Meet Dmitry, Your Local Lens Photographer in Rome
Tips and Ideas from a Local
We sat down with one of our photographers in Rome, read on for some great tips and photos.
You’re from Latvia! How did you find your way to Rome?
First time I came to Rome back in 2014, 3 years ago. And instantly fall in love with this city. Rome is brilliant from all sides: architecture, music, poetry, exhibitions, museums – all in all everything my soul needs to fill it with inspiration. Now I live in Rome for 2 years so far and capturing the happiest weddings and couple shoots in this incredible city. I love to meet new people and make amazing images for them, filled with the best emotion in the world – LOVE. I’m deeply in love with photography and all kinds of art. My dream is to become an opera singer – this is what actually brought me to Rome… And a great photographer of course: my goal is consistently incredible images!
I think that I realized that I want to become a photographer back in the days when I was learning is BDU (Baltic Design University, graduated in Graphic Design program). We’ve had academic drawing course, interior design and photography courses as well. So, all technics I’ve learned there helped me to form my vision and talent. After graduating there I was working in Latvian Magazine “Business Class” as a maquet maker (designer) and step by step started to make reportage shoots for this magazine. Then I gradually started to make cover pictures as well. In the same time I was working in photo agency “Baltic Pictures” as an main photographer’s assistant on weddings. In conclusion, this all helped me to gain enough experience to make my works shine now in Rome. I’m never stopping to improve my skills and always finding something new.
What is something about you that most don’t know about you?
People usually don’t know that I’m a singer and dream to sing in opera one day.
I’m thinking that would be nice to make a surprise for my clients and to sing some opera piece for them in the end of the shoot. But usually I’m sooo tired that the only thing comes to my mind is how to not to fall dead š
How do you describe your style?
I would define my style as artistic photography, I’m specializing on working with people.
My photography is about capturing the fleeting moment and the presence of the person in environment. I love to show people at their happiest. I strive to choose the most interesting places and environments, that will last forever on the pictures Iāve taken.Ā
Where would you say are must-visit or must-eat spots in Rome?
So, number 1 thing to see – of course the architecture. This term, in fact, was born in Roman Empire.Ā
The second main thing to see and visit – galleries, Sistina Chapel, to see the greatest paintings and sculpture in the world. From the ancient frescoes in Ostia Antica and Pompeii to the Van Gogh and Klimt in the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art – Rome has it all. By the way, amazing exhibitions are going in Rome all the time!
Number 3 thing – of course to try Roman food. There are many restaurants, from simple to fancy. Here are some:
1. Carlo Menta in Trastevere. Simple, cheap, tasty. Pasta with seafood is crazy good.Ā
2. Dar Poeta in Trastevere. Best pizza. Bufala and superbufala are my top.
3. Oppio cafe. Nice pizza, very good aperitif. Just 100m from the Colosseum.
4. Casina Valadier restaurant. Not on the cheap side, however offers one of the most amazing sunset view in Rome on the veranda of Chill! Excellent view, delicious food, drinks and service!Ā
For Pubs – go to Trastevere and you will find them!
Where are your favorite photo spots?
1. Trevi fountain – fantastic place for photoshooting
One of the most recognizable and iconic monuments in the city, the Trevi Fountain was designed and completed in the 18th century. Tourists come to the fountain in order to throw a coin, which is, according to a local legend, supposed to bring good luck. It was also famous for having featured in a major scene of Federico Fellini’s 1960 La Dolce Vita.
2. Spanish Steps + viewing deck near Casina Valadier – shoot and train your legs in the same time š
With its irregular butterfly design, the beautiful āScalina Spagnaā, or Spanish Steps are just one of these must see places when in Rome and a great example of Roman Baroque Style. Itās a great place to just sit down and enjoy the atmosphere and views of the Eternal City. The steps are a wide irregular gathering place consisted of 138 steps placed in a mix of curves, straight flights, vistas and terraces. They connect the lower Piazza di Spagna with the upper piazza Trinita dei Monti, with its beautiful twin tower church dominating the skyline.
3. Castel Sant’Angelo + bridge (might add also a terrace on the roof) – one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. The bridge was built in between the banks of the Tiber river in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian in order to connect the center of Antique Rome with his newly built mausoleum (today better known as Castel SantāAngelo). At the time the bridge was known as the āAelian Bridgeā, which simply meant āBridge of Hadrianā. For many years the bridge was used as a passageway for Christian pilgrims on their way to St. Peterās Basilica. The current name of SantāAngelo is used since the 7th century for a legend in which Archangel Michael was seen atop the castle with his sword drawn to indicate the ending of the plague of 590 AD. The impressive Statue of Michael can now be seen on top of Castel Sant.Angelo, facing the bridge.
4. The Pantheon – the oldest as the most well-consumed building in the world
Even today, almost 2000 years after its construction, the breathtaking pantheon is a remarkable building to see. The spectacular design, proportions, elegance and harmony are a striking reminder of the architecture of the great Roman Empire. When Michelangelo saw this wonder for the first time he said that it looks more like the work of angels, not humans.
5. Colosseum – just the greatest
Romeās most popular monument was built between 72-80 A.D. The Colosseum is still the largest amphitheater in the world, and stands as an iconic symbol of Rome and the great Roman architecture. The Colosseum was constructed as a gift to the Roman Citizens from the Flavian Dynasty to increase their popularity, to stage various forms of entertainment, and to showcase Roman engineering techniques to the world.
CHECK Rome PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABILITY
