Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into photography?
Well, I’ve learned everything by myself. I think I always had photography really present in my life. As a child with my parent’s camera, in high school and university on my architecture degree, etc. Eventually, the curiosity about film photography became bigger, with an ex-girlfriend of mine that had a film camera - she taught me all the basics, and everything started there. I bought a beautiful Canon F1 and started everything that surrounded me.
Which color do you gravitate toward the most?
That’s pretty difficult actually. I don’t have any I think. It changes from time to time. There are times where I look for warmer tones, others for colder tones. But there’s no rule for it, at least for me. There are times I just want to shoot B&W, others than that I just want to shoot in color. I try to not follow any rules about it.
When and where are you the most creative?
When I’m heartbroken.
In your opinion, what sets analog photography apart from digital photography?
Well, I’ve been way more stubborn about this as a matter of fact. For years, I only shot with film, but in the recent months, I had to change the approach a bit. Basically because, if I want to keep shooting a lot - and not having to sell a car - I need to shoot analog and digital. At the end of the day, you have good photography and bad photography, and that’s it whether it’s digital or film. Anyway, film will always have the special place in my heart. I will shoot film until the end of my days, because I love all the uncertainty of it, all the unexpected that can happen, all the physical side of it. I love the fact that you have only 24 or 36 shots to get “the photo”. The whole process, the home developing, the scanning, the cameras itself are amazing, heavy, cold, beautiful. You really need to be aware of what you are doing if you don’t want to burn film rolls like crazy. It’s magical.
Can you share some of your most memorable photography experiences?
Probably the whole process of doing my first book “Let’s get lost here”. It was really amazing, between Milan & Lisbon for some months. Mainly because it was so personal, I was totally exposing myself and what I was feeling. I needed to do that to heal. It took a whole year to finish, so it was an overwhelming experience.
Which lens(es) do you prefer?
Carl Zeiss Planar 45mm f2
How do you approach lighting and composition in your portrait photography?
I almost never use “pro’’ photography and studio lighting. I use some light setups that I built myself throughout years I’ve been shooting, mainly because in the beginning I didn’t have money to buy all the lights I wanted. At the same time I realized that photography is always about light and shadow, and everything you can use to play that game, is fair! So I tend to use a lot of all those personal setups I made and I’m really happy with them.
What is the most important to you in what you do?
The constant search for something and the will to make beautiful things and keep them near and for me. Photography is memory, and memory is one of the most precious things we have.
What are you working on right now, projects or activities?
I keep shooting the most I can. Nowadays photography is a passion and a hobby for me, as I have my main job - I’m an Executive Editor in a book publisher. Some years ago I was doing only photography, it was cool, I had the chance to learn a lot with fashion and to work with the best people and teams around, but i’m happier now. I do what I want, the way I want, when I want, and with anyone I want to invite to. The main goal became again the search for “the” photo with the person I’m shooting with, mainly for us. Besides this, I’m working on my new book that should be released this year.
