The Eternal City draws me into its maze every time. I start in one place, but another church, monument, fountain, park, square is just around the corner. Each street has something hidden in it. So I go further and further, following the flow of history and my curiosity. You don’t even know when a short walk becomes an all-day pilgrimage through the city, which doesn’t really have a finish line. Sometimes I am carried away by the river of people, but it is enough to hide in the shadows to observe this endless stream from a distance. You can then feel the somewhat overwhelming weight of history that we physically experience at every step. This awareness brings euphoria and melancholy at the same time. Because imperial greatness and splendour also has its dark sides and places that are better not to visit.
Of course, I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t mention food. After long walks, Roman cuisine is a real delight and definitely allows you to regain all the calories lost during the walk. Every time, a must-have on the menu, regardless of whether it’s 3 or 30 degrees outside, is carbonara – my favourite pasta. Restaurants that I especially recommend are Cajo & Gajoin Trastevere and the accidentally discoveredFiaschetteria Marini.
Rome Travel Palette
Street photography in Rome helps you get to know the city and observe its palette. It is quite monochromatic – in shades of brown, orange and yellow. I think that given the size of the metropolis, it introduces a soothing element that calms the senses and allows you to focus your attention. First, grey and yellow khaki – perfect for camouflage, which helps you feel a little safer in the big city. It also reminds us of Rome’s military past. The sweet peach colour makes you feel the days full of sun and their juicy energy. Metallic bronze has a natural shade but at the same time emphasises the severity of the city. Finally, for contrast, the grey-blue colour of the slate adds dignity and elegance.
The botanical garden of Genoa is part of the local university. Even though it is located in the historic centre of the city, it remains hidden and many people do not even know about its existence. You can enter it from Corso Dogali or through the labyrinth of university corridors from Via Balbi. Its location makes us feel like we are in a secret garden. Few people know (including me) that 19th century Genoa was famous for its botanical scientific activities. The climate here was favourable for growing exotic plants. During this period, there were four gardens, all established on the initiative of the Durazzo family and the outstanding botanists they employed. The garden at the university was mainly used by medics researching the properties of medicinal plants. Today it has an area of 10,000 m² and contains about 4,000 specimens.
Entrance to the botanical garden is free, but unfortunately, due to the fact that it is part of the university, it can only be visited on working days and during limited hours. You can find more information on the garden’s website.
Queen in the Secret Garden
I discovered the botanical garden in Genoa thanks to my friend who is passionate about photography. Her photographs from the greenhouse amazed me with the play of light and the intensity of the greenery, so I immediately knew it was the perfect place for a photo session. When Anna proposed cooperation, I knew she would be a perfect fit for this environment. Her exotic beauty, mysterious sensuality and exuberant femininity perfectly matched the tropical atmosphere of the garden. I wanted her to look like a queen in her private paradise garden, surrounded by lush vegetation, observed with admiration but from a distance. During the photo session, we immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of a magical, secret garden, and the effects of our cooperation exceeded our expectations, creating images full of charm and mystery.
Osaka is a huge metropolis that welcomed us with livid and blue skyscrapers after getting off the train. Even though it is the third largest city in Japan, my husband, my sister and I spent only half a day there. Unfortunately, we had to catch a night flight from Tokyo. Osaka is a very important commercial and cultural centre on the map of Japan. We were lucky because that day was Culture Day (Bunka no Hi, November 3rd). Thanks to this, we were able to see the parades organised on this occasion.
We saw the city hidden in the fog of smog from the observation deck of the Umeda Sky Building. We then walked through the Glitter Castle park to end in the Dōtonbori district. Thousands of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, casinos and arcades line the canal, all surrounded by crowds of people. However, the abundance is not overwhelming. This is where I managed to take most of my street portraits.
Flavors of Osaka
The city is full of street food especially along the Dōtonbori Canal. Two dishes that come from Osaka (and are a must-try) are okonomiyaki and takoyaki. The former are a type of cabbage pancakes with various additions. The name comes from the word okonomi which means “as you like it”. The second snack is fried octopus meatballs. The balls are sprinkled with katsuobushi (dried fish flakes), which move under the influence of heat as if they were alive.
During my trip to Japan, I also visited other cities. Here you can see reports from Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara.
Osaka Travel Palette
Osaka street photography helps you get to know the city and observe its palette. The obligatory colour (at least for me) for Japan is red. This time it is carmine – like the sun rising over the country. More colours cover the metropolis in fog. Livid powder blue of sky and water. Modern platinum of countless skyscrapers. And finally, the ubiquitous but somehow invisible greyish shade of brown – beaver.
While staying in Kyoto, we decided to spend one day in Nara. The city is only 50 minutes away by train. Nara was the first capital of Japan, which is why there are some of the oldest temples in the country there. The Hōryū-ji temple is considered the oldest wooden structure in the world. The Tōdai-ji Buddhist temple complex is considered the largest wooden building instead. However, the universally recognizable symbol of Nara is the deer. According to legend, the god Takemikazuchi came to the city on a deer to watch over the new capital. Therefore, these animals are considered sacred here and can roam freely. They are very aware of their invulnerability and are completely unafraid of people, and sometimes they can even bite in search of a treat (rice cookie). If we are lucky, we will get a nod from them in gratitude for the treat.
Flavors of Nara
Of course, the journey would not be possible without food. Nara is famous for its mochi – traditional cakes made of glutinous rice. Traditionally, the dessert is prepared by pounding hot rice in a mortar. The resulting dough balls are stuffed with, for example, red bean paste or fruit. I also recommend the Edogawa Naramachi restaurant – especially the eel dishes.
Kimono
The most exciting part of this trip was renting a kimono. Yes, I know, it is a very commercial attraction, but the specificity of this outfit makes the experience unique. Kimonos can be rented in almost every major city in Japan. However, we decided that a slightly less crowded Nara would be perfect to fully enjoy the experience (Fuji Kimono). The very process of dressing and selecting individual elements of the outfit is unique. The colours of kimonos, especially women’s ones, reflect the seasons. Men’s clothes have more subdued colours. Despite many layers, the kimono is very comfortable, you just need to get used to taking small steps. In the photos you can see my sister in an autumn kimono and my husband, who was probably a Japanese sensei in his previous incarnations.
During my trip to Japan, I also visited other cities. Here you can see reports from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
Walk among temples, energise scarlet and tea ceremony
The merging and interpenetration of religions in Japan is visible at every step. The two main faiths are Shintoism and Buddhism. When visiting places of worship, sometimes I wasn’t sure which temple I was entering because they were so similar. The rituals are fascinating – washing of hands and mouth, lighting of incense, prayers on wooden tablets, ringing of the bell and, in some temples, bare feet. Kyoto’s most famous Buddhist pagoda is the Golden Pavilion. The name is not accidental because its walls are covered with real gold flakes. The temple containing the Buddha’s relics and the garden surrounding it were intended to evoke the image of paradise on earth. However, I liked the Shintoist Imamiya Shrine much more. The temple complex is hidden among the trees so you can feel the spirit of all prayers. Maybe because it was founded to ask for safety from the epidemic and health.
Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the seat of the ruler for 500 years – in 1869 the capital of Japan was moved to Tokyo. I was amazed by its architecture, which maintains monumental symmetry fortified with interesting, minimalist details. However, many decorative elements have a practical function. For example, the narrow channel around the courtyard not only creates a mirror effect but also collects rainwater falling from the gutter above. And on top of all this, the ubiquitous, energising red colour, which, when dressed in simple forms, simply exudes power.
Night in Ryokan & Tea Ceremony
One of the most beautiful experiences was also a night in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn. Ryokan Tori also provided a hot bath, yukata (kimono – home wear), Japanese breakfast and a wonderful tea ceremony. There are many different ways to prepare the drink and the methods are learned during training. Our tea was prepared as an October ritual. But regardless of the brewing method, the essence, at least for me, was the celebration of such a simple activity that we usually do very unconsciously.
During my trip to Japan, I also visited other cities. Here you can see reports from Tokyo, Nara and Osaka.
Tokyo Travel Colors
Kyoto travel photography helps you get to know the city and observe its colours. Again, as in the case of Tokyo, I chose red but in a different shade. Scarlet is more orange, which makes it truly energising and its power highlights the history of the country. Next, we have two tea colours – cheerful green matcha and deep brown kobicha (seaweed tea). The latter is one of the traditional Japanese colours, used, among others, for dyeing kimonos. The whole is complemented by a black and blue shade of charcoal, used, among other things, to produce ink.
Tokyo is a huge city, the number of its inhabitants (38,305,000) is equal to the entire population of Poland. Still, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by it. I didn’t expect this, because in many European capitals I felt small and lost. Maybe because organisation is a priority here? Public transport arrives with the greatest punctuality, queues of waiting people line up neatly, and road crews direct traffic at every step. This feeling is certainly influenced by the architecture with a minimalist, light design. Each building makes good use of the space given to it. The wooden structures of historical buildings slenderly climb towards the sky, without overwhelming monumentality.
The present as if it did not exist – the technologies of the future coexist harmoniously with the past. Sometimes it is enough to open the door of the izakaya to go from a shopping street to a historic tavern where time has stopped. Or visit the imperial palace complex, dominated by skyscrapers. The contrast to the systematised city panorama are the ubiquitous shops selling comics, games, ball machines and slot machines. Their joyful chaos and abundance introduce an energising accent to the public space. For those who would like to awaken their creative energy, I recommend visiting TeamLab Planets. The interaction between artificial intelligence and humans shown is truly magical.
During my trip to Japan, I also visited other cities. Here you can see reports from Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Tokyo Travel Palette
Tokyo travel photography helps you get to know the city and observe its colours. The first and obvious choice is crimson. It symbolically appears on the flag – the red circle is the rising sun. However, colour is ubiquitous on the streets and especially in elements of historic architecture. For such a strong colour, we need a delicate background. Subtle porcelain politely fills the city space. Modern platinum grey refers to the futuristic character of the city. And finally, another strong colour – orange. I was a bit surprised by this choice myself, but I thought it fit perfectly with the fun side of Tokyo. Interestingly, colour also appears often in Japanese cuisine.
I have dreamed of this female portrait in Genoa for a long time. I wanted it to revive the spirit of old Italian films, in which elegance and chic were inherent elements. When Aygun wrote to me asking about cooperation, I immediately knew that she would be perfect for this particular session. Her femininity is manifested not only through the delicacy of facial features and the subtlety of gestures, but also through self-confidence and a refined style that refers to the charm of Italian cinematography. The style we chose together perfectly fits the atmosphere of the photos. The beautiful embroidered corset tied at the back has a motif of baroque paintings on it. Combined with a leather skirt, they elegantly emphasise the model’s feminine figure.
Against the background of the palaces of Genoa
As always, before each session, I carefully search for places where it will take place. Thanks to this, I do not waste valuable time on inventing new destinations while shooting and I can focus on my creative work. I wanted the photos to emphasise elegance and femininity, so we took them mainly against the background of refined Genoese villas. Moreover, Aygun is an architecture student, so this context suited her perfectly.
We started with the baroque Palazzo Reale. Entrance to the courtyard with the fountain and observation deck is subject to a fee. It is also worth remembering that photos taken there can only be used for non-commercial purposes. Then we went down via Balbi towards the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata del Vastato. It has beautiful, bright stairs and a colonnade that invites you to take photos. The next point was the Renaissance Palazzo Doria-Tursi. Currently, there is a city hall there, so it is open to everyone. This is the second time I have taken photos in the courtyard of this villa and I must admit that the portraits come out wonderful every time. We also stopped at the columns of the Teatro Carlo Felice and ended at the beautiful doors of the Liberty Hotel. You can see the entire route here.
A self-portrait is often the most difficult task for a photographer. We usually present a subjective point of view and personal emotions, but from a safe observer’s distance. A long exposure portrait creates fluid images where time seems to have frozen and souls vibrate to a rhythm unknown to the ordinary eye. And although the details of the photographs are blurry, the emotions often depicted can be clearly seen. Maybe because we no longer focus on details? In such moments, when the time depicted seems to slow down, the fleeting emotions and delicate gestures captured seem very fragile. Showing these feelings, especially for a person who usually hides behind the camera, is not an easy task.
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive.
- Oriah Mountain Dreamer
This is a quote from my profile (Campaigner) from the 16 personalities test, which always accompanies me in the back of my mind. It fascinates and terrifies me at the same time. Because am I really that type of free spirit with an open heart and mind? Am I brave enough to risk being taken for a fool? Every time I read this quote I really hope that this is who I am.
Red, like a flame of fire, ignites not only the outer surface, but also the inner self-confidence. It is a colour that has symbolised power, passion and determination for centuries. When a woman wraps herself in a scarlet sheath, she becomes invincible, exuding self-confidence like a goddess from legends. Red adds spark and emphasises its femininity, attracting attention like a magnet. It’s not just a colour, it’s a manifestation of inner strength that makes a woman feel not only beautiful, but also strong and determined, ready to conquer the world. I haven’t worn red very often lately, as if I was afraid of this boost of self-confidence and energy. But when making this self-portrait, I needed this red “armour”. I hoped to discover what was inside me that I needed to release and let go to stop being afraid.
The cosy apartment for rent Genova Sweet Home is located in the heart of the historic part of Genoa and can accommodate 8 people. The entire project combines elegant modernity with historical elements, giving the interior a unique character.
The entrance greets us with a bright living room with an open kitchen and a sofa bed. Specially designed lighting highlights the original brick walls and wooden beam. The apartment consists of three bedrooms. The first – blue one has a beautifully restored black chest of drawers and bedside tables from the early 20th century. The next bedroom has a warm yellow colour and uniquely designed bedside tables. The last room is grey and, in addition to a double bed, also has a desk for remote work. To ensure the comfort of visitors, the the apartment consists of two bathrooms. The larger one is finished with elegant marble-imitation tiles and has a bathtub with a jacuzzi function. The second one has a hydromassage shower and the microcement walls, which adds an industrial character.
Why is it worth taking professional photos of your projects?
Renovation companies, architects, developers and hotel owners should definitely invest in photography of their projects for several key reasons. Firstly, professional architecture and interior photography can significantly increase the visual value of your projects, helping you build an attractive portfolio to attract new clients. The company’s image gains prestige by presenting the high quality of its work. Secondly, good quality photos can reflect the details and unique character of the designed or constructed interiors or buildings, which allows others to better understand the vision. In addition, high-quality photographs can be used in marketing campaigns, websites and promotional materials, attracting customer attention and interest. Architecture and interior photography is an excellent form of project documentation, allowing the company to track work progress, analyse its achievements and be inspired by its own successes. Therefore, investing in professional photographs can bring many benefits for companies operating in the renovation, architecture and development industries.
Milan in the afternoon light of summer days is a real feast for the senses. Despite high temperatures, the city pulsates with life and energy, while retaining its unique charm. The streets are filled with people walking with gelato in hand or chatting over coffee or aperitivo. Before sunset, the warm light draws long shadows on the facades. Monumental architecture looks great in such contrasts, creating a wonderful background for photos. However, quiet side streets filled with flowers are perfect for romantic shots.
Couple photography in Milan was Joanna’s idea, who, as a lover of Italy, wanted to immortalise a trip with her fiancé, Michał. Before the lovers arrived in the capital of Lombardy, we agreed together where the photo session would take place. I suggested starting the filming in the square at Colonne di San Lorenzo. We then crossed the Porta Ticinese Medievale and continued along Corso di Porta Ticinese to the Naviglio Grande Canal. You can see the entire route here. The time spent together during the photo session passed in the blink of an eye! After the last shots in the restaurant with a glass of wine, I left the lovers to continue their date, just the two of them
Privacy during the photo session
I can only share a few photos with you from this session. Joanna and Michał wanted to keep these intimate moments together only for themselves. Therefore, we mutually agreed which photos could be published. Out of concern for the privacy of photographed people, I always act based on their wishes. I do not publish photos without their consent, taking care to create a relaxed atmosphere during the session. It is important to me that each person feels comfortable and safe during joint photography projects. I respect the privacy and intimacy of my clients, which allows me to build trust and create authentic, beautiful images that reflect their personality and story. Cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding is the key to successful sessions and satisfaction for both me and my models.
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