The Secret of Happiness

Featuring Bea De Giacomo Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Bea De Giacomo depicts life through various themes creating the connection to the natural element. Recurring themes in her work are vibrant colors that appear painted on the faces of models or a part of the garment or a pattern on the decoration, animals and reptiles, fruits and flowers, and the change of the light during the day. She explores forms like liquid and solid states, and researches shapes of objects, space the objects occupy. Another important theme is relationships in the family and the desire to better understand the dynamics and learn about the impact of one person on another.

Bea speaks with us about photography as a tool that assists to remember moments, to tell stories, and uncover the meaning in human relationships and their connection to elements in their surroundings. We discuss happiness in the profession and the importance of finding one’s genuine voice through which one can connect to the world. 

Bea De Giacomo is a Milan-based photographer, who was born in Varese. She graduated from the European Institute of Design in Milan in 2008. Bea worked with clients like Alla Carta, Erika Cavallini, Gucci, Missoni, Nike, Vogue Italia at others.

‘I always tend to forget things, my memory is very bad. And honestly, that’s why I started taking pictures: to remember things.’

What are you most passionate about in photography? 

Sometimes I feel like I’m living a particular moment in a very different way than others do. Photography allows me to depict this very personal point of view on reality, while being true about it.

It can be objective and subjective at the same time. And it’s a powerful instrument to help memory. I always tend to forget things, my memory is very bad. And honestly, that’s why I started taking pictures: to remember things. It also helps me to put things in place, if that makes sense.

Have you ever met a person through your work experience who has influenced you? Could you share the story? 

I have met many people, and many of them enriched me with their stories from a human point of view. This influenced me to be more curious about things I don’t know, to be a person who listens, and to be open-minded. The most interesting people in your life you often meet in random encounters.

‘All the people I met helped me understand that you need to be real with yourself, to be honest, to follow your instinct, and not to care much about making what others are expecting you to do.’

Have you ever met a person through your work experience who has influenced you? Could you share the story? 

I have met many people, and many of them enriched me with their stories from a human point of view. This influenced me to be more curious about things I don’t know, to be a person who listens, and to be open-minded. The most interesting people in your life you often meet in random encounters.

Let’s discuss Milan and the professional sphere of art and photographers in this city. How do you think it differs from Rome? 

I don’t have any experience of work in Rome, so I really can’t say much about it.

As a photographer, you meet a lot of people, models, makeup artists, and even strangers who might come to the set. Do you remember a fascinating story they told you or an occurrence that was touching and gave you new food for thought?

All the people I met helped me understand that you need to be real with yourself, to be honest, to follow your instinct, and not to care much about making what others are expecting you to do.

You feature some unique models and interpret the theme of walking the isle in an interesting manner in The Renegade Spirit of Runaway Brides. Tell about the preparations for the shoot and the casting process?  

Ah! This was very funny. The idea was to imagine a bride who changes her mind at the very last minute and leaves the broom because she understands she is much happier by herself. So, she doesn’t need a man to be happy. This was the concept, I guess. And then we play around with the model. This is the idea of a strong and irreverent woman, with the bridesmaids on her side, as a girl gang.

‘I always believed that the secret of happiness is to do what you like the most, and to be paid to do it!’

Tell about your university experience, what did you study and do you think it helps you in your profession or as a person in a way you think or approach things? 

I studied Communications for a couple of years, but then I started working and I quit university. It’s been a second thought when I decided to take photography seriously, so I applied for a scholarship in a photography school, and that’s the start of everything. 

I have always been work-oriented and very focused on making a living out of it. I always believed that the secret of happiness is to do what you like the most, and to be paid to do it! That’s the idea that always drove me throughout my life. And I found it very important to work on things I’m really interested in, and avoid work that I already know is going to be something to be ashamed of or working with people you don't like. 

Of course, in this job, you have to compromise sometimes, you still have to pay bills. But you have to find the right balance and choose the right people, even the right clients. Take your time for your personal research, and never forget to have fun taking pictures!

What is the theme or subject that interests you the most now?

The subject that interests me the most are stories. I like to investigate the relationship between people and their family, people and their environment. I’m attracted by young people the most, for their way of being real, their intrinsic honesty and spontaneity. Sometimes their creepiness as well! 

Composition in your work is very well thought of and carefully crafted. How do you create a frame?

That’s a difficult question, I don’t think too much of building the frame. I follow my instinct, and I try to find a balance. I focus on something, and I try to keep a clean shot, but I don’t like things too much constructed, they don’t have to be perfect.

Do you post-product your photos? How do you build a certain line and aesthetics that gives your work a feel of consistency?   

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. It depends. But since I’m a control freak, I always prefer to do that by myself. The aesthetics, I guess, lie in the research of a particular colour, atmosphere, balance between lights and shadows. All those things make a photograph! But, it starts at the moment you are taking the picture, it’s not only with post-production. 

What’s next? Do you have a New Year’s resolution ready for 2020?

Not really, let’s see what happens, I’m really open-minded about the future. I wish I could travel more!