5/23

How long have you been a photographer? What pushed you on this path in the beginning?

Since childhood I have always been crafting clothes and creating little sceneries that I would then shoot with my small analog camera. Pictures and staging have always been my tools to express what I was feeling.
Fabrics, scissors and a camera were my natural way of getting my ideas out of my mind.

Have you always wanted to make art?

I’ve never really had to ask myself such a question. There was really no other way of doing things and seeing my life I guess. I’ve just stuck to what felt like « my path ». Of course, I had to fight my way through it and there were moments in my life where I had to survive by doing shitty jobs but as there were no alternative routes in my mind I’ve just kept doing what felt right in order to make it.

Tell us about your favourite shoot.

My favorite shoot is the one you guys are showcasing in this issue, not because it’s the most recent one but mostly because it’s the first time I talk about a super personal topic through it. I’ve worked on it a long time because I really wanted to express all the feelings buried deep inside of me, so there was a long preparation just to put words on all those emotions.
I’m really proud of the outcome as it’s perfectly in line with what I had in mind and because I feel the aesthetic and the message are equally balanced through the pictures. 

What inspires you?

Everything that I could see around me. A face, a fabric, architecture, the culture of a territory, tapestry…. It’s usually a particular element that sparkles my inspiration and creativity. It struck me and I pretty much never chased it. 
I let my feelings, life and surroundings inspire me. Sometimes it’s a gift and sometimes I hate not being able to sit down and decide to start working on a new project. 

How would you characterize your style?

It’s always hard to define our own art, mostly because it’s an ever-evolving thing but in recent years I’ve tried to mix up fashion and documentary photography. I don’t like to reduce what I do to fashion. The goal is not to simply shoot pretty clothes but also to tell a whole story, to serve a purpose. My photos always tell something, and I hope that they induce emotions to whoever looks at them.

What advice would you give to a beginning photographer? 

Don’t pay attention to everyone’s judgments. Do whatever seems true to you and stick to it, this will be the only force that will let you go forward.