Photographer Serena Faraldo

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Naples, Italy? :)

—There are a lot of amazing photographers in Naples. Some of them I'm lucky enough to call them friend and colleagues.
But I will not make any name; someone could get offended if it's not mentioned in my "Fave List" ehehe ;)

—Are you photogenic?

—I look exactly like I am :)

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I started because I needed a job to pay my university fees and books meanwhile I was studing photography at the fine art academy.
I thought to find a job that could both allow me to make some money and make some experience. Back then I was all about reportage and documentary photography. So when I found a job as assistant and graphic in a wedding studio I discovered a new world; I immediately fall in love with wedding photography. All started from there...

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

—If it tells a story than it's a good photo for me.
If it makes it in the most honest way possible, than it's a great photo.
If it makes me want to look it again and again than it's amazing.
If it makes all of that and also makes me want to grab my camera and take photos.. that it's the perfection!

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes I do. I wish I could do more for me. And I wish I could more and more also for weddings.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—A lot of stuff! But if I have to choose just a couple I'll say that I love that my photos will remain to tell the stories of the people that are in the photos, after me and after them. Stories that, otherwise, would be forgotten.
And I love the fact that the camera takes me to places that are unusual for me, makes me meet a lot of amazing people, makes me experience the joy of so many days of happiness.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Yes, of course. This job it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
If I have to choose I'll say that I hate when someone do not respect this as a profession. When people think that to take a picture you just have to do "click" and nothing else.
I also hate when someone thinks I'm not the main photographer but my assistant's assistant just because I'm a girl and he's a guy. (happens sometimes. the society where I live is sometimes sexist)

—What will be the future of photography?

—I don't know... maybe one day we will be able to take professional photos with just blinking our eyes..

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

—I think that it is more "versatile" and complete.
It can have as much value for the single client as well as for the society.
It's a memory for someone.
It's also a journey in the era in which it is taken, it tells the habits and traditions of a people.
It's a cultural lesson; it tells you the cultural differences of a ritual in different places in the world.
It can be art. It can be a documentary. It can be a source of great emotions. It's a kind of photography that fits perfect in a private album as well as in a museum or a book.

—How do you handle criticism?

—If the criticism it's productive and not destructive than it's totally fine for me. It's a good way to improve.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Yes, as has always has been.

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

—Good quality Photography (photography that they really like).
Empathy.
Professionalism.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Surely the intrusiveness or rudeness.
Beside that ... I do not think that there are specific rules and that these changes from time to time.
I think that if you respect the people you are photographing and they respects you, if you have established a good dialogue with them ... then nothing can go wrong.

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

—The narrative vision of everything that happens. And tons of (sometimes hidden) details.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—Look at answer at question number 4 :)

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—I'd love to take more pictures of my family. But I don't have the chance to see all of them often. (so I'd like to spend more time with them.)

—What do you worry about, and why?

—On a personal level I'm scared about losing people I love. Or to get hurt so much to change from who I am.On a global level I'm very worried that we are destroying our planet. We are destroying animal species, ecosistems that exists from centuries just for consumism. Also about terrorism. That is something that really frightens me.
And last about all this social media that I think it's totally out from our control right now. I feel like this is controlling our lives, like in black mirror.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—I'm grateful of every day spent on this earth.
Also I hope that "The best is yet to come" as someone says

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Funny because people always says that I am like a living cartoon :) So I guess I should answer to that question ...myself :-D ehehBut well...I could happily live in the lord of rings's middle earth, go to Hogwarts school every day (and I'll be a griffyndor, no doubt), make my holiday in the "fantasia" Disney's movie, traveling one place to another with the howl castle (or also with house attached to houndreds of balloons like in the "up" pixar movie). And I would like to manage all the hokuto moves and techniques.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Women astronauts and Oriana Fallaci (the first Italian war journalist reporter, also my favorite writer)

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Success is when you are satisfied with what you do and you are proud of yourself. When you would continue to do it happily for the rest of your life.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected. No doubt on that.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—At the beginning of my career the biggest mistake I did a couple of times was trust too much some clients and to deliver to them photos without before ask for the payment. I was young and naive back than.

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

—A picture of my dog... just in case of home sickness :)

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—I regret having bought a shoddy "underwater" cover for my phone once. (bye bye phone you'll be never forgotten).
Also I regret every single pair of heeled shoes I bought, because I bought them knowing that they are the most uncomfortable and less practical thing that humanity could ever invent and that I would wore just a couple of times in my life.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I always invest in my training.
Also I spend hours Looking at other photograopher's photos. Especially the ones that I consider better than me.I also improve myself Watching movies or tv series. Reading books. Going to art exhibitions. Drawing. Learning everyday something new (not necessarily related to the photography). Listening to music. Observe life around me.
All of that, in my opinion, makes me a better photographer. A photographer it's not only what he studied or where he worked. It's every single experience that he lived.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—A lot of photographer but also movie directors, painters and artists in general.
As I just said; if you want to be a good photographer you don't ha to stick only at photography. You have to improve you 360 degrees vision.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I strongly believe that the "key message" it's of who look at the picture. I don't want to suggest anything at all. I just want to tell stories.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Because I love doing this. If I don't do that I feel like my life like missing something too important.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I've grown up without my father and my mom was distant...so I wish my parents was a little bit more present.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I would have done more sport when I was teenager and less couch :-D
And also I would tried to be a less insecure teenager back than.

—What about life on other planets?

—Yes! (no doubt at all)

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Drawing. Listening music. Cuddling my dog. Movies. Hanging out with friends. Sometimes make trips or escursions. Play D&D. reading a book

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—I'll say NEVER. I always want more from myself!

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—no.

—Do you make friends easily?

—It depends from the other person. If I feel en empathy, than yes. If I don't.. I kinda build a wall around me.

—Where would you like to live?

—I'd like to live somewhere where it's always spring all the year, people are nice and friendly, there is nature and and there is at least one good pizzeria.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Dogs <3

—The best thing in life is:

—The Light.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Waking up early :-D (especially in winter time)

—What would you like to change in the world?

—I wish people were sometimes more empathetic. I think that if everyone puts themselves in the shoes of others, 90% of the problems of humanity will disappear in a second.

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

—Don't give up. It's a long path but eventually you will succeed.
(and never forget to have breakfast before on a wedding day!)

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Finally you came to pick me and bring me back home! I was waiting for a lifetime :-D

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—One like "Big fish" or "Amelie" but also "inception" or "interstellar"

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Since it's almost 2 a.m now and Tomorrow it's Sunday...I think I'll have a nice sleep, until late!