Interview
Nicoletta Cerasomma
Italy
Nicoletta Cerasomma is a photographer from Italy. Being in the photography allows her to re-connect with her community and find the beauty of life from within!
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My motivation for picking up a camera was largely to be able to, in some way, satisfy an itch that I have had in my whole life. I love creating in any way possible. I love telling stories by any means. A camera allowed me to do that in a way that was personally satisfying. I had been studying fashion photography, but somehow the fine art clicked in a way that the other art forms had not.
2 Where did you study photography?
I started photography as self-taught in 1997. While working as staged photographer, I studied fashion and lighting techniques in a famous Italian school where I realized my passion for storytelling.
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first shot was a landscape in black and white in Paris, it was very romantic.
4 What equipment do you use?
Nikon D850, D700, ob.24-70Vr, ob.70-200V Fl
5 What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to have personal exhibitions in the most well known galleries in the next five years
6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
You are a surreal artist
7 What inspires your unique storytelling?
I am inspired by women from Lucca and local fairytales. My childhood was filled with imaginary characters drawn from the story of those women who made my community unique. Later, in adulthood, photography enabled me to reconnect to my cultural heritage. And now I realize the beauty of those dark stories and I can find the legacy of those women in our identity.
8 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Surreal, dark, mystery,
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
I am honored to be a gold winner. It is very important to me because it means that my concept is deeply related with the observer.
10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Teresa Bandettini was one of the most talented eclectic woman of the XIX century. She was well known as the intellectual dancer due to her captivating and touching extemporization performances. Writing poetry meant revealing everything about herself, as a woman, an artist, a muse, but always embodying grace and enchantment. Her calling to art was strong and carnal. Her impetuous verses took over her, exposing her naked soul to the response that was always favourable. I invite the viewer to seek the mystery beyond the appearance, in the broken up image, in the place between real and surreal. I chose to enter with this series to give Teresa Bandettini the deserved place in Art and History and celebrate her creative genius: since she is almost unknown, I decided to portrayed her through a series of diptychs inspired by Teresa Bandettini's feminine character and the deep knowledge she could source to create her art.
11 How has winning an award developed your career?
It is useful for my CV and it gives me credibility when I approach gallerists for exhibitions.
12 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
There are a lot of photographers that I love: Cindy Sherman for her being a pioneer in controversial portraits, Miles Aldridge for the perfect use of light and colour, Brooke Shaden for her ability to transform a portrait into conceptual art and being an excellent teacher.
13 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Believe in yourself no matter what they say.
