Photographer: Monica Irma Ricci

from Issue75 - September 2021

Model: Alisson Nina

Can you tell us a little about you? My name is Monica Irma Ricci and I am an independe nt photographer born in 1973 in Rome. After obtaining a degree in Sociolog y, a specialization in socio-statistical research a nd some work experiences that did not satisf y me, I decided to d edicate myself to photography. I like photographing people and dancers. During my travels, I like taking photos of landscapes.

How and when did you get into photography? Photography has always been part of my education. I discovered it during my high school and university years but my f irst professional approach to photography is recent , when a friend of mine asked me to photograph her little gi rl because she liked my photos.

What does photography mean to you? Since I was a child, I have always been attracted by people's faces and eyes and by dancers. Photography was a discover y, where I felt from the beginning a deep connection and thr ough which I can truly express myself and enter into connectio n with the people portrayed in my photos.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. I am a portrait and a dancer photographer. The focus of my photography is always the faces, the ey es of people, their expression and the movement of bodies. To this I also combine my passion for vintage (clothes , furniture, etc.) and black and white photography.

Where do you get inspiration from? Present and past great photographers such as Peter Lindbergh, Ir ving Penn, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz inspires me. I also follow Italian photographers like Paolo Roversi, T ina Modotti, Oliviero Toscani, Settimio Benedusi and I attended the workshop of Eolo Perfido.

Model Lucrezia Giordani (EMC CASTING) Mua Mauri Menga Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Dancer and Model Veronica Tundis Mua Mauri Menga Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Do you think in advance what you want in the pictur e? Yes, almost always. A photo starts from an idea th at I tr y to realize. To take a photo I have to organize set, lights, clothes, accessories, colors, makeup, etc. I often look for images as a starting point and from there I rework my idea. Often during the shooting there is an unex pected idea that takes me in another direction, full of surpris es.

Studio, on location or both? I prefer to photograph in the studio, where I have fewer distractions. When I work with dancers, I often decide to shoot in abandoned locations or taking advantage of the beauty that th e landscape where I live offers to me.

What has been your most memorable session and why? This is a difficult question. Ever y shooting is re membered for different reasons: for the new things that I le arn; for people who decide to rely on me for their portrait; for some mistakes that will be avoided in the nex t shoo ting.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? I use Canon, because my first digital SLR was Cano n. For portrait basically use 85mm and 105mm and the other lenses depending on th e shooting.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own busi ness? Follow your heart, what you feel. Believe in yourse lf and ignore criticisms. Study the great photograp hers and tr y to create your own photographic style.

What do you think of our new magazine? I think it's fantastic because it gives visibility even to minor photogra-phers by focusing on quality. A magazine that supp orts you.

Dancer and model: Kamil Paweljasinski Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Dancer and model: Alberto Del Prete (EMC CASTING) Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Actor and model: Daniel Zerbini Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Model Beatrice Simion Mua Martina Chiaccio Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net Model Nicholas Drago (EMC CASTING) Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Actres and Model Giulia Zadra Mua: Erika Marchitelli Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net

Model Anna Maria Caponera (EMC CASTING) Mua Mauri Menga Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net Model Angelica Tomaino (EMC CASTING) Mua Mauri Menga Studio: Hangar63 @LineaB.net