Tuscany-based Samantha Rivieccio's fashion photography background shaped how she sees the world around her. She focuses on the small, unspoken moments that happen between her couples which result in romantic, editorial images. With a love for film, polaroids, super 8 and camcorders, Samantha Rivieccio is highly passionate about her craft.
Tell us about your business!
My business started 5 years ago after a few years of a fashion photography career. I loved the vibe but I was feeling the need to tell something, not to just create beautiful images. When I started to think about wedding photography I thought: maybe this is the perfect mix of that I need to tell. And here I am.
What would you like couples to know about you?
One of the most important things I always want my couples to know, it’s that I need to know them in order to be able to tell their story. I care a lot about my couples, that’s why I book only a limited amount of weddings each year, and in order to give them 100% of myself I need to be part of their story.
So let’s be friends!
Where are you based?
Born and raised in Tuscany, baby! I’m so proud of it, I’m so attached to my land and I really think its essence flows in my veins. I’m made of its golden hills and deep woods, and that’s why I love to dedicate most of my work to Her. I travel for weddings but Tuscany will always be my favorite playing field.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yep, I do! As I was saying before, I love to work in Tuscany as I feel like I know it 100%, but I also love to travel once or twice every year. Last year I was in Bali for a wedding, this year I’ll be in Spain and Czech Republic - let’s see where my camera will bring me next!
How would you describe your style?
Sometimes couples ask me to use one word to describe my work. I actually can’t. I don’t like to put myself under a label like editorial or moody wedding photographer. I trust my vision, I’m curious, I study a lot and I love to try new methods to express my art, like film or whatever catches my attention. If my eyes bring me towards something I trust them. My main goal is to tell people’s stories in the most accurate way for them.
What is your most memorable career moment?
Omg, that’s difficult! I have a lot of memorable moments, but I think that the one that really made me proud of myself and made me think “maybe I’m doing things right!” was when I’ve been able to travel to Indonesia for a wedding. The couple could have had anyone else in the world and they chose me for the most incredible wedding celebration. What an experience.
Once I photographed the wedding of a famous football player. That moment was also extremely satisfying however, I absolutely prefer smaller weddings out of the spotlight!
What inspires you?
My grandparents wedding albums. 100%. And movies with a certain kind of photography, that gives the audience the real essence of Italy. Call Me By Your Name, for example.
What motivates you to do what you do?
I know it can sound cheesy but my couples are what motivates me the most. Sometimes, before a wedding, I feel pretty anxious as I have a huge responsibility and I think that maybe I’m not enough for my couples. But once I start working everything disappears. I can’t explain the feeling of overwhelming joy when I know that I’m doing a good job and I’m picturing my couples and their loved ones just as they are. It’s a doses of adrenaline that can’t be compared with nothing else.
How would you describe your working style?
I’m chill, but stressed haha! During a wedding, on the inside I have a hundreds of thoughts that run around my mind and my brain never stops and I always feel like I’m missing something, but from the outside I actually look like a chill guest who’s holding a thousand of cameras. That’s pretty much me!
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
Both! I’m actually going crazy right now, as I absolutely feel the need to use all the different supports like film, polaroids, super 8, camcorders, I look like a Christmas tree during weddings!
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
From last year, my offer changed as my needs of storytelling evolved. Right now I only offer one option to my couples, an all-inclusive no limit package that includes whatever I need to tell someone story (film and digital are always included), that’s why I need to know my couples really well before their wedding.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
Absolutely the film service.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
My goal is to shoot a wedding in an old castle in Bordeaux area, France. The vibe!
Who is your dream client?
My dream couple is someone who knows and appreciate what I’m doing, some 90’s kids like me who grew up among printed pictures and film cameras. Someone who doesn’t see their wedding as a real wedding, but as a gathering of their loved ones spending time together celebrating their love.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Get to know your vendors! You’ll spend a lot of time with a lot of them, especially your photographer, so try to create a bond with them. Trust me the day will be 100% more enjoyable and you’ll feel like you’re among friends and not just people who are working for you!
