What does it mean for you to showcase works that could have remained unseen?
For me, showcasing works that could have remained unseen is about unveiling the extraordinary within the ordinary. As a photographer, I am constantly seeking to capture what others might overlook—fragments of time, subtle interactions of light and shadow, and emotions embedded in fleeting moments.
My work is driven by a deep curiosity to explore beyond the obvious, to challenge perception, and to offer a fresh way of seeing the world. By sharing these unseen perspectives, I invite viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps discover a new way of engaging with their surroundings—one that transcends the familiar and embraces the unexpected.
Can you elaborate more on your exploration of mixed media techniques and how they influence your photographic work?
My journey with these techniques is driven by an insatiable curiosity—a need to push beyond the limits of traditional photography and explore what lies beneath the surface of an image. As an architect, I’ve always been captivated by textures, patterns, and the way materials hold memory. I think in three dimensions, constantly searching for ways to merge the visual with the sensory, the tangible with the ephemeral.
Photography, for me, isn’t just about capturing an image; it’s about constructing an experience—one that invites the viewer to feel, not just see. When I first started experimenting with digital post-production, I realized that photography didn’t have to remain confined to a static, two-dimensional form. It wasn’t just about freezing a moment in time but about reinterpreting it, reshaping it, giving it new life. By blending digital techniques with hand-applied interventions, I create work that extends beyond the visuality and become something to be experienced.
What truly fascinates me is the conversation between the digital and the physical—the contrast between crisp, precise digital edits and the raw imperfections of hand-worked textures, mixed materials, and abstract distortions. That interplay is where the magic happens. It allows me to do more than depict reality—I get to reimagine it, infusing my work with movement, rhythm, and a sense of spatial depth. Through this fusion of techniques, I go beyond what’s obvious and into what’s often unseen—the echoes of a place, the rhythm of a fleeting moment, the subtle dance of light and form. My work becomes more than an image; it turns into a dialogue between different dimensions, where textures, emotions, and untold stories surface, waiting to be discovered.
Can you take us through the typical creative process of one of your works shown in this exhibition? How do you approach creating compositions?
Every piece I create is a conversation—a dialogue between my intuition and the raw energy of the moment. I’d like to talk about “Ethereal Threads”. This work, like many of my creations, didn’t begin with a rigid plan. It started with an emotion, a fleeting impression that I felt more than I saw.
My process is deeply instinctive. I often begin by immersing myself in my surroundings, letting my eyes wander until something calls to me—a play of light, the texture of decay, a hidden rhythm in the chaos. I don’t force the composition; I allow it to emerge. In this particular piece, I was drawn to the way forms seemed to dissolve into one another, as if the boundaries of reality were softening, unraveling into something almost ethereal.
Once I capture the initial image, the real transformation begins. I strip away distractions, focusing on the essence of the scene. I experiment with contrasts, textures, and movement, almost as if I’m sculpting with light. Layers build upon layers, each adjustment revealing new depths, new dimensions hidden beneath the surface. At some point, the image takes on a life of its own. I stop trying to control it and instead listen. I step back, letting it breathe, letting it whisper its story to me. It’s a process of discovery, of allowing the subconscious to manifest through form and texture. The final result is never just a photograph, it’s a reflection of a moment, a feeling, an experience frozen in time, yet fluid in meaning.
This is what drives me as an artist. The pursuit of capturing what cannot be seen, of giving form to the intangible, and inviting others to step into the space between reality and imagination.
You mentioned your family’s artistic roots in music, painting, sculpture and craftsmanship – how did these influences build and shape your approach to photography?
My family’s artistic legacy was the origin of my artistic self, deeply influencing my vision of and response to the world. Growing up in a house in which music, painting, sculpture, and craft surrounded me, I learned the vocabulary of artistic expression in every way. My father, a product of music and imagination himself, was a key to my career in photography. He was always taking pictures—not just capturing moments but turning them into something timeless and poetic. As I saw him framing our lives in his camera, I found myself doing it automatically myself—first in my mind, eventually with my camera.
Photography, for me, was more than just a natural extension of this inborn artistic nature; it was a dynamic storytelling medium. The exposure to slide films during my childhood and my first film outing in 1974 was a turning point that shaped my vision of light, composition, and movement. I learned that it was not a question of just recording a picture, but of creating a feeling, just like a note of music or a splash of paint on canvas.
At the same time, my northern Italian heritage also instilled in me a deep respect for aesthetics, craft, and the haptic nature of creating something. While my father’s vision for my career was more technical in nature, my artistic leanings always seemed to manage to assert themselves. Architecture then refined my three-dimensional mindset, working my eye to observe textures, patterns, and depth of space—elements that inform my photographic style today. I’m not just looking for a picture’s beauty; I’m looking for its layers—its mood, its rhythm, its unspoken narrative.
In many ways, my work is a synthesis of all of these influences. The musicality of composition, use of light by a painter, sculptural depth of form, and craft of narrative all intersects in my work. With digital means or hand interventions, I strive to move beyond the limits of a frame, making every photograph a three-dimensional experience. Every photograph is an open-ended invitation—an echo of my family’s artistic legacy—where texture, movement, and feeling combine to tell a story beyond vision.
How has your background in Architecture and Interior design influenced your compositional elements and artistic style in your photography?
My background in interior design and architecture has deeply influenced my photographic style, informing me of my approach to composition as well as my artistic vision. Architecture educated my eye to penetrate beyond the exterior to note the interactions between space, light, form, and texture. As a designer, an architect approaches design with deliberation, and I approach each shot with a keen sensitivity to spatial harmony, depth, and interaction of elements in a scene.
One of the most basic elements of my work is my understanding of geometry and proportion. Architectural design is based on exact alignment, rhythm, and harmony, and I apply these principles intuitively to photographs. Whether I am capturing the strict symmetry of a new facade, the organic flow of a landscape, or the close-up randomness of an instant in time, I intuitively compose pictures that feel structurally sound yet emotionally engaging.
Light is the common thread weaving together design and photography. In both, it shapes perception, sets mood, and defines form. I am deeply attuned to how light interacts with surfaces—whether the soft glow of golden hour, the stark geometry of urban shadows, or the subtle reflections that bring depth to an interior. My background in interior design allows me to control and predict light, amplifying its visual impact in my photographs.
Texture, too, plays a vital role. As an architect, I learned how materiality enhances spatial experience. In my photography, texture evokes emotion—the worn softness of stone, the fluidity of fabric, or the smooth contours of the human body. I want my subjects to be not just seen, but felt, much like one experiences the tactile beauty of a well-designed space.
More than anything, I see photography as storytelling through structure. Just as a well-conceived space guides movement and meaning, my images are composed to lead the viewer’s eye, constructing narratives through form, light, and presence. Architecture and photography both shape perception, and my work is where the two converge—where form meets feeling, and every image becomes a portal into a world of design and emotion.
You mentioned that you’re going to embark on a journey to Europe to reconnect with your Italian and Spanish heritage, what do you hope to learn and explore through your lens in this next part of your life?
This journey to Europe is more than just a trip, it’s a homecoming of sorts, a deeply personal exploration of my roots and the artistic legacy that has shaped me. As someone whose life has been guided by design, photography, and a fascination with the way spaces tell stories, I see this as an opportunity to reconnect with the essence of my Italian and Spanish heritage through my lens.
I hope to immerse myself in the textures of history, the weathered stone of ancient streets, the interplay of light against intricate façades, the rhythm of life flowing through bustling markets and quiet alleyways. I want to capture the essence of these places not just as they appear, but as they feel—the echoes of generations past, the whispers of untold stories embedded in architecture, landscapes, and faces.
Beyond the physical, I am eager to explore the emotional and cultural ties that bind me to these places. I want to document the contrasts between tradition and modernity, the way old and new coexist in a seamless dance. This journey is as much about rediscovery as it is about transformation—seeing these places through my own eyes, but also through the perspective of the past generations whose influence runs very deep through my veins.
Through my photography, I hope to create a dialogue between memory and vision, between heritage and personal evolution. This isn’t just about capturing images—it’s about understanding where I come from, how it has shaped me, and how I can translate that into something meaningful for others to experience.
In what ways do you aim to capture the ‘unseen’ in your photography?
Capturing the unseen in my photography is about unveiling the layers of emotion, history, and meaning that exist beyond the obvious. It’s about exploring time’s textures, the dance of light and shadow, and the silent stories embedded in every space, object, and face. I don’t merely document reality—I seek to reinterpret it, revealing what is often overlooked, felt rather than seen.
This philosophy was a driving force behind my book, “Captured Moments: Embracing the Art of Photography”, which I finished writing at the beginning of last year. The book was born from an intrinsic passion for photography—not just as an art form but as a powerful means of storytelling and human connection. This book represents years of discovery, driven by a deep desire to share the magic of preserving fleeting instants of life.
The process of crafting this book mirrors the way I create my photographs—through dedication, exploration, and an unrelenting pursuit of meaning. It took some time of rigorous research, gathering insights, and refining ideas to truly encapsulate the essence of photography.
In my photography, I strive to push perception beyond the tangible. To me, the unseen is not about mystery—it’s about discovery. I want my photography to be a dialogue, a moment of serendipity where nostalgia, imagination, and reality converge, whispering stories that linger long after the image fades from view.
Can you share any unexpected reactions you’ve received from any of your works?
I have received many unexpected reactions to my work—some deeply encouraging, others difficult to process. Like any artist, I’ve encountered criticism that, at times, felt discouraging. Yet, I have come to realize that these moments are essential in shaping both my art and my resilience.
Over the past four years, I’ve faced challenging critiques from respected professionals, photographers whose opinions I deeply value. Some of their words were unexpectedly sharp, even disheartening, making me question not only individual works but also my artistic path. There were moments when I hesitated, wondering whether certain images were worth refining, or if I should even continue on this journey.
But art, like life, is full of contradictions. What was once dismissed, doubted, or criticized has, over time, become some of my most celebrated work. In the last three years, eight of the pieces that once received the harshest critics have gone on to earn international recognition, win awards, and be exhibited in galleries around the world—some even finding a permanent home in prestigious collections. Three of them, in particular, have been honored with multiple awards, proving that the very works that sparked doubt could transcend expectations and find their own place in the art world.
These experiences have taught me an invaluable lesson: every critique, whether positive or negative, is an opportunity for growth. I’ve learned to embrace challenges not as obstacles but as stepping stones, as moments that push me to evolve into the artist I aspire to be.
Today, I look back at those difficult moments with gratitude, knowing that they have fueled my journey rather than hindered it. In the end, art is subjective, ever-changing, and deeply personal. What truly matters is that I continue to create with authenticity and passion with an open heart.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you’re excited to share?
Yes, I have several upcoming projects that I’m truly excited about. One that is especially close to my heart is my second book, which is currently in deep development. This time, I’m focusing on young minds—creating a photography book for children aged 6 to 12, teaching them how to explore the art of photography using mobile phones in a way that is fun, creative, and technically enriching.
I am deeply concerned about the way society, media, and even parents are introducing mobile devices to children at such an early age. While technology is now an inevitable part of our lives, much of the content young children are exposed to is not as educational or constructive as it should be. My goal with this book is to transform these devices into tools for creativity and learning—offering children a meaningful way to express themselves through photography while giving parents the reassurance that their children are engaging with technology in a positive, artistic, and developmental way.
This book will be more than just a guide—it will be an interactive, dynamic, and engaging experience designed to inspire children’s natural curiosity. I want to encourage them to observe the world around them, explore their perspectives, and discover the power of visual storytelling. Who knows? This could be the spark that ignites the next generation of great photographers and artists.
I’ve been working on the concept for over a year, dedicating significant time to research, conducting interviews, and gathering insights from respected professionals in children’s education. This project is truly a labor of love, and I look forward to seeing how it will empower young minds to see the world through their own creative lens.
I’m also deeply engaged in several other projects that expand my artistic and educational journey. One of them involves my continuing experimentation with new techniques in handcrafted methodologies for printing photography—exploring the tactile dimension of images by working with different types of paper and materials. This process allows me to push the boundaries of how photography is experienced, transforming each piece into something truly unique and immersive.
Additionally, I’m in the final stages of developing my online course, Learning Fundamentals of Photography, designed for enthusiasts and anyone looking for a practical, easy-to-follow approach to mastering photography. My goal is to make photography accessible, breaking down complex concepts into simple, hands-on techniques that empower people to capture their world with confidence and creativity.
And, of course, I continue my personal exploration of photography—constantly challenging myself to see beyond the ordinary, experiment with new perspectives, and refine my visual storytelling. Every project I take on, whether in education, craftsmanship, or my own artistic growth, is part of a larger journey—one that is always evolving, always seeking new ways to connect, inspire, and create.
Leave a Reply