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Isabella Tabacchi
@isabellandscapes
Landscape photographer based in Italy
Known for her ability to evoke emotion and redefine landscapes through her lens, Isabella constantly challenges herself to push creative boundaries. Today, we dive into her adventures, creative evolution, and the stories behind her stunning works.
Introducing Isabella Tabacchi
This is our latest interview with the incredibly talented Isabella, an award-winning photographer whose journey continues to captivate and inspire. Since our first interview, Isabella has explored some of the world’s most breathtaking regions, earning accolades such as the ILPOTY and MIFA awards. Known for her ability to evoke emotion and redefine landscapes through her lens, she constantly challenges herself to push creative boundaries. Today, we dive into her adventures, creative evolution, and the stories behind her stunning works.
Interview
Welcome back, Isabella! Since our first interview, you’ve visited many inspiring regions and won multiple awards, including ILPOTY and MIFA. How do you continually challenge yourself creatively?
Thank you for the warm welcome! Well, I seek out diverse and remote landscapes that push me beyond my comfort zone. For me challenges motivate me even more, otherwise it would be too boring for me. Exploring new environments allows me to discover unique perspectives and narratives, in this way, my work keeps impressing myself and the other people and my style evolves. Additionally, I embrace trying new ways to see things such as aerial photography, to expand my artistic horizons.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes story of one of your award-winning photographs and what made it special? “Tree of Life” stands out, but perhaps other award-winning photos are also close to your heart.
“Tree of Life” holds a special place in my heart. Captured in the highlands of Iceland, this aerial shot reveals grooves, plants, and textures forming the shape of a tree, with rivers flowing beneath, symbolizing nature’s intricate beauty. I was there to capture an aerial panorama of a blue crater lake but while I was flying I saw that very close to me, there were some formations creating drawings of trees and the biggest was “Tree of Life”. I thought it was insane and I took several shots, including the vertical panorama that won several contests and was published in the November 2024 National Geographic issue.
The fun fact was that the day before I was undecided between going to Maelifell or remaining in the area and exploring more so I flipped a coin thinking, for fun, that the result would be the area where I could get a very important shot for my career. So it was!
During our previous interview, you shared meaningful feedback on how you approach each location to create an emotional impact on the viewer. Since then, have you discovered and implemented other strategies to balance technical perfection with emotional storytelling in your photography?
Yes, I’ve delved deeper into the interplay between light and landscape, using natural lighting conditions to evoke specific emotions. By studying the behavior of light at different times and seasons, I aim to infuse my images with a mood that resonates emotionally while maintaining technical excellence. This approach ensures that each photograph tells a compelling story beyond its visual appeal.
Since then my style has evolved a lot; I prefer softer editing but an impactful look. I also take more tele-lens shots and focus on details much more than before.
Among all the destinations you’ve visited during the past four years, which one would you say inspired you greatly?
Kazakhstan has been profoundly inspiring. The country’s vast and varied landscapes, from majestic mountains to expansive steppes, offer endless opportunities for creative exploration. The untouched beauty and cultural richness of Kazakhstan have significantly influenced my recent works.
What advice would you give to emerging photographers who want to stand out in prestigious competitions like the Siena Awards or Xposure Awards?
Focus on developing a unique style that reflects your vision. Authenticity resonates with judges and audiences alike. Additionally, pay close attention to composition, lighting, and post-processing to ensure your images are both technically sound and emotionally engaging. Entering competitions with a cohesive and distinctive portfolio can significantly enhance your visibility.
During our first interview, you mentioned wanting to explore more of the world of aerial photography, and you’ve already won a few contests with your drone shots. Congratulations! How has drone photography (as recognized in the DJI SkyPixel contest) enhanced your perspective on landscapes, and what strategies have helped achieve such great aerial content?
Drone photography has revolutionized my approach by providing access to perspectives previously unattainable. It allows me to capture the grandeur and patterns of landscapes from above, revealing hidden geometries and connections. Key strategies include thorough planning, understanding weather conditions, and mastering drone controls to execute precise compositions that convey the intended narrative. In my case, I think that in the last years, I improved a lot the capability to catch details and perspectives with my eyes, also from longer distances, so it was something that helped me a lot to get good shots as soon as I started to focus more into aerial photography (I owned drones since the release of the first Mavic Pro, but didn’t use them that much).
Your palette of colors continues to amaze me! Do you still find yourself gravitating toward your favorite colors, or have you explored new color schemes over the past years to translate your vision into reality?
While I have signature tones that define my style, I’ve consciously explored new color palettes to align with the diverse environments I photograph. Adapting my color schemes allows me to authentically represent each landscape’s unique atmosphere and emotional essence, ensuring my work evolves and remains dynamic.
I like more color contrast than before, when I did a lot of monochrome works, and I still like cold tones but like to contrast them with warm colors too.
On color grading
and finding a style
Why do you think it is important to find your style as a photographer, and how do presets help a beginner photographer in this process?
Developing a personal style distinguishes your work and creates a recognizable identity. Presets can serve as valuable learning tools for beginners, offering insights into editing techniques and helping them understand how different adjustments affect an image. However, it’s crucial to use them as a foundation and gradually develop one’s unique approach to post-processing.
What is one project or adventure you are looking forward to achieving in 2025?
Well, apart from some photo tours in Norway, Iceland, and the Dolomites as usual, I’d love to go back to Kazakhstan and maybe Bhutan. But I’m still not sure where else. I have a lot of wishes on my travel list!
To conclude, what is your most valuable lesson from 2024?
Well, especially thanks to my travel to Kazakhstan, 2024 was a very inspiring year. I learned that even if sometimes I don’t realize it, my photography style evolves surprisingly, as I embrace a lot of new ways to see nature, to interpret new points of view. It’s always important to be open to exploring unfamiliar but interesting terrains that have enriched my creative process and expanded my artistic horizons. Flexibility and a willingness to learn continuously are essential for growth in the ever-evolving field of photography.
