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.
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.
The personal brand portrait of Elisa was a very interesting challenge because she is my teacher. In the photos, I wanted to show the connection between the art of yoga and nature, hence the choice of location – Nervi Park in Genoa. Yoga aims to balance the body and mind for a harmonious flow of elemental energy. These five elements are earth, water. fire, air and space.
Earth element (Root Chakra) makes us calm, grounded and safe. It also represents the structures of our bodies—bones, flesh, skin.
Water (Sacral Chakra) is responsible for flexibility, play, creativity and connection with our emotions. It is naturally represented by body fluids – saliva, digestive juices, synovial fluid, reproductive fluids and blood.
Correlating moods for Fire Element (Solar Plexus Chakra) are inner strength, discipline, motivation and change. It represents heat, light, digestion, and metabolism.
Air Element (Heart Chakra) is all about love, compassion, intellect and lightheartedness. It represents all forms of motion like blood circulation, breath, thoughts or motion.
Aether or the Element of Space (Throat Chakra) makes us open. Moreover, it is the source of intuition and wisdom of the universe. This element rules the spaces of the body, for example the interior of our cells.
Why is a personal brand portrait important in creating a personal brand?
Branding photography is of great importance in today’s competitive market. In a world where your personal brand is crucial to your professional success, high-quality photos play a key role in shaping your online identity. The visual representation of the brand shows professionalism, credibility and personality to potential clients or employers. A well-executed brand portrait captures not only the physical appearance, but also the essence of a person’s brand history, values and unique strengths. It provides insight into their character, expertise and approachability, strengthening trust and connection with the audience. Moreover, consistent brand portraits across platforms ensure brand recognition and reinforce brand messaging, contributing to a strong and memorable image. Whether entrepreneurs, freelancers or corporate professionals, investing in professional branding portrait photography is essential to building a compelling brand presence that stands out in today’s competitive marketplace.
I have visited Turin several times. By coincidence, it was always winter or the beginning of spring, when the sky is clear of frost and the smell of snow is in the air. I miss it so much after moving to warm Italy, so maybe that’s why the city was love at first sight. Additionally, the short winter days beautifully lengthen the shadows and the honey light emphasises the monochromatic colours of the city and highlights the elegant architectural details.
Turin was the capital of Italy in the years 1861–1865 and its history is distinguished by continuous economic and cultural development. This is very visible in the city’s urban planning and architecture. An orthogonal, orderly grid of streets is lined with elegant tenement houses. The architecture of the buildings and the materials used indicate discreet wealth and prosperity. The wide streets are full of shops, restaurants and cafes, but uniform signs and the lack of flashy advertisements introduce an element of effortless elegance. The dynamic development and young spirit of the city deprive it of conservatism. Cultural diversity is visible, among others, in the rich collections of the Egyptian and Oriental Museum. However, my favourite exhibition space is theGallerie d’Italia.
Turin Travel Palette
Turin street photography helps you get to know the city and observe its colours. The capital of Piedmont is known for chocolate, so this sweet shade of brown is not accidental. What’s more, it is present everywhere, not only in cafes (I especially recommend Caffè Baratti & Milano and Caffè Platti). Staying on the topic of sweets – the next colour in Turin’s palette is caramel. It combines brown shades of old gold with winter, honey light. The bright colour is white and yellow alabaster. This mineral is used as a decorative stone, so it fits perfectly into the elegant character of the city. The final colour is a deep firebrick that adds some temperament to this monochromatic composition.
This is another unique female photoshoot in Genoa! The inspiration for the photos was the work of American photographer Jamie Beck, whose works resemble impressionist paintings, rich in mysterious light and colour. The portraits mainly depict women and very often the author herself. Everyday life photographed seems to have a distant, mysterious meaning. The colours are very different from my photos – the deep colours are subdued with sepia, making them look like they come from distant times. From the very beginning, I was sure that Saba, with her elegant beauty, femininity and impenetrable personality, would perfectly fit the atmosphere of the photo session. In addition, like photographer Jaimie Beck, she is interested in French culture.
Palaces of Genoa
We started shooting in the beautiful patrician palace Palazzo Doria Tursi on via Garibaldi. This is one of my favourite places for portraits in Genoa. Currently, the palace houses the city hall, so it is open to everyone and can be visited without any obstacles. The second place was the Palazzo Imperiale in Piazza Campetto. On its first floor there is a stunning atrium (and the Les Rouges cocktail bar, which I highly recommend). Definitely less light reaches there, but it makes the portraits more mysterious. The elegant, classic architecture and interiors were complemented by a bouquet composed especially for this occasion by the TSVIT Italy flower shop. This session is a combination of inspiring artistic patterns, feminine energy and mystery. Additionally, the atmosphere of patrician villas in Genoa takes us back in time, creating unforgettable images.
Portrait of a woman
Finally, a poem by Polish poet Wisława Szymborska, presenting a portrait of a modern woman. I think it fits perfectly into the atmosphere of my photo session, referring to the inscrutable and changeable female nature.
She must come in many varieties. To change so that nothing ever changes. It’s easy, impossible, hard, worth trying. Her eyes are, as needed, now deep blue, now grey, dark, playful, brimming for no reason with tears. She sleeps with him like a one-night stand, like his one and only. With him, she will have four children, no children, one. Naïve, yet giving the best advice. Weak, yet able to bear anything. 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 little sparrow with a broken wing, her own money for a journey long and distant a meat-cleaver, a poultice and a shot of vodka. Where is she running like that, isn’t she tired? Not at all, just a bit, very much, it’s not a problem. Either she loves him or is determined to. For better, for worse, and for heavens sake.
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