A TALK WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER Giovanni Vanoglio

1. How did you hear about Vignamaggio?

I had the privilege of coming to Vignamaggio to photograph a wedding. During the walkthrough, I found myself experiencing a few little deja vù moments, and it was only when I got to the garden that I realised that these were all the same places that  Margaret e Benedick’s love story was played out in Kenneth Brannagh’s beautiful film, ‘Much ado about nothing”.

2. What do you like about your work and are there ever any awkward moments?

Being a photographer is a challenging and complex task and maybe this is what I most like about it. I am constantly meeting different people whose stories I have to tell and record and to do this all I have is my vision, my language. It is all about taking moments that have made an impression on me and presenting my perception of them in a photograph. Wedding photography is much more than snapping pictures, otherwise I wouldn’t still be doing it.

Luckily, there are not many things that embarrass me, but being the centre of attention does. In a jazz group, I would never be able to play the trumpet, I would be much more comfortable as the base player, in a shadow, behind the drums.

3. Unforgettable moments you would have preferred to forget?

It isn’t too difficult for me to find one to tell you about because fortunately there haven’t been that many. Anyway, a scene I don’t think I will ever forget was a heated argument between the bride and groom just before they made their entrance into the reception hall to open the party. I was ready to shoot the grand entrance into the magnificent venue when all of a sudden all there was an explosion of all the tension that had been building up as the big day got closer. I recoiled, held my breath and prayed I would become invisible.

4. Touching scenes you have never forgotten?

I adore English weddings and the dedications to the bride and groom by people closest to them during the traditional wedding speeches. At a wedding last year, the best man had all the guests dabbing their eyes during his account of his and the groom’s friendship over the years, and I admit, it brought a tear to my eye too.

5. The camera off or uncharged as they are about to cut the cake? Jokes aside… do you have any funny anecdotes to share.

Funny, but most of all unexpected, was when I was asked to help with the final preparation of the bride. The bridesmaid’s emotions had got the better of her and her hands were trembling so much that she wasn’t able to do up an endless row of buttons; and I mean endless because I think those were the longest ten minutes of the day for me.

6. Is there a city, a region, a place you imagine you would ever tire of photographing? Where would it be and why?

I am a very curious person and I usually like to expose myself to new situations and places that I have never seen before. However, if I have to, I would choose Venice, my favourite city, where I go when I need to slow down a bit. I was lucky enough to live there for five years and believe I know it well but I must say that every time I return, I always notice new things, new perspectives and view points.

7. Some photographers prefer some subjects to others: animals, people, landscapes, cakes or ornamental features. Tell us about your work and what subjects you instinctively tend to gravitate towards.

I am fascinated with space, spatial relationships created by light and the people that occupy them. My interest in this was probably ignited during my academic studies. In the context of a wedding day, I often find myself shooting complex images, wide-angle pictures in which people at the event become part of the reception location.

8. Could you choose 5 photographs to post on our blog which most represent you.
   

1. I think this photograph at an engagement ceremony contains most of the elements that characterise my photography: the blurred carousal accentuates the stability and steadfastness of Serena and Giulio as they kiss, being watched over by a billboard dominating Florence’s Piazza della Repubblica.

2. Wide open spaces, distant horizons. I confess that sometimes I find taking photos in Italy challenging, but my beloved Garda Lake never lets me down.

3. During a short shoot involving only the bride and groom, I leave the room, just for a moment, to think about the next picture, and as I turn back to tell them what to do, find that they had stolen a moment just for themselves. Wonderful!
4. I adore the tender anticipation of this kiss and I love the light that surrounds them. It was during a short break as the guests were leaving the ceremony venue.

9. A game, a little bit of fun during a brief film shoot: I was struck by her slender and shapely figure, she looked like a princess out of a Disney film, and the bride actually is something of a princess.

Website/blog or contact details 

www.giovannivanoglio.it

+39 339 36 56 76 8