An Ode To The Female Body

Featuring Carolina Amoretti Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Carolina Amoretti is a Linguria born, currently Milan-based fashion photographer and a founder of and designer for Fantabody, a fashion bodysuit brand launched in 2015. Womanhood through the prism of body positivity and self-acceptance are the main themes the brand supports. Carolina shoots collections and is a creative director for Fantabody campaigns. Her latest video campaign has recently won in the nomination of The Best Italian Fashion Brand at Fashion Film Festival Milano.

Positive, confident, diverse, feminine is the body of work Carolina Amoretti presents. Focusing on women of all body types, shapes, and backgrounds, Carolina strives to make sure every voice is heard. The approach is to reshape the industry and create a wider range of possibilities. Not surprisingly, many of her photos are taken in nature, adding to the atmosphere of freedom, summer, and affection.

Carolina speaks with us about her daily routine, the discovery of her passion for photography and especially storytelling within the visual realm. She discusses her goal to create a more inclusive environment, and approach a range of topics that usually stay unrecognized by society. She proposes her view on how to succeed in the profession and communicate with clients.  

‘I wake up around 8:00 in the morning, and the first thing I always do is prepare a large coffee pot, this is actually the only real habit I have’

Hi Carolina, how are you doing? How did your morning start?

I wake up around 8:00 in the morning, and the first thing I always do is prepare a large coffee pot, this is actually the only real habit I have. After that, I slowly get ready for a new day of work, putting things in order, to better organize the daily schedule, which is always very tight.

How did you make a decision to become a photographer? Walk us through some of the milestones you had from studying in IIF (The Italian Institute of Photography) to assisting photographers to working for clients.

I decided to become a photographer when I was sixteen. During Art School, one of my gay best friends forced me to subscribe to Vogue Italia, and I realized how incredible fashion photography could be.

I recently saw Franca Sozzani's documentary, and I understood that her work laid down the foundation for my career. The idea of telling stories with content through fashion editorials even if irreverent has shocked and pushed me to find my way.

‘The urge to communicate positive messages through my passions such as 80s sports and lifestyle, Yoga, everything that connects with the sea and classical dance’

You have started your own brand Fantabody, designing collections, in 2015. You also photograph the campaigns for your brand. What drove you to work on designing specifically bodysuits and where do you see taking the collection next year? 

I always have worked for different fashion clients until I had the urge to create something of my own, this included my imagery, also the urge to communicate positive messages through my passions such as 80s sports and lifestyle, Yoga, everything that connects with the sea and classical dance.

Working on Fantabody's campaigns is the most fun and satisfying thing for me.

‘One of the best parts of my character is that I easily forget bad experiences’

Body positivity, feminism, inclusiveness are important topics you present in your work. The women appear as powerful and sexy, confident and different, not afraid to show what might be perceived as a flaw and turning it into a unique characteristic. What are the most important elements in casting the right talents for the fashion shots and the campaigns for the brand?   

I like to approach the theme of inclusivity that is associated with the feminine world. An ode to the female body, regardless of its shape and skin colour. Embracing topics like disability, immigration, sex workers, and showing diversity as a starting point.

You are one of the photographers who succeeds in bringing in her statement to commercial projects and create a work that extends your vision. How do you build a conversation or negotiation with the client to insert your ideas to the project in a way that will support the brand you present?

I always fought for my vision until clients started to have trust in my ideas, reaching now a position where I'm able to take care of the creative direction together with my clients.

As a person who photographs fashion and designs collections, what brands do you wear or what is the overall style you wear?

I have always worn vintage clothes generally I dress in streetwear, but I don't feel represented by any big brand.

What would be your advice to the emerging photographers searching to start working on commercial projects? 

Don't be snobbish, the hustles must be done! This way, you can grow step by step, trying to put your vision in it.