A Visual Diary of Light, Places and Self-Discovery

My name is Bianca, and I am a photographer currently based in Milan. I moved here in 2021 from Southern Italy, a place that still strongly influences the way I see the world. Growing up in the South, surrounded by warm light, slower rhythms and open landscapes, shaped my sensitivity to atmosphere and natural light — elements that today play a central role in my photography.

Photography came into my life almost by chance in 2019. At the time, it was simply a hobby I shared with my ex-partner. Back then, I was mostly in front of the camera rather than behind it, working mainly as a model while experimenting with photography in a spontaneous and playful way. I had a small Sony entry-level camera, and I used it mostly during trips or special moments, without really thinking that photography could become a deeper form of expression.

Everything changed in 2022, when I decided to replace my old camera with the Fujifilm X-T5. That moment marked a turning point in my relationship with photography. From the moment I started shooting with it, I felt a completely different connection with the camera. The experience of photographing became more intuitive and engaging, and little by little, photography transformed from a simple hobby into something much more meaningful. From that point on, I simply never stopped.

At the beginning, my photography was mainly focused on travel. Whenever I visited a new place, I felt the urge to document it, not only the landscapes but also the atmosphere, the small details, and the light at different moments of the day. Traveling has always been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. I love wandering through cities without a specific destination, discovering hidden corners, or spending time outdoors observing how light interacts with the environment.

For me, photography gradually became a way of documenting my life and the places I encounter along the way. Each image represents a fragment of time, a moment that might seem ordinary but becomes meaningful when captured. In this sense, my camera works almost like a visual diary, a tool that allows me to preserve memories and emotions for the future.

About seven months ago, I decided to take a new step in my photographic journey by experimenting with self-portraiture and opening my Instagram page to share my work. Self-portrait photography immediately fascinated me because it represents both a creative and personal challenge. Being both the photographer and the subject requires a completely different approach compared to photographing someone else.

Most of my self-portraits are created indoors, often in places where I feel inspired by the atmosphere around me. These can be intimate and temporary spaces, such as a hotel room while traveling, or a quiet mountain cabin during a getaway. I am fascinated by how a place can influence the mood of an image. Sometimes, a simple room, the way the light enters through a window, or the textures of the environment can become the starting point for a photograph.

For each self-portrait session, the choice of location is extremely important. The environment is never just a background, but rather an integral element of the composition that contributes to the story of the photograph. I like to select spaces where the surroundings interact naturally with the subject and help create a sense of atmosphere within the frame.

The background plays a crucial role in my compositions. Whether it is a quiet interior, architectural details, or a simple room filled with natural light, the setting becomes part of the visual narrative.

Natural light is another key element in my work. I almost exclusively rely on natural light because of the authenticity and softness it brings to an image. Light constantly changes throughout the day, and learning to observe and work with these variations has become one of the most rewarding parts of my creative process.

One of the most interesting aspects of self-portraiture is the dual role it requires. When working on these images, I am simultaneously the photographer, the model, and the creative director of the scene. This process requires patience, experimentation, and a lot of trial and error, but it is also incredibly rewarding because it allows me to fully express my ideas and emotions.

The equipment I use plays an important role in supporting this creative process. I currently shoot with the Fujifilm X-T5, which has been my main camera since 2022. One of the reasons I chose the Fuji X system is the balance between image quality, portability, and shooting experience. The camera feels intuitive and enjoyable to use, which encourages me to always carry it with me and capture moments whenever inspiration strikes.

For the type of photography I do — travel, environmental portraits, and personal projects — the X-T5 offers a great combination of performance and flexibility. Its compact size makes it perfect for traveling and exploring cities, while the image quality allows me to capture a high level of detail and color depth.

My favourite lens at the moment is the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, which I appreciate for its incredible versatility. I enjoy lenses that allow me to adapt quickly to different situations without constantly changing equipment, especially when traveling or shooting outdoors. This focal range allows me to capture both wide environmental scenes and more intimate portraits, giving me the freedom to explore different perspectives within the same location.

In terms of post-production, I always shoot in RAW format and develop my images using Lightroom. Shooting in RAW gives me the flexibility to carefully refine colors, contrast, and atmosphere during editing while staying faithful to the mood I experienced when taking the photograph. For me, editing is not about drastically changing an image, but rather about enhancing the feeling that originally inspired me to press the shutter.

Ultimately, photography has become much more than simply taking pictures. It is a way of observing the world with greater attention, noticing details that might otherwise go unnoticed, and preserving moments that would otherwise fade away with time.

Through my photographs, I try to create a visual archive of my experiences — a collection of memories, places, and emotions that tell the story of my personal journey.

And in many ways, that is what photography means to me: a continuous process of exploration, creativity, and self-discovery.