Interview: Photographer Roberto Zaninelli (Italy)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Born and living in Milano, big lover of sports and nature, after years in office, taking pictures for hobby, since 2018 I’m dedicating to photography, having a studio in partner with other 3 photographers. Portrait and body language are my main passion and I use mainly natural light to tell. I always shot in black and white, rarely in colour.

How and when did you get into photography?

I started shooting when I was a child, with my father’s camera, a Ricoh 500 G that I used till end of 80’s After, other little cameras till arrive to digital and mirrorless cameras and, on 2010 the first reflex. With all mentioned cameras, thousands of landscapes, basically in mountain, during hiking and climbing, but also underwater photography from 2010. In the meanwhile, I studied participating to courses and workshops. At the end of 2017 just out of curiosity, I participated to a portrait workshop and I fallen in love with it. Again, books and masterclass dedicated to portrait and hours and hours to study and experience of use of light in studio. The choice of black and white was really a natural choice for my storytelling photos. I had in these last year my portraits in some national and international expositions and this summer I had my first personal exposition in Italy.

What does photography mean to you?

Passion and emotion. I do not care about beauty; I’m focused on what the subject is able to convey, tell, through their look and body.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I define myself a passional photographer, It’s a merging journey with the subject, an intimate connection. I ask to my subject to free their mind and free her body to “talk” in order to externalize emotions, passion, pathos.

Where do you get inspiration from?

From the subject and from what I see in them.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes, I always know what I want obtain from a shot, even if my subjects are free to play on set.

It happens sometime that I left in a session some kind of pictures focusing to others, following the particular connection of the moment with the subject. This is the beauty of photography…

Studio, on location or both?

I would say 90/20% but only because my studio has a beautiful natural light to provide me to create good set.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

It’s becoming more than a hobby

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I have not a particular memory- I think that a great session is when you start, with no seeming feeling, empathy, not often luckily and finish with great pics.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Nikon. Mainly 85, 105 and sometime 50 mm

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Be egoist! do not do what people want to see, take what you love in terms of emotion and what the subject conveys to you.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like it, as all photography magazine.

Instagram: robertozaninelli - web: www.robertozaninelli.com