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“If you don’t go for your dreams, what is your life about?”

Four years ago I read this quote on the busy London tube en route to my PA job. I started to think about my dreams and aspirations, and something clicked inside me.

I couldn’t answer the question, all I could do was stare at the words on my phone and think to myself, “What I’m doing…”

Long before this moment of realization, I was a small child born and raised in a wonderfully small fishing town, between Rome and Naples in Italy. Surrounded by sun, sea, delicious food, Amalfi coast style and extremely creative parents. With my dad being a photographer and filmmaker and my mum a writer with a fabulous sense of style, our home was full of books on art and photography and art covered the walls – inspiration was everywhere.

With this environment, I always had a passion for photography growing up. As a teenager my walls were covered by tear sheets of famous photoshoots, top models, photographers and my shelves were filled with Vogue magazines.

I admired this world but it wasn’t until I started photographing my friends (first with Polaroids and then moving forward with digital) and began to see their reactions to my work that I started to think about the power of photography. My photographs made them happy, gave them a new found confidence and felt empowered by the experience.

The road to where I am currently standing has not been a short one. I found myself working and living outside of the photography world for many years, first in Paris and then returning back to Italy. For a long while photography remained a hobby, an untapped dream. I stepped into the photography industry 11 years ago, when I had the opportunity to move and work in London alongside world renowned fashion photographer, Mario Testino. Working at Mario’s studio as a producer, an account & studio manager, it was impossible not to be constantly inspired. The energy he transmitted into his photos and his ability to make every single woman feel incredibly beautiful and completely glamorous.

“If you want it, you’ll find a way, if you don’t.. you’ll find an excuse..”

During my time in London, I have also been blessed with my daughter. As any parent knows, having a child certainly changes your life (for the better of course!) and quickly become your first priority, leaving less time to focus on yourself. Looking back, I can see that I started making excuses for myself. I found a job that provided a good salary, that was interesting enough and that was ‘safe.’

It worked for awhile, but I knew there was still something missing in my life. With this feeling sitting with me most of the time, it wasn’t until I saw those words online that it really stuck with me.
“If you don’t go for your dreams, what is your life about?”

How could I teach my beautiful, strong daughter that she always has to follow her dreams and with hard work and determination she can do what ever she likes, if I couldn’t do it myself?

By not pursuing my photography, what was I doing for myself and for us as a family? It was then I decided to lead by example and take back control of my passion and professional life.

I took the challenge head on. I knew I needed to practice and train more to reach a professional level, most likely earn less while I was re-training along with quite a few other personal sacrifices – I couldn’t resist ‘the call!’

It took me some time to adjust and reprogram my life with inevitable ups and downs along the way. With the love and support of family, friends and guidance of an amazing life & business coach, I started booking more shoots for myself. Along with my own business, I joined one of the best portrait studios in London as a freelancer, expanding my knowledge and gaining skills and experience within the industry.
My daughter has been and continues to be my biggest supporter on this amazing journey. When I find these precious notes from time to time, I know that I’m doing the right thing.

“I love photographing people”