Name: Roberta
Location: Rome
Equipment: I have two Nikon cameras (D800 and D750) with 4 lenses (Nikon 85mm f1.8, Sigma Art 35mm f1.4, Nikon 50mm f1.4, Nikon 24mm f2.8).
How long have you lived in your city? I was born in Rome and grew up here. I was away for 3 years while I was living in Grenada (Spain), London (UK), and Bogotà (Colombia).
How did you come to be a photographer? Tell us a little about your background.
I love art. When I was young, I went to an arts high school, and after that, I went to university where I studied graphic design and architecture. But photography was always a part of my life, and I always took photos all the time. After my graduation, I started to work in a communication agency as a graphic designer, but I discovered that it was very boring. At this time of my life, I felt that I wanted to know the world and its people better. So I won a scholarship and I moved to Colombia to study arts and multimedia, but it was really an excuse to travel. When I came back, I realized that I needed to change my job, to travel more and to start to photograph people.
I love this part of my job, as photography doesn’t really make sense for me without people. It is a way for me to know better other human beings who always fascinate me, to travel and to be myself. This is what it means to be creative.
How would you describe your personal photography style?
My photography style is a mix of photojournalism and elegant, stylish photos. I really love to capture the emotions and the spontaneous moments, and to create something that I have in my mind or that I am inspired by.
I play with light. I love the word “photography” as it means exactly that: writing with light.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
I think inspiration comes from everywhere if you are ready to receive it.
I like to keep my mind awake, so I read books, watch movies, go to expositions, and travel a lot. I also take inspiration from the history of photography by looking at the masters and attempting to recreate that atmosphere in couples and portrait sessions, or even in a wedding.
What album is on repeat when you’re editing photos?
When I edit photos, I love to listen to my favourite playlists on Spotify, but I also listen to podcasts, interviews and audiobooks.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading two books right now. The first one is called “Portfolio,” and it’s written by an Italian historian, critic and essayist. It give some insight regarding the sequencing of photographs that tell a story and how you can build a sequence with your own photos. The second book is “The Secret Rome,” and is about the locations where the famous movie “The Great Beauty” was filmed. Is it very interesting because you can learn more about Rome and about how the director interpreted my beautiful city for his film.
Where is your favourite place to shoot in your city and why?
I don’t really have a favourite place, but I have favourite light in different places. Any new place that I discover with great light becomes my favourite. The Terrace of Trinità de Monti is always fascinating to me though.
What does a perfect day in your city look like?
A perfect day starts early in the morning with a good coffee and a ride on my motorbike in the empty streets when all the people are still sleeping. Then a nice walk along the alleys to discover new places, speak with the locals, and be always surprised by the beauty of my city. Next is a typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and cornetto in one of the amazing bars in the centre of Rome, sitting outside, reading a book or a newspaper. I’ll then go to some nice exposition, followed by a delicious gelato and relaxing in one of the amazing gardens. At sunset, I like to explore the romantic terraces, go to Trastevere for an aperitif of an Italian glass of wine or a spritz, and then have a delightful dinner in the sophisticated Monti neighbourhood.
Where are your favourite places in your city to get a coffee and or a cocktail?
La Bottega del Caffè in the Monti neighbourhood is one of my favourite. This place has tables outside with a nice atmosphere right in the piazza. It is rather expensive, so I suggest just a coffee and cornetto! Also in Monti, there is another café that is really nice called La Casetta a Monti, but they only have tables inside. Otherwise, close to the Spanish Steps, there is the famous Antico Caffè Greco which is an ancient bar, full of character. It is really nice, but also expensive.
Where was the last trip that you took? Tell us a little bit about the experience.
I travel often for my job, but my last big trip for myself was in Bali. I loved the people’s attitude and all the energy that I felt when I arrived. I liked the rituals, as this is a very spiritual place, and the sensation that the water was everywhere. If you go, I suggest the three Gili Islands that are a boat ride away from Bali (close to Lombok). My favourite was Gili Meno, the smaller, least crowded and most quiet of them. I spent a week there, snorkelling, walking, reading a lot, writing stories and just enjoying being with myself.
If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, where would you live and why?
Definitely in New York. I’ve never visited it, but I will be there this summer and I’m so excited. I know that I will like it, because is a cosmopolitan busy city, which I love. All the people from New York that I meet have said to me that New York and I will love each other.
What do you most enjoy about shooting for Flytographer?
What I really enjoy is the community that I feel part of. It is an amazing community that values local experiences, so I share that with customers while I’m taking photos of them.
See more: interview – Team Flytographer – Rome
