Photographer Martina Lanotte

—Are you photogenic?

—I think the right question would be: do you feel awkward in front of the camera?
Absolutely! When it comes to have our own photo taken, photographers are the worst.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—Photography has always been a big passion of mine, and during university I started working as assistant and second shooter for a wedding photographer in Perugia, Italy. I loved everything about it!

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Beside the nerdy stuff (composition and rules and blabla), a great photo needs to capture genuine emotions and tell a story that everybody can relate to. Technical perfection is important, but without emotional engagement it would only create empty images.

—Do you love traveling?

—Who doesn't? :)

—What do you like most about your profession?

—I believe the best part of my job is when people thank me for giving them the photographs they wanted. Creating memories that they will be looking at, for years, is an honour for me.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Being a photographer is not only shooting and editing, there is an entire world beyond that: we also have to reply to emails, find new clients, make phone calls, do our bookkeeping, our marketing strategy, take care of our website, not to mention the fact that we have to stay updated with trends and new technologies. We have to keep ourselves motivated all the time, because if we skip one of these things nobody is going to do it for us.
And I love my job as a whole, because each part makes it what it is.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—The emotions involved in your wedding day make your wedding photographs more than “only” photographs: they soon become memories of one of the most important events of your life. As time passes, these images don’t become outdated – like fashion photos for example – but they turn into invaluable and priceless memories.

—How do you handle criticism?

—With time I’ve learned that being able to hear people’s opinions can improve every aspect of our life, from our relationships to our job. It’s important to focus on what is being criticised, without taking it personally.
Of course, I’m talking about constructive criticism: accusing people and pointing out their faults without giving suggestion will never bring anything good.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Yes, there are trends. But a wedding usually brings traditions, and so wedding photography always keeps a sort of timeless vibe.
You'll never catch me with a black and white image where only the roses are red.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—So many things, and I'm not sure I can even bring it down to a few sentences. However, beyond style and price, I'd say to look for an honest and trustworthy person.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—As I recently wrote in an article, a good wedding photographer should never neglect the details: people are always focused on the main events – ceremony, cake, dance – and they tend to overlook all the other little moments and details in between. And it's our job to freeze in time the little details.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—A good book.
I grew up among books, and that's how I feed my soul.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I love what I do so much that I spend my free time studying, doing courses and reading magazines. Winter, when the wedding season is a bit low, is the perfect time for doing that.

—Is there life after marriage?

—LOL!

—The best thing in life is:

—Food, love, pancakes.

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—You can do anything, if you believe in yourself and work hard :)