Creative & bold photographer for art, fashion, & luxury industry who is creating exceptional editorials for brands and different clients
TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOU & WHERE YOU FROM AND WHO WERE YOUR BIGGEST ARTISTIC INFLUENCERS?
I was born in South Africa and raised in Milan, Italy. My career started at age sixteen, producing records for independent rock’n’roll local bands. Soon I started taking pics of the bands and personalities in this scene, I loved experimenting with all kind of techniques and cameras. I always kept my passion alive covering portraits of the underground Milan scene of rock bands, nightclubbing and personalities.
I like: dynamism, sex, relationships, boundaries that are transgressed, beautiful men, beautiful women, ugly emotions, ecstasy, ferocious beasts. Regarding my influences: Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdain, Chris Von Wangenheim, David La Chapelle, Jean Danielle Lorieux, Steven Klein. They speak my language visually. Each in their own right broke the rules, pushed the boundaries and created outstanding bodies of work that inspired and continue to inspire generations of artists, creatives and tastemakers and will continue to do so eternally.
HOW WAS YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY BORN?
I’m still thinking about it.
ON WHAT SENSE DO YOU WANT TO LIAISE TO YOUR ONLOOKERS WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
I love trash, bright colors and attitude. I like adding fun and I do my best to bring it out in the pics pushing my subjects to experiment and show another side of them that hasn’t been portrayed before. I like taking things in stride doing my best not to toe the line.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY IS VERY MUCH "BOLD" & YOUR PICS ARE MORE IN BODY POSITIVITY & ACCEPTANCE. IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR THOUGHT PROCESS THAT INSPIRES YOU TO CLICK THESE KINDS OF PICTURES?
Personally I don’t really care if someone is male, female, yellow, black, white, green... I think we still need a long way to get over all of these distinctions, to create real integration. I judge people by what they do and my job gives me the luxury to meet them, play with them and exchange views.
THE TOPIC OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY ARE MAJORLY "GENDER NEUTRAL" AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN". WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS IN THE MODERN WORLD?
When I was at elementary school I was in love with my classmate Valentina.
I always used to take pictures of her and her beautiful ass. Unfortunately my love didn’t meet hers so she used to kick my ass badly. When we grew up she called me to commission me her wedding pics. Finally I’m getting payed to shoot that ass!
I’ve always pushed my was during rock shows managing to sneak in the backstages and getting to have a chat and take portraits of my teen idols: John Spencer Blues explosion, Detroit Cobras, The Ramones, Lou Reed, Cheap Trick, Primal Scream...
CAN YOU TELL US FEW OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS YOU HAVE WORKED ON TILL NOW?
Fortunatly with time I got commissioned to take portraits of other personalities I’ve always loved: Ewan Mc Gregor from the evergreen movie Trainspotting for Moto Guzzi, Kate Moss for YSL, Gloria Gaynor... Lately I got to shoot now personalities such as: Tea Hacic, Sita Abellan- Love them both! Atm I'm working on a book and a couple of exhibitions saving for a Mustang and doing my best not getting a heart attack.
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For DareClan
Images provided by Stefano