Would you say that studying a PhD and traveling at the same time is attainable?
Perhaps yes, but such endeavor certainly requires a strong mindset and a lot of hard work. Our guest is quite familiar with both!
Born and raised in the heart of the Dolomites, Nick felt in love with the beautiful mountain ranges of a region that has inspired thousands of travelers and photographers. His admiration for nature eventually grew and the need for exploration became an important part of Nick’s identity.
Traveling and photography have inspired Nick in an incredible manner. Being outdoors searching for the perfect light has taught our guest to rely on his travel companions and to enjoy the journey. As he says, when one is traveling there is no rush!
Nick is currently working his way to become a full time photographer. As you will find out along this interview, his talent for photography is undeniable. This is precisely why we are so happy to welcome Nick to our Talent Pool!
Welcome Nick! So, first of all, can you explain us what motivated you to pick a camera in the first place and what is driving you nowadays?
I would said that the mountains had a huge influence, specially at the beginning. I was born in the heart of the Dolomites and already as a child my father transmitted me his love for the mountains and nature. When I started with photography my main goal was to bring home a memory of my excursions. However, over time photography became the engine that drives me to cross woods and climb peaks in search of the perfect light.
Nowadays, my mission as a photographer is to inspire people to spend more time outdoors. I also want to help other photographers and travelers to reach out their dream destinations, whether they are located at the Dolomites or around the globe.
Actually you are currently based really close to the Dolomites. This area really seems like a good place to live! Can you share with us your three favorite spots within the Dolomites?
The region I live in is universally known for the Dolomites, which is one of the most important natural attractions on the planet.
Thousands of photographers come here every year from all over the world to immortalize the burning peaks at sunset and the rocky cliffs reflected in crystalline lakes.
But few decide to abandon the most beaten paths and venture to explore more unknown places. In fact, there are entire mountain ranges bordering the Dolomites to which I feel connected to. Good examples are both the Lagorai group or the Stelvio national park.
Within the Dolomites the places I love the most are Seiser Alm, the cabin paradise, the Rolle pass with the Cimon della Pala, the Matterhorn of the Dolomites, and a small lake near Würzjoch, to which I am particularly attached and which fortunately is still very little known!
What is it that so many people find a lot of inspiration wandering around the Dolomites? What makes this region so special in your opinion?
I believe that the beauty of the particular type of rock that constitutes the Dolomites, with their spires and stone monoliths, is out of the question.
But I also think that one of the aspects that made these mountains so famous is the ease with which they can be reached. Even if you can only move on foot, in a day you can start from the bottom of the valley and reach the highest peaks through meadows, forests, and pastures. Even the strong human presence on these mountains, I believe, has contributed to the enchanting character of the area. Countless villages, huts, and shelters seem to have been designed directly by nature to host and welcome humanity.
Was traveling a passion of yours before diving into photography or is the other way around, photography is your main motivation to keep traveling?
I have always loved traveling, but until recently I did not call myself a traveler. I had a fairly adventurous approach, but surely photography is giving me a boost when it comes to discover new destinations and organizing further expeditions. Unfortunately, I realized how social networks are directing people to certain places, and I am a victim of this situation. Sites once thought to be unexplored are now destinations for hordes of tourists. I find that the goal of a travel photographer is to discover new destinations, or at least to interpret in a new way the most famous ones.
Please now imagine for a second that you have a super power! You can go back in time! What moment would you like to re-experience again?
This is a very interesting and difficult one! I think I would use this power to be able to live an era of exploration and discovery. Having to choose an adventure in a party, I would like to embark along with Charles Darwin aboard the Beagle, and with his venture to discover an unknown world and the most fascinating scientific theory that has ever been conceived.
Among your works, do you have any picture that you really like? Which is your favorite photo?
Very difficult to say which is my favorite photo!
I like some of them because they are linked to a trip or pleasant memory. However, there other photos that I really like were the light was particularly impressive.
I captured one of my favorite photos on my first trip to Iceland. I traveled to this wonderland with my friends and we visited most of the famous locations. We spent some time trying to capture the real essence of this land, where man has managed to abilitate tiny habitable spaces in the midst of the wild nature!
I’m particularly proud of this photo. A giant version of this capture is hanging in my living room!
Why is photography so special to you?
The thing that I like most about photography is the fact that it allows me to see the world with different eyes. Even without having a camera in my hands, I often find myself observing what surrounds me with a photographic mindset.
Photography has changed the way I live. Even a simple walk in the woods turns out to be an opportunity to bring home something valuable, a long lasting framed memory.
What are the three most valuable personal lessons you have learned traveling?
On daily basis, I am an organized person and I like to have control over everything happening around me.
Traveling has allowed me to rely more often on other people (like my travel companions for instance) and to be flexible with unexpected situations.
For many, visiting Italy is a dream! In your opinion. As an Italian what do you like the most about your country?
We, the Italians, spend most of our time criticizing our country. We complain about politics, crime, or people’s rudeness for instance. But as soon as we move away from home, we begin to feel nostalgic for the food, the pleasant feeling of warmth that can be felt in the small ancient villages and the joy of sitting for hours at the table with friends.
The best thing about Italy is the diversity. I don’t think of Italy as an homogeneous nation, but as a country of beautiful contrasts. You can certainly find in Italy a myriad of natural environments, traditions, and languages! I invite everyone to experience all these things!
Imagine yourself at the beginning of your professional career as a photographer. What four pieces of advice would you give to yourself?
I am still at the beginning of my career, so I don’t feel that I have the necessary experience to give an advice. Nevertheless, if I had to give one advice would be to jump headlong!
Grab any camera and start experimenting in all possible ways. Read relevant books and learn from tutorials as much as possible. Ask questions in social networks and forums, make mistakes and learn from them. Keep practicing and eventually you will be able to capture that image you were after to. I assure you that it will be a great satisfaction!
Is there any artist/photographer who has inspired your art? Can you name three?
I have learned from many artists, although from a photographic point of view I am mostly self-taught. Surely, Thomas Heaton has been one of my biggest inspirations. Most people know him because of his YouTube channel where he conveys his love for nature.
From an emotional point of view, Jack London’s novels have inspired me as well. His descriptions of the wild nature motivate me to ever travel new roads in search of a more genuine relationship with the outdoors.
Any new projects coming up or countries you will be visiting soon?
I will be traveling to Canada next September with two friends and fellow photographers.
Our aim will be to show our audience the lush natural beauty of the Canadian parks through our images! We will be traveling in a RV, which is something exciting! I think that the RV will appear in many of our photos!
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