ItalianoContinuing with the heading “ The Word to the Experts “, our investigation continues among the professionals of photography and their experience in marriage services.
It’s the turn of Stefano Niccolai , owner of the photo studio Art Studio , of Pontedera (Pi).
Read a little about what has answered our questions
2016 trends in your sector
The trend for 2016 is a genre of American-style journalistic photography. Natural photos not sought after, instinctive and simple, in my opinion photos tremendously ugly !!
In recent years, what do you think has changed in the performance of a wedding photo shoot?
It has changed a lot and this is due to the diffusion of images on the web and above all on social media, and to the ease with which a photo can be made. Things are very different when it comes to making commissioned photos. The photo for a wedding is not improvised, and nothing is given to chance. Photography is technicality and the tools are indispensable. Ignorance often spreads, in the sense of not knowing about this work, without understanding that, despite appearances, it is anything but simple.
Compared to a normal photo shoot, what are the wedding service needs?
For what concerns me the planning in every particular detail. Nothing must be underestimated and the collaboration of the spouses is fundamental. I have to understand who I am in front of, what they want and provide the best service for them
How do you create the poses to be photographed in a wedding? How can the spouses assume the postures that characterize the key moments of the ceremony?
Poses and postures can be proposed and, as is done with any subject, we can indicate, but never impose a pose to the spouses. We are not dealing with models, which by virtue of their work immediately know how to pose. Marriage from this point of view makes things very difficult but, on the other hand, I think that spontaneity in looks and attitudes is the best thing.
Four poses that can never be missed in a marriage
The poses that must never be missing in a wedding are the photos in the house, the rings, the signatures, the cake, the exit from the church with rice, photos with friends and relatives and then there are others depending on the circumstances.
How do you establish the relationship with the spouses? How many appointments do you make with couples?
All those that serve. There are situations in which the spouses know them the first time on the wedding day, in others it is a succession of meetings. There is a middle ground and it is the one I propose most. 
What information do you find useful to know before a wedding? Are there any key questions for the spouses?
If there is the possibility to talk a lot of time before I usually suggest to the couple to get married in the afternoon, as I have much more time available to dedicate to the photos, and the newlyweds they are also less stressed by the times that in the morning ceremonies are always restricted.
Have you ever had a marriage between foreign spouses or a photo shoot abroad? For these uses a different approach or marriage is the same everywhere and for all?
It happened to me several times to make a marriage with foreigners but celebrated in Italy. Let’s say that the shooting is completely different, because the habits and customs are different. The shape is very important and the approach to the photos must be very discreet and professional. The photographer abroad belongs to a category framed by the most authoritative professions, where even the price is commensurate with the real professional position. In Italy, unfortunately with the Bersani and subsequent provisions, the profession is no longer bound by those mandatory conditions that were necessary to start the business, and this has led to a lowering of both the quality level and the price.
What are your preparations before going to a wedding? Do you have a ritual?
Basically I start to prepare myself a week ago. I visit the location and check the light at the same time set for the wedding day, and if the weather is uncertain I always have a backup plan. Then check and recheck all the equipment, machines, lenses, batteries, everything must respond to perfection. I carry twice the amount of everything, even the memory cards are two and work in copy. Virtually the registration is double. All these things that nobody knows, cost a lot for the success of a wedding, as well as putting a strain on the equipment. Then you must also try to make good and beautiful photos, or to reach a compromise satisfactory depending on the circumstances. In short, photography is a complex job. 
Among the marriages you’ve photographed is someone you carry in your heart?
Yes, there are marriages that have remained in my heart, and they are those where I could work with more linearity. The secret of a good photo shoot is in the preparation and sharing of the event with the spouses. The beautiful pictures are born like this, with the attention and participation of the couple; and then another aspect that should not be underestimated is that the make-up and hairstyle must be checked in photos, but this is not done by anyone. Most of the time when the bride sees herself in the photos, she discovers that the makeup, even if beautiful, is not suitable for her face, not to mention the hairstyle, really inappropriate. Drawbacks that can easily be solved if the brides also did the “photographer test”. Seeing yourself in photography is not like seeing yourself in the mirror. Unfortunately, the photos do not forgive.
Tell us a particular or extravagant request received from your customers
Of particular requests when there is a marriage there are many, practically every marriage is different from the other.
Is it an amusing anecdote that happened during the course of your profession?
Once I happened to take pictures of the bride at a beach immersed in water up to the knees. But the groom did not move a millimeter. In short, more than a particular request it was a beautiful photographic circumstance.
In such a competitive sector, do you think you can distinguish yourself from others?
I do not know what makes the difference in a sector without rules. Today, in the presence of new forms of communication, we often forget the most beautiful aspect of photography, ie the printing of photos. The internet world ignores this fundamental aspect where photography is the maximum expression. From the press we see and recognize the work behind the shot, but today this aspect is increasingly ignored, in favor of the price that is a deterrent always in the foreground. I believe that knowing how to communicate remains one of the most important factors that can make the difference between professions. Knowing how to work is important, but being able to communicate is even more so. The direction to follow could be to unite more entrepreneurial realities, each one for its own sector, and together to face new challenges with greater force. Being small in its uniqueness can also be beautiful, but staying small in a global market is not very useful and at least less productive.
