyopathy”. Still unfinished in 1896, when the Count died, the works would only be completed in 1920. The most evident architectural style is the details in Moorish art inspired by the Alhambra Palace and the Mosque of Cordoba, Spain. It is an invitation for those who appreciate architecture, with many contrasts, colorful rooms , many details of Hispanic art. Visits to the Palace only take place on weekends and it is necessary to buy tickets in advance on the official website at a cost of € 10 (full ticket). All visits are guided in Italian and organized in small groups of up to 6 people. The train ride (Bologna-Riola) lasts 57 minutes and costs € 4.75.
https://www.rocchetta-mattei.it/
