Samantha Casolari Interview

Samantha Casolari creates images that transport their viewer. Playful with light and color, Samantha’s photographs explore moments of intimacy with people such as actor Michael Pitt, music icon Debbie Harry, families in Haiti and is working for print magazines such as T Magazine, Dossier Journal and Vice.

Having recently published her Loulou de la Falaise fashion editorial here on AnyOne,Girl, I thought it might be nice to follow up with some words from the photographer herself to expand on her work, her lifestyle and the way in which she approaches both these aspects. Enjoy!

You have studied so many places abroad! Which makes me want to ask, where did you grow up? And where do you currently live?

I grew up in Modena, Italy and now live in New York, which has become my new hometown.

Traveling must be a quintessential part of being a photographer, and i love your journalistic work on your site. Can you tell us about some places you love to visit and explore?

I really want to go back to Africa. I would love to go to visit Uganda again, and explore other states, like Mali, Namibia, Kenya…i am really attracted to Africa culture and music and stories. So that is definitely where i want to go!

What cameras do you like to work with?

I love my Nikon FM 10, and my dad old Pentax, that was such an incredible precious thing he gave me. But I have also started loving the digital Canon I got. So i guess that although my preference will always go to film, I like to work with all of them.

What are your thoughts on the difference between shooting on film vs digital?

To me the difference is in what i am trying to tell, which kind of story and which mood. I will use digital if i want a soft seamless effect, whereas film is perfect to convey a raw reality, a timeless feeling, and some particular light effect. Which is how I perceive the world. So If the deadline allows i will see which one works better.

As a photographer and having your work being presented online as well as being published in books and magazines, do you find any obstacles with online trying to keep copyright of your work? Or do you find it helps people to become aware of your work?

I have never really had many problems with it. I think I have almost always been credited and i shoot because i want to tell stories to people, so I really appreciate if my work is being shared as a story without an audience completely loses its purpose, doesn’t it?

You have worked with some amazing publications! What is the difference, if any, for you as an artist with working with bigger teams of these magazines vs working on your own?

I don’t really see much difference. I have been really very lucky as the magazines and clients I have worked with, as well as the teams i have worked with, always allowed me a great creative freedom. Of course when you are shooting for a client and not for your own project, you will have to respect more boundaries, and rules, and taking in consideration some commercial purposes of the shoot. But if there is dialogue and communication this doesn’t seem to be an obstacle to me.

Thanks Samantha xx

See more of Samantha Casolari’s work here.