Sicily based Valeria Pitarresi takes on a limited number of weddings per year and photographs weddings throughout Italy and Europe. With a focus on a true connection with each of her couples, Valeria Pitarresi takes on a discreet role behind the lens.
Tell us about your business!
I built my business from zero. Coming from a pHd in Law, I struggled a lot with family and friends opinions, people's judgement and a market full of very good professionals. I protect myself from external influences and trends and I embrace candid wedding photography, where images can last forever. I want my couples to perceive my work as a cashmere sweater in their closet: timeless.
Arriving where I am now makes me very proud of my business, I consider it to be my baby.
What would you like couples to know about you?
I like to take care of my couples (and my beloved ones) so this is why I chose to do just a limited number of weddings every year. I put the connection I have with my couples first and I like for my clients to trust me and my work - this is how I can totally express my creativity and my couples have the best of me.
Where are you based?
I am based in Sicily but you can find me often in south of Spain too.
Do you travel for weddings?
I define myself a Sicily wedding photographer, specialized in destination weddings however, lately I am traveling a lot around Italy (Tuscany, Rome, Puglia) and Europe when the couple and their wedding inspires me. I like to go out of my comfort zone, it’s very important to me feel stimulated by new challenges.
How would you describe your style?
This is such a difficult question. I think that I tend to create images which are sensitive, intimate and somewhat melancholic. People often tell me that my style is also elegant and poetic.
On the other hand, I like to transmit the truth in every moment and this is why I only delicately edit the images - I don’t like to distort the colours and the lighting.I think that the most important part of my work is the human connection and I hope this is what my images specially transmit.
What is your most memorable career moment?
There are many, like being accepted as a vendor with The Anti-Bride the past year; but recently, the most memorable is to have been published by Vogue.
What inspires you?
I am definitely inspired by emotions, shapes in nature (like flowers, trees, birds), architecture, city life. What I love most is what inspires me.
What motivates you to do what you do?
I consider myself very lucky because I can do my dream work: being a wedding photographer is my motivation itself. I love to give couples the memories of one of the most important day of their life, I love to think that they will see those images again and again and thanks to those images are able to relive those moments and the emotions they felt.
I love to take part in such happy and emotional moments; be surrounded by beauty; connect with people and the love they bring - I feel really lucky.
How would you describe your working style?
I can resume in two words: connection and discretion. I am a very sensitive person and as I already said, something really important to me is the human connection. If we don’t consider it when we talk about a wedding, where else? In this sense, the relationship with couple is basic from the very first moment. I love to talk with them every time they need it, give them tips from my experience, share ideas. The day wedding day, we normally feel like old friends.
On another hand, I am a very discreet and careful person, so I don’t like to invade the spaces with my presence and voice. Sometimes photographers take themselves very seriously and tend to act like they are the protagonists however, I like to remind myself that protagonists are brides and then their beloved ones. We, vendors, are the ·backstage”, giving our best to make their day unforgettable.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
Both. I shot mainly digitally and film is a beautiful enrichment of my work.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
Portugal and France are among my dreams destinations but New York would be my biggest dream.
Who is your dream client?
My dream client is a sensitive person, careful and kind. It’s a person who is open to diversity, who loves peace around them. They are a dreamer, visionary, a lover of flowers, a cosy atmosphere and someone who puts quality over quantity.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
My main advice is be yourself, just listen to yourselves, your tastes, your desires, your values. It’s only one day in life, chose your dream vendors and don’t allow any person (like family and their “old” beliefs) to decide for you. Take care of yourselves and trust in each other and your vendors during all the process - and everything will turn out to be amazing and your day will be a reflection of yourselves and your love.
