Interviewed by Medina Shala
Tell me a little about yourself?
I’m Cecilia, I’m 26, and I’m an Italian film photographer. I live in Rome and I am currently working in the film industry as 2nd assistant camera.
How did you get started in photography? What was your first camera?
I got started thanks to my father who gave me his analogic camera when I first expressed the wish to learn photography. My first camera is still my favourite camera, which is an Olympus om2 (35mm).
What do you enjoy shooting the most? And why?
I enjoy shooting people. I would recognize myself mostly as a portrait photographer. The reason behind this choice is my need to know humanity. I always approach photography with an anthropological eye, there is nothing more interesting to me than human nature.
What would you say is your photographic style?
I guess I just answered this question, but most specifically I’m now choosing editorial photography, because I like to touch people’s souls with an aesthetic that soothes my personal flavors and points of view.
How do you make people feel comfortable in front of the camera?
I speak to my models a lot before shooting. Whenever I can, I try to meet them before taking the pictures, in order to talk about ourselves and the project itself. This procedure makes them more comfortable during the shoot and also helps them to get involved in my story, since I always have one in my mind whenever I organize an editorial.
Nowadays almost everyone has access to devices with which it is possible to take pictures. What do you think is the difference between a professional photographer and any other hobby photographer?
I hope I have the competences to answer this question. I tend to respect everyone who approaches photography, and I am always open to teach and explain something to beginners, anyways I think that the difference between an hobby photographer and a professional one, above the technical point of view , which is important but not essential, is having an original eye on life. A specific tendency towards certain cuts, a great attention towards colours and narrative. In conclusion, I think that , in order to be a professional photographer, you have to explore the world of images, and make choices that define your artistic identity specifically. I guess being a professional is having a strong artistic identity.
What’s your favourite movie?
The double life of Veronique by Kieslowski.
Who influenced you the most? Is there any other photographer that you considers as a kind of idol?
I don’t really know about it. I would say my dad has influenced me in a certain way, as he’s a photo amateur and taught me almost everything about film photography. But speaking about a photographer, I don’t think I have an idol and I believe it would also be wrong to only have one. For me, everyone who takes what I think is a great photo, is some kind of idol, a hero, even if it’s for a little time. We can all be heroes, just for one day. That’s why I encourage everyone to risk it all and take the pictures they have always dreamed of, because they can always have the chance to touch beauty and life, and take a great photo to be proud of.
Photos by: Cecilia Minutillo Turtur
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