Initially, we were supposed to meet in Milan. After the conversation, Klaudia, Mateusz and little Fado changed their minds and decided to come to Liguria. Were you surprised by such a decision? Milan is a stunning city. However, you will not find there narrow streets with colorful houses, In the spring they are still quite empty, so it allows you to pose freely. There is no sea, which is enchanting, regardless of the weather and creates a beautiful background for photos. The atmosphere is a little nostalgic and a little electrifying, with the promise of sunshine and summer. All this is definitely favorable for romantic shots.
We chose two locations. The first choice is a classic – a photoshoot in Boccadasse. Bocadâze in the Genoese dialect means “mouth of a donkey” and refers to a type of fishing net. There used to be a small fishing village here, which over time was incorporated into the city. What remains, however, are beautifully colored houses, a bay with a beach and marina with boats. Walking through the streets of Boccadasse, you can feel like you’re in the animated Disney movie Luca.
I did a photoshoot at Golfo Paradiso while celebrating the farewell of summer. This year, with Saba and Stephanie, we decided to celebrate at almost the end of the world – an aperitivo on Punta Chiappa. Golfo Paradiso means “Paradise Bay” in Italian. It is located in the eastern part of the Ligurian Riviera. Punta Chiappa instead is a sharp stretch of land – la punta (it. the point) is a part of the Portofino Natural Park. We took a train from Genoa to beautiful Camogli. While waiting for a taxi boat to take us to Punta Chiappa, we saw a small harbor. We were also lucky because Dragonara Castle was opened to the public that day.
Finally, the boat took us to Capitan Mugugno, a bar hidden among the cliffs. The trip took about 15 minutes and transportation was provided by the bar. Capitan Mugugno is the size of a kiosk open only during the summer season. Fortunately, it lasts a very long time in Italy. Tables are set up on a concrete platform right on the sea. Stepping off the boat, you can take your seat practically immediately. To the joy of all the adult “children” there is also a swing! Again, we were very lucky and got a table at the very end of the pier – with a view of the sunset.
Before I flew to Iceland for the first time, I had already imagined the story I wanted to tell with my photos. A story of the smallness of man in the face of the vastness and power of nature. Our journey around Iceland lasted two weeks and I didn’t feel that way once. Everything, despite its boundlessness, had good proportions and was in its place. Mountains covered with clouds. Water penetrating every possible crevice. The sun is not setting. Empty spaces filled with lupine flowers. I felt a very natural comfort.
Isolation
The journey around Iceland was supposed to be a story about solitude because, after all, there are only 368,590 people on the island. But I didn’t get to experience that either. Everyone has their own space of privacy and autonomy there, so there is no need for barriers. There are no fences or curtains. Even the sheep don’t bother and come right up to the road. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to understand that we are not the center of the world.
Vanishing
Unfortunately, this is also a bittersweet story. In the face of ubiquitous nature, it is very easy to see its scarcity in the daily life of crowded cities. It’s as if the lack of space to wander with our eyes diminishes our perspective. However, I was most struck by this when visiting the Langjökull Glacier. It is the second-largest in Iceland (roughly the size of Lisbon) and could disappear in about 80 years.
Travel Palette of Iceland
Fortunately, the journey around Iceland is still a story about colors. It’s surprising how many shades can exist in such harsh conditions of fire and ice. Everything has deep hues that change tones. Cool and silvery in the fog or warm as soon as the sun comes out from behind the clouds. In addition, somewhat playfully contrasting yellow and purple flowers. A color palette so different from pastel cities.
A photo shoot in Genoa can take place in many places but this route is one of my favorites. We started on the elegant via Garibaldi. It has some palaces listed by UNESCO. For photos, I recommend one in particular – Palazzo Doria Tursi, as you can enter its courtyard and galleries. This time, however, we did not go inside, taking advantage of the beautiful light on via Garibaldi. At its end, we turned into the narrow street Salita di San Francesco and continued down Salita alla Spianata di Castelletto. Both streets are located on a hill. Since they are not so heavily frequented by tourists, they provide a quiet atmosphere for photos.
After climbing, we reach the Belvedere Castelletto observation deck. From here we can see Genoa’s famous gray roofs, the harbor and the lighthouse. It is also one of the best points (especially in autumn) to see the sunset over the city. However, it is worth staying there a little longer and ending the day with a glass of wine. I recommend the Calice bar the most. Photos from other Genoa locations can be seen here: Boccadasse, Sant’Agostino and Palazzo Ducale, Nervi.
Have you heard of the Abbey of San Fruttuoso? If you haven’t lived in Liguria then probably not. The abbey is hidden in an emerald bay between Camogli and Portofino. You can only get there by boat or by a trail through the mountains. The inaccessibility of the place makes it even more magical and perfect for a day escape. Therefore I was sure from the beginning that it would make a beautiful background for Madeleine and Greg’s photos together.
How do you plan a day trip to San Fruttuoso?
As I mentioned, the abbey can only be reached by boat or on foot. The ferry leaves from the port of Camogli (Cruise Terminal) and runs between Camogli – Punta Chiappa – San Fruttuoso. You can use this company, for example. The trip takes about 30 minutes. There are also two trekking trails leading to the abbey. The first (Batterie) is very challenging and leads partly along a cliff. On the route you can see several World War II bunkers. The second (Pietre Strette) is located inland and is much easier. There are a few small bars on site but they are only open in season. So you should also think about bringing water or food with you.
Żaneta studied Italian language at the university, so the choice of Italy for the honeymoon was obvious. Deciding where exactly they wanted their honeymoon session was a little more difficult. Italy has too many breathtaking locations. That’s why I helped them with the choice and suggested several locations. Among my ideas, they chose one from the Cinque Terre. I was excited about the location – a wedding session in Riomaggiore creates many photographic opportunities. Hidden in the shadows narrow streets. The energizing colors of the houses. The close hum of the sea. Fishing boats in the small harbor. All this created the perfect backdrop for the newlyweds.
Is August a good month for a photo shoot?
The wedding session in Riomaggiore took place in August. The summer sun gives the colors an amazing intensity. And the amount of light allows for unhurried photography. However, there are also a few downsides. The high temperatures make it difficult to stand in wedding clothes. That’s why I often urge gentlemen to take off their jackets. Moreover, August is vacation time in Italy and the number of tourists definitely increases. As you can see, I have my tricks to keep the crowds out of the photos. However, I suppose that more introverted people might feel uncomfortable posing among such a number of people. Therefore, if you have a choice, I recommend choosing the months of May, June or September for your sessions.
The waters are barely lit on the surface, but you can feel their dark depth. The sea is like that, and that’s why I love it!
A call to life and an invitation to death.
Albert Camus, American Journals
Artistic collage tells the story of the Girl and the Sea. Their relationship varies between harmonious connection and competition. It starts with a confident leap that gets out of hand. However, panic disappears in the rhythmic waves of water. This natural meditation brings self-confidence back. Control over the situation returns. However, it is not a rigid demarcation of boundaries, but a joyful synergy.
BACKROOM
Before creating a photo session with Francesca, I knew that I wanted to try something new. Fortunately, my model was very open to ideas. The sea appeared very instinctively. When creating artistic collage, I used my photos of the Ligurian Sea and Paradise Bay (Golfo Paradiso). It turned out that it is also a special place for Franceska – the place of her wedding.
The small town of Żyrardów near Warsaw has the atmosphere of an English industrial city. Not without a reason. The first thing that catches the eye after arriving in the town is the coherent, brick buildings. Such uniformity in urban planning is not common in Poland. However, few people realize that garden city Żyrardów has origins in the concept of the British planner and urban planner Ebenezer Howard.
The Concept of The Garden City
The industrial revolution in nineteenth century England had a very strong impact on urban planning. People came to cities in search of work, which led to overcrowding and deterioration of living conditions. The answer to this problem was to be the idea of “garden cities”. They are supposed to be settled on the outskirts of large industrial centers. Ebenezer Howard in his concept tried to combine the features of urban and rural buildings. The advantages that were to attract new residents were:
sparsely populated – 32,000 people in 9,000 acres (3,642 ha),
green areas (4:1 ratio with built-up areas),
self-sufficiency of the city,
urban infrastructure and access to cultural and social life,
compact, low housing.
His satellite “garden city” had a concentric plan. The boulevards radiated from its center, dividing the city into six equal parts. In the center Howard planned a round square with a garden and surrounding public and cultural buildings. Other rings extending from the center are: the Central Public Park, a glass arcade – a marketplace, a residential zone, a green belt and an industrial zone. Six of these satellite towns are located around the central city. They were all communicated with each other and surrounded with arable fields. In Poland, the greatest number of “garden cities” were built around Warsaw.
Garden city Żyrardów did not reflect Howard’s exact concept, but adapted many of its features. The settlement was established among fields and forests in 1830, when, on the order of the government of the Kingdom of Poland, Filip de Girard 1 moved a linen factory 2 there. In 1857, the new factory owners, Karol Hielle and Karol Dittrich, extended the settlement based on the idea of a “garden city”.
Żyrardów as a Garden City
Carefully prepared plans made Żyrardów a self-sufficient center. Compact, low housing estates for employees had higher standards. Buildings were surrounded by home gardens and had storages, allowing for storing supplies and breeding small animals. Seven villas, inspired by the French Renaissance, were designed for the factory’s senior officials. The service part included, among others a nursery, schools, mills, a slaughterhouse, shops, a bathing beach, a laundry, a canteen, a fire brigade, a hospital, churches and a cemetery. All buildings had a uniform style and materials (brick). Of course, greenery has not been forgotten. The buildings were built on large plots of land, surrounded by gardens and green belts. Public parks were supplemented with sports (sports fields) and cultural (amphitheater) infrastructure. Until the outbreak of World War I, Żyrardów was the largest linen factory in Europe.
1Philippe Henri de Girard is a French engineer and inventor, incl. first flax spinning frame. In 1825, at the request of the Minister of the Treasury of the Kingdom of Poland – Prince Franciszek Ksawery Drucki-Lubecki, he took the position of chief mechanic at the Mining Department of the Revenue and Treasury Government Commission. Interestingly, the very Polish-sounding name of the city comes from the French name of Filip de Girard, or more from its polonized version – Filip de Żirard. 2 The factory was originally located in Marymont – a district of Warsaw.
This photo session was inspired mainly by nature and femininity. The portrait with flowers became the perfect answer to the next lockdown, longing for nature and the upcoming winter. The idea of photos also refers to the language of flowers, the symbolism of which has always fascinated me. Probably each of us knows that red rose means love and white lilies signifies purity. But in fact, each flower has a hidden message for us.
Language of Flowers
The symbolic meaning of flowers has been present in culture for centuries – adapted from classical mythology, religious symbolism and ancient tradition. However, it was Louise Cortambert (pseudonym Madame Charlotte de la Tour) that defined the cryptologic language of flowers by writing her dictionary Le langage des Fleurs (19th century). Her book conquered mainly France, England and the United States, as well as other European and South American countries.
The Victorian era (Great Britain, 19th century) was fascinated by the secret language of flowers. At a time when direct expression of affection was unwelcome, floral arrangements became intercessors of hidden messages. The “talking bouquets” were called nosegays1 or tussie-mussies. They were often part of clothing – they were kept close to the nose, used as a brooch, hair ornament, or tied around the waist. Interestingly, the idea of wearing bouquets on clothes has a much less romantic origin. Flowers and herbs placed close to the nose supposed to deal with the plagues and the unpleasant smell of dirty cities. Nowadays, tussie-mussie has survived as a popular wedding accessory.
Ilaria & Alstromeria
We chose flowers for the session together with Ilaria, guided by our intuition. All in very feminine tones of white and pink. I checked their meaning afterwards. It turned out that they perfectly match Ilaria’s personality and convey a very interesting message:
Alstroemeria – Sacrifice⠀
Eustoma – Recognition⠀
Gerbera – Joy⠀
Gypsophila – Infinite love⠀
Pink Carnation – I will never forget you⠀
I decided to complete the portrait with flowers with pictures of frozen alstroemeria. The abstract, watercolor effect of the close-ups is the perfect addition to the entire gallery.
If you are curious about the meanings of other flowers, you can use this DICTIONARY. I also invite you to CONTACT me for flower photo sessions and to see the other portrait GALLERY.
It is easier to feel comfortable with a camera lens in the well-known space of a home. Personal objects are perfect as props,that complete the story captured in the picture. A sensual, female photoshoot requires such a cosy atmosphere. Thisway, we can allow ourselves for more private or bold shots. First of all, I would like to show delicateness in the photos.In daily life, this feature is put on the back burner, because modern women have to be strong. Thesephotographs, seen with the perspective of the time, made a great impression on me. I Know well the story of my models. The contrast between natural gentleness and inner power of these women is huge. Independent travellers searching for their place in the world. Guardians of the hearth and home. Partners side by side. Designers with artistic souls and defined expectations.Owners and managers of the businesses.Impulsive volcanoes of energy. Deliberatedreference points. Accountants counting just on their own. Always at somebody’s command.Award of personal borders. Fighting for their dreams with afate. The poem of Wisława Szymborska represents perfectly the contradictions of female nature.
Portrait of a Woman
She must be willing to please. To change so that nothing should change. It’s easy, impossible, hard, worth trying. Her eyes are if need be now deep blue, now gray, dark, playful, filled for no reason with tears. She sleeps with him like some chance acquaintance, like his one and only. She will bear him four children, no children, one. Naive yet giving the best advice. Weak yet lifting the weightiest burdens. Has no head on her shoulders but will have. Reads Jaspers and ladies’ magazines. Doesn’t know what this screw is for and will build a bridge. Young, as usual young, as always still young. Holds in her hands a sparrow with a broken wing, her own money for a journey long and distant, a meat-cleaver, poultice, and a shot of vodka. Where is she running so, isn’t she tired? Not at all, just a bit, very much, doesn’t matter. Either she loves him or has made up her mind to. For better, for worse, and for heaven’s sake.
Translated by Magnus J. Kryński
and Robert A. Maguire
Model of the female photoshoot: Joanna, Sylwia, Fia, Ewa, two Olas, Beata, Jola, Alicja, Kasia, Ilona and Karolina. Thank you very much! I would also like to tell your story. So feel free to CONTACT me. I invite you to check my other GALLERIES with portraits.
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