Mariana lived in Genoa only for a few weeks and I hope that this female photoshoot in Nervi will be a beautiful souvenir of that time for her. I have already taken photos by the sea many times, but this time we went a step further (literally and figuratively) towards the water. We took portraits in the first days of autumn on Caprafico beach.
I wanted to recreate the relationship between man and the element, but not as an attempt to tame it, but as a harmonious coexistence. The portraits show this connection in a very feminine and sensual energy. After all, bathing in the sea is both a feeling of being lost in its vastness and the power of its limitlessness. It is a rhythmic dance that our body performs, surrendering to the waves. A sting of pain as salt water rushes into your eyes. The young moon was already visible in the sky, towering over the last rays of the setting sun. Many religions associate the moon with female energy because of its connection with both the menstrual cycle and the woman’s life cycle.
Nervi
Nervi is the easternmost district of Genoa and can be easily reached by train, which stops almost right on the seafront. Was it originally a Celt colony? Very likely. Its name comes from the saying “near av inn” – a place close to the sea. Its most beautiful part is the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi1 promenade suspended on the cliffs, which, attacked by waves, leads to a quiet port. Maybe this road still remembers its humble beginnings and the daily path of fishermen and farmers? Or the glory days when wealthy patricians built their summer residences here? Over time, the growing settlement absorbed the parks of seaside villas. The remaining parts of the gardens were combined into the Parchi di Nervi botanical complex. People here don’t talk much. Probably because the sea drowns them out.
Annotations:
1Wife and comrade-in-arms of Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi who united Italy.
Going for a walk “fare una passeggiata” is a ritual for many Italians and the seaside promenade of Corso Italia is perfect for this. That’s why my street photography of Genoa focuses there. The promenade stretches lazily along the coast, like a boundary between the steady city and the changing sea. Someone pours sunshine there every day, which slows down the steps and encourages mindfulness. Despite half-closed eyes from the light and the sound of the waves in your head. Of course, it is not necessary to have a goal or a finish line. The important thing is to walk ahead, which becomes very fluid in the company of the sea. And you don’t even realize when, almost in a meditative state, you reach the end. And at the end – the ancient borgo Boccadasse, a former sailors’ settlement. A small bay opens its mouth to the salty waves. Simple, nestled houses have loud colors and smell like a sea. They don’t match the splendor of la Superba1, so they are hidden behind a corner.
Of course, as it is in Italy, it is difficult for a walk to go without food. That’s why, if you make it to Boccadasse, I recommend trying cono fritto at Ge8317 (a cone with fried seafood and vegetables), snacks from Il Genovese and, for dessert, ice cream from Antica Gelateria Amedeo. While here you can see photos from Genoa.
The photo shoot in Nervi turned out to be a success, despite the cloudy sky. The sea is always amazing, regardless of the weather. The contrast of turquoise water and dark sky created a beautiful background, adding character and charm to each photo. During the session, the magical atmosphere of the beach was captured, and the gentle sound of the waves added additional depth to the photos. Despite the vagaries of the weather, every moment was full of life and energy, which made the photos exceptionally charming and authentic. The rough sea contrasts interestingly with the lovers’ small gestures of tenderness, emphasising the intimacy of their relationship. Their feeling seems to be the last form of existence that survived the attack of the forces of nature.
Nervi is the easternmost district of Genoa and can be easily reached by train, which stops almost right on the seafront. Was it originally a Celt colony? Very likely. Its name comes from the saying “near av inn” – a place close to the sea. Its most beautiful part is the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi1 promenade suspended on the cliffs, which, attacked by waves, leads to a quiet port. Maybe this road still remembers its humble beginnings and the daily path of fishermen and farmers? Or the glory days when wealthy patricians built their summer residences here? Over time, the growing settlement absorbed the parks of seaside villas. The remaining parts of the gardens were combined into the Parchi di Nervi botanical complex. People here don’t talk much. Probably because the sea drowns them out.
Me, You and the Sea
Marzia Sicignano
Don’t just take anyone to see the sea, that’s a big deal. […]
Bring someone you don’t have to talk to, because the sea is a silent film that surprises you with its colors, with the sensations it provokes in your guts, and not so much with the sound of the waves, of course, but also. But what really counts, of the sea, are the nuances. As of everything that is beautiful, after all.
Bring someone who has been able to show you that you are worth much more than you think, than what you would expect, someone who makes you a priority and not a pastime, who can feel your tragedies inside without thinking that they are trivial and irrelevant.
Bring to see the sea, someone who can understand you without talking who lift you up if you are lost who lets you lean on his shoulder when you fall, […].
Bring someone, who makes you feel inside a perfect, stupendous chaos, who makes you feel that it is beautiful to wake up in the morning, just beautiful.
Bring us someone like that, and you’ll feel like you’re seeing something amazing, something shocking and you’ll feel like you’re seeing the sea for the first time in your life because it’s so beautiful you’ve never seen it before.
I myself tried to translate a poem by Marzia Sicignano. You can read the text in the original Italian here.
I also invite you to see other galleries of portraits of couples with Bella Italia in the background.
Annotations:
1Wife and comrade-in-arms of Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi who united Italy.
Microcement bathroom combines minimalist design and functionality. It can be used on walls, floors and even ceilings. Surfaces made with this technique are homogeneous: they do not require joints. The use of the same, uniform material optically enlarges the interior. In addition, it is a hygienic solution, as we avoid the accumulation of dirt in the joints. Therefore, it is ideal for bathrooms of any size. In this project, in addition to the walls and floors, there is also a countertop combined with a washbasin and illuminated niches for cosmetics. The whole was complemented with glass elements and dark stone decorations. Light can be an interior decoration in itself. The LED light cutout above the bathroom mirror has a very practical use, but also creates a striking illumination. The play of light and shadow beautifully highlights the structure of the microcement. Glass elements and dark stone decorations complement the entire interior.
Between Art & Design
I took the photos for the studio Between Art & Design. Three brothers: Jacksona, Luisa i Leonarda Villamizar founded the company in 2018 in Genoa. Between mainly deals with residential design and building renovation. Their specialisation is microcement, custom-made furniture and resin floors. Regardless of whether it is a large project or a small renovation, they always put clients at the centre of attention, combining work with technical and artistic advice. You can see more details of the microcement finishes here.
Microcement is a decorative finishing material that offers enormous possibilities. It can be applied to walls, floors and even furniture. The number of textures and colours is endless and the only limit is your imagination. It is perfect for industrial, minimalist interiors, emphasising the geometry of the space. Its three-dimensional texture introduces a play of shadows that change with daylight and the illumination. A matte or polished finish of the material introduces additional effects. Therefore, interiors with microcement will never be boring. However, microcement is not only an aesthetic finish. Thanks to its composition (mainly cement and resins), it creates durable, water-resistant coatings. This is why it works well in bathrooms (photos of the realisation here), kitchens or public spaces.
Between Art & Design
The photographs were commissioned by Italian company Between Art & Design. Three brothers: Jackson, Luis and Leonardo Villamizar started their business in 2018 in Genoa. Between mainly deals with residential design and building renovation. Their speciality is specifically in microcement, custom-made furniture and resin flooring. Whether it’s a large project or a small renovation, they always put their clients at the heart of their work, combining their work with technical and artistic consultancy.
Is one day in Siena enough to see the city? Certainly not. But it is sufficient to be able to get lost in it. It’s probably my favourite kind of sightseeing – without a plan or tourist spots to pass. That way you don’t have to rush or look at a map too often. And Siena is a great place to wander around.
The pride and sanctity of the inhabitants are the contrade – the districts. Each has its own animal symbol, such as a unicorn, a dragon or a porcupine. Thanks to the ubiquitous flags, signs and coats of arms, it is very easy to see which district you are in. The very strong neighbourhood ties and local patriotism of each contrade are something unparalleled in Italy. It is rumoured that a relationship with someone from outside the district is still seen as a bit of a misalliance. Representatives of the contrade take part in the famous Palio – the horse races around the main Piazza del Campo square. It is a major festival held twice a year – on 2 June and 16 August. The Palio riders are treated almost like famous footballers. The square is also very unusual – semi-circular and sloping. It was built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheatre.
The perfect complement to aimless wandering around the city is good food. Tuscany has perhaps one of Italy’s most meat-based cuisines. Therefore, I would like to recommend two restaurants that I managed to test while in Siena: Antica Trattoria Papei and Osteria La Sosta di Violante.
Travel Palette of Siena
In Italy, I miss the golden Polish autumn and its colours. However, one day in Siena made me feel a bit of a fall atmosphere. It turned out that the city has beautiful warm colours. First of all, a warming burnt sienna. Yes, this colour is named after the city. An enveloping and aromatic saffron. The mild tan provides a beautiful background for the other, more vibrant colours. Did you know that the Polish language lacks many terms for shades of the colour brown? The English name “tan” means the colour of tanned leather. In Polish, it is simply light brown. Misty pink, on the other hand, adds a dreamy atmosphere of dawn and dusk.
The capital was the last stop on my Iceland trip (gallery). After two weeks in the middle of stunning nature, a walk around Reykjavík turned out to be a completely different experience. I think we already get used to the emptiness, space and desertedness. And since our road trip was quite intense, we decided to spend the last three days in Iceland wandering around without a specific (tourist) destination and eating well.
The capital
The capital region is home to two-thirds of the country’s population, which is only 222,500 people. You can imagine that it is not the largest city. That’s why a walk around Reykjavik is very relaxing. Even despite the cold weather. The city lacks the rush of other European capitals. The streets are bustling but without the noise of cars (maybe because most of them are electric?). Restaurants and bars are full of people and good food – I particularly recommend Braud & Co and Forréttabarinn. Although the city plan is not regular, Reykjavik gives the impression of being very structured thanks to its uniform architecture. Whether it is traditional wooden houses, industrial buildings or modern architecture, we can see that symmetry and rhythm are maintained. A beautiful contrast to the whole is the ubiquitous, energising street art.
Travel Palette of Reykjavik
The city repeats the country’s natural colours – dark, silvery and cold. But we can also notice other strong colours, especially present in street art and architectural details. The most common of these is red.
The photo session in Milan is a surprise gift from Paweł to Ewelina on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. Their shared passion for travelling, especially around Italy, made it an unforgettable experience. This time, it was the first trip with an enlarged team – their little daughter was born. That’s why Paweł and I agreed to the photo program and the route of visiting places much earlier, taking into account the needs of the young mother and baby. During summer photo sessions in Italy, it is important to remember how severe the heat can be. We were lucky that day and the temperature dropped.
We started our photo walk at the famous Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – the landmark of Milan. After that we entered the Museo del Novecento (20th Century Museum). Few people know that its floor offers a beautiful view of the cathedral, and photos can be taken without a crowd of tourists in the background, which adds a unique charm to them. The walk also took us through the charming streets of Via dei Mercanti and Via Dante to reach the Sforza Castle and Sempione Park. Our little model turned out to be extremely patient, which also allowed me to capture several touching portraits for her parents. It was a special day full of emotions and beautiful moments that they will now be able to capture forever thanks to photography.
Privacy during the photo session
Out of concern for the privacy of photographed people, I always act based on their wishes. and do not publish photos without consent. In response to the parents’ request, I respect the decision not to publish photos with their daughter’s recognizable face. 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.
nitially, we were supposed to meet in Milan. After talking to me, Klaudia, Mateusz and the little dog Fado changed their minds and decided that they were coming to Liguria. Were you surprised by this decision? Milan is a stunning city. However, you will not find narrow streets with colourful houses there, nor is there the sea, which delights regardless of the weather and creates a beautiful background for photos. Our photoshoot in Liguria had a nostalgic and electrifying atmosphere. Despite the cloudy sky, there was a promise of sun and summer. Klaudia and Mateusz decided to have a photo session in two locations. In order not to burden them too much, we took the photos on different days.
Boccadasse
The first choice is the Genoese classic – Boccadasse. Bocadâze in the Genoese dialect means “donkey’s mouth” and refers to a type of fishing net. There was once a small fishing village here, which over time the city absorbed it into its structure. However, what remains of it are beautiful, colourful houses and a bay with a beach and a port for boats. Walking through the streets of Boccadasse you can feel like you are in the animated Disney movie Luca. We took the last photos of the day on the nearby Belvedere Capo Di Santa Chiara observation deck. The navy blue and turquoise colour of the sea and the cloudy sky created the most beautiful background for photos.
Camogli
The next day, despite the uncertain weather, we met for the second photo session, this time in Camogli. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful towns on the eastern Ligurian Riviera. Why? Colourful houses lined up right on the shore of the beach. There is no shortage of charming, narrow streets. And a small, hidden port full of boats encourages you to go out to sea. The name of the town has a very romantic origin. Sailors going to sea left their wives in their shared house – Casa de Mogile, which literally means “wife’s house” in Italian. After finishing the photos, we sat down with a glass of Aperol and a piece of focaccia al formaggio. at the Sea Bar Bistro. Focaccia al formaggio is a traditional dish from nearby Recco – white cheese baked between thin layers of dough.
The photoshoot at Golfo Paradiso was made to say goodbye to summer. In 2022, with Saba and Stephanie, we decided to celebrate almost at the end of the world – we went for an aperitivo to Punta Chiappa on the charming bay of Golfo Paradiso (Italian: Paradise Bay). It is located in the eastern part of the Ligurian Riviera. Punta Chiappa, on the other hand, is a sharp section of land – la punta (it. the point). This place is part of the Portofino Natural Park, a Marine Protected Area of the commune of Camogli. We took a train from Genoa to beautiful Camogli. While waiting for the water taxi to take us to Punta Chiappa, we saw a small port. We were also lucky because on this day the Dragonara castle was open to visitors.
Capitan Mugugno
Finally, a water taxi took us to the Capitan Mugugno bar hidden among the cliffs. From the motorboat we could admire the panorama of Camogli – it looks even more beautiful from the sea. The journey took about 15 minutes and transportation was provided by the bar. Capitan Mugugno is the size of a kiosk and opens only in the summer season. Fortunately, summer lasts a very long time in Italy. The tables are placed on a concrete platform right by the sea. When you get off the boat, you can almost immediately take your seat. To the delight of all adult “children”, there is also a swing there!
We were very lucky again and got a table at the very end of the pier – with a view of the sea. Thanks to this, we had the opportunity to observe how the colours of the water and sky change with the setting sun. The passage of time was clearly visible, but I felt as if everything had stopped. The isolation, the sound of the sea and the spectacle of light were like meditation. The whole thing was crowned by the night illumination of towns visible on the distant shore and the endless, dark nothingness of the water. We said goodbye to summer in the most magical way we could have imagined.
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