MAGICAL PORTRAITS | MY LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE
magical portraits | my little piece of paradise Fabiana Cicatiello
magical portraits | my little piece of paradise
Iam a self-taught photographer who has not yet stopped learning and experimenting. I started shooting in 2015 after I received my first camera as a present. I started by taking pictures of my children. Then a friend asked me to photograph hers, and eventually, baptisms, weddings, and other events came along.
I took a couple of introductory courses to understand how the camera works and to be able to program it to my liking. Every year I do at least a couple of workshops with the most influential photographers that interest me. I photograph people, their looks, their fears, their emotions. I started by shooting children, which is one of the most challenging subjects, and this helped me a lot in the speed to catch the right moment. Children are delicate subjects, and you just have to wait for them to give you their beautiful looks. However, when I shoot adults, I first arrange a small meeting to better get to know each other.
I am a mother, woman, friend, partner, and above all, a dreamer ... I live in a world of smiles, of moments that deserve to be immortalized.
The connection between photographer and subject is essential. That's when the real magic begins, and it's from that connection that the most beautiful images are born. When I shoot, I don't use much other than my camera, I usually use natural light, and if I use a softbox, I try to recreate the same light I would have if I had a window nearby. As a result, my portraits are delicate and timeless. Giving memories is what I like most about photography.
Photography has also helped me a lot to explore hidden aspects of my soul; I have often shot myself to find courage, love in myself, and sometimes to let out emotions that I was hiding in my inner self. As a result, after each session, I feel drained and serene; above all, I feel happy because shooting makes me smile and feel good.
I get inspired by my surroundings and the people I know by my life experiences. The lockdown was a tough experience for my artistic side, but from another point of view, it helped me to study and improve.
I believe that in photography, as in everything in life, you never stop learning. Therefore, I don't usually plan my photo sessions and prefer things to come naturally.
When I get recognition, I feel happy and surprised because I always think that my work is good, but I could do more; my self-criticism helps me improve. I could write that photography is my life, but at the moment, it is not, yet I wish it would have been my main interest in life.
I started late and approached this world very shyly. I wish I could shoot every day and live on photography. But, despite everything, I am drawn into this magical world, and for the moment, it is my little piece of paradise because when I shoot, time stops, and only good things happen.