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Daniela Rettore (Guest Feature)

Daniela Rettore

As a first guest in our new series we meet the amazing Italian fashion photographer Daniela Rettore. She is working with one of the biggest magazines in the industry such as ELLE, MARIE CLAIRE , L’Officiel Suisse, L’Officiel Ukraine and many other.  

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, my name is Daniela Rettore.
I was born in Italy and I live in Milan, but I actually shoot everywhere but Milan (laughs)
I fell in love with photography when I was a teenager.
When I was 14 I begged my mother to buy me a camera for my birthday and I remember taking “ fashion pictures “ of my female friends for fun .

2. How did you get into photography?
At the age of 30, after my modeling career was over I did not know what I wanted to do with my life, I only knew I wanted to get up every day , feeling happy of what do.
So I asked myself “what do you really like?”
And the answer was – photography.
The next day I bought a professional second-hand Canon and a film.
I called a friend of mine who was still working as a model and asked her if I could try to take some pictures of her.
I did the make up and hair, the styling and we shot with natural light in the field.
Two days later, did the same thing with another female friend.
Those two shoots went so well, that a model agency called me and asked me if I want to do tests for their models.
Six months later I had to rent a studio, due to the amount of work.

3. How did you meet your first client?
One of the models I did a test with was so happy from the results, she decided to introduce me to one of her clients.
I was so nervous before the shooting of our first catalogue, I did not sleep at all the night before! (Laughs)

4. If you were about to start now, what would be your plan?
I’d do exactly the same! 

I’d do exactly the same! 

I’d buy a camera, learn how to work in manual mode, how to light, and I’d constantly shoot and improve! I’d learn from all my mistakes and keep asking for advices those that are much better than me.

5. Tell us a secret talent of yours?
I’m a real hard worker…
If something is not good enough or for some reason the shoot went bad or it’s just not good enough, I always try to improve and never do the same mistake. I do not surrender. Ever.

6. Tell us a story from one of your photoshoots when you learned a valuable lesson?
I used to delegate my location scouting. 
But I got burned several times.
For example once in Marrakesh, we were supposed to shoot in the desert, but it was raining several days before the shoot and when we arrived at the location all we’ve found was a green valley, instead of the promised desert. 
Ever since this photo shoot I always make sure to check my locations in person, at least one day in advance. 

7. Do you have a favorite source of knowledge (website/YouTube channel/blog/app) you’d like to share with us? 
I LOVE www.fashioneditorials.com 
And can spend hours on Instagram!

8. If you were to be associated with one word what would that be?
CHIC! 

9. Do you have a final advice for the fans of The Fashion Photography Podcast?
Find your identity as a photographer.
And try not to copy anyone. Of course you can draw inspiration from the best, but then who you are, what you think, your personality must be seen in what you shoot. 
Also – if you don’t feel that a photoshoot is not the right fit for you… just don’t do it.

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