“Perhaps the thing that I always hope is that my work do not go unnoticed, that can make people think, laugh, to be surprised and, why not, even to disturb them, but I hope that these will not be forgotten.”
The work of Italian photographer Tatiana Minelli is a wonderful mix between unexpected moments and strong portraits.
What moment made you fall in love with photography?
My love for photography was like a wirlwind romance, started with a compact camera when I was 16 and then grew more and more. The best thing is that this love increases every day, changing shape and substance.
Who are some of your favorite classic photographers, and how did they influence you?
Richard Avedon was one of the first photographers I “discovered”, I’ve always admired the class and the elegance he has, which have never resulted in banality. Peter Lindbergh is another photographer that I admire very much, his strength and his intuition make me crazy. Among the first that I started to follow there is also Kirsty Mitchell that I think has its own unique magic, as well as Tim Walker. I also love the sincerity and being so direct of Paolo Roversi. Other names are: Francesca Woodman, Toni Frissell, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, Gian Paolo Barbieri, Gregory Crewdson, Oliviero Toscani, Letizia Battaglia, Steve McCurry, Elliot Erwitt, etc.
Your portofolio is full of super strong portraits, and lots of creative shootings. How and where do you find the inspirations and ideas for your photographs?
Honestly my photos are very intuitive, I often see an object and I think “Yes, I should use it for a picture!” And from there everything starts. My head is a chaos of ideas, images and emotions and I suppose I vent them through my photos.
“My head is a chaos of ideas, images and emotions and I suppose I vent them through my photos.”
Are your photos more planned or more spontaneous?
I would say a nice mix, because sometimes intuition comes before the shots and I work on it. At other times I program a mood and then I create at the moment. So I would say that the two things “work” together, one does not overpower the other.
What do you want your viewers to take away from your work?
I am aware that my photos are often particular, eccentric, I do not pretend therefore that they should please everyone. Perhaps the thing that I always hope is that they do not go unnoticed, that can make people think, laugh, to be surprised and, why not, even to disturb them, but I hope that these will not be forgotten.
“Lately I realized that every failure is just a way to get stronger, I started to think positive and accept things as they come.”
How to deal with failure?
Until a few months ago I was taking very badly things that did not go well, I tended to break down often and think negative. Lately I realized that every failure is just a way to get stronger, I started to think positive and accept things as they come. In doing so, things around me change too.
Is there anything else you want to tell our readers?
First of all, I thank you for this wonderful interview and for the opportunity given to me. To those who are reading I would just say that I hope with all my heart that my photos can please you, never give up if you have a dream and always believe in it! I know it may sound like an obvious thing, but what would life be without dreams? And I want to send a special thanks to Simone Galantini for the translation.
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