Wendy Symons, a self-taught Dutch photographer, embarks on a profound journey through her lens, capturing intimate moments of motherhood without any filter. Wendy Symons possesses a remarkable ability to perceive the beauty in everyday moments, those small and delicate details often overlooked by the frantic pace of life. Her photography is a heartfelt exploration of the human experience at every stage of life. However, it’s the early motherhood experience that holds a special place in Wendy’s heart. She approaches it with an honest and intimate lens, revealing the profound bond between a mother and her child.

Inspiration flows to Wendy directly from nature itself. The healing power of the natural world influences her work and often becomes the muse for her next shoot. Through her lens, Wendy finds solace and inspiration, effortlessly merging the worlds of art and motherhood. Wendy Symons’ style is a testament to authenticity and the raw essence of life. She relies exclusively on natural light to capture genuine moments in their full splendour. This choice infuses her work with a warmth and truthfulness that makes each photograph an unfiltered window into the lives she documents.

One of Wendy’s extraordinary projects is Art Mama, in which she merges her two worlds, the artistic and the maternal. In the midst of the pandemic, she embarked on this introspective journey, diving into her life as a mother and artist. Wendy’s photo diary paints an intimate portrait of her children and herself as they deal with the complexities of motherhood during turbulent times. Her images are a reminder that the journey of motherhood, although unpredictable and chaotic, is a shared experience that unites us all.

Wendy Symons will present one of her shots at the Collater.al Photography exhibition at the Matalon Foundation in Milan from Sept. 22-24, 2023.
Courtesy Wendy Symons

Valentina Sergi (1997) is a fashion photographer with a passion for pastel colors, bold contrasts, and the vibrancy of images. Her professional work has led her to photograph a variety of subjects in exclusive locations, and her photographs have become a constant presence in many well-known fashion publications. However, what truly sets Valentina Sergi apart is her ability to craft an emotionally compelling narrative through the lens of her camera. Colors, the interplay of light and shadows, patterns, people’s hands, the warmth of an embrace, places steeped in nostalgia, and the hidden stories behind a wrinkle are all elements that Valentina Sergi seeks to capture in order to create a pure aesthetic composed of images that oscillate between the real and the surreal.

The A-Mors Series: A Deep Exploration of Love

One of Valentina Sergi’s most significant projects is the series titled A-Mors. This series delves into the theme of love in a profound and provocative manner. It revolves around genuine love, a love that has been eagerly anticipated, yet so strong that it overcomes the fragility of a tender heart. The intriguing wordplay in the title, where “A-Mors” appears to derive from the Latin “a-mors” (without death), underscores the eternity of this sentiment. In this series, Valentina Sergi explores the concept of an eternal love that transcends temporal boundaries. Her photographs capture moments of passion and affection, while simultaneously evoking a sense of transcendence.

Sergi’s works are emotional and surreal, with a strong conceptual underpinning. Valentina understands that photography is not merely the recording of an objective reality, but rather the presentation of stories, concepts, and worlds as she perceives them through her personal experiences, culture, and sensibilities.

Her connection between cinema and photography is evident, and this cross-pollination of the arts allows her to bring innovation to her work. The photographer leaves us with a famous quote by Vincent Peters, who states, “A photograph is not just made with a camera; it is brought to the act of photography with all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.“

Valentina Sergi will present one of her shots at the Collater.al Photography exhibition at the Matalon Foundation in Milan from Sept. 22-24, 2023.
Courtesy Valentina Sergi

In the series Delle Delizie Tarantine, a tribute to the city of Taranto, its history, and its hidden beauty, we find Luca Imperatrice behind the lens. A photographer active in the fashion world, Imperatrice also pursues personal projects like this one, aiming to portray his more personal side. This series draws inspiration from the 1771 Latin work by Tommaso Nicolò D’Acquino, celebrating the city in all its splendor, often concealed by the obscurity of time. The history of Taranto blends its ancient past and myth, a story seemingly destined to fade into oblivion. However, in Imperatrice’s project, Taranto is brought out of the darkness and comes to life in the photographs of Luca Imperatrice.

In the series, Imperatrice’s shots become a kind of guardian of Taranto’s history. Each image is a vivid memory of the city’s past, a testament to the extraordinary offerings of this land. Through Imperatrice’s lens, Taranto is reborn in a new light, and its neglected beauty becomes visible to all.

Each shot is a journey through time, an invitation to explore Taranto’s millennia-old history through the unique perspective of Imperatrice, who seeks to capture the essence of the city. Thanks to the images taken by Imperatrice, Taranto reveals a mythological and imaginative side waiting to be discovered by all.

You can find more projects from Luca Imperatrice here is his Instagram profile.

“Tupac The Legend” is a forty-page volume containing a unique collection of images taken by Michel Haddi during a photo shoot in 1993 with 2Pac. The book, signed and numbered out of 500 copies, was released on September 13th and also revisits some of the rapper’s thoughts. What sets this book apart is the inclusion of quotes from Tupac himself, providing a deeper understanding of the artist’s thoughts and personality. «I am thrilled to present this limited edition book: ‘Tupac The Legend,’ featuring many previously unreleased images,» enthusiastically declares Micheal Haddi.

Haddi’s personal connection with Tupac adds a special layer to the book’s narrative. During their encounter, Haddi was inspired to portray Tupac in attire reminiscent of Martin Luther King Jr., a vision the rapper decided to embrace, and the result of which is reflected in the book.

Micheal Haddi’s own story is fascinating as well, from a turbulent childhood in Paris to collaborations with iconic figures in the fashion industry. His story is as compelling as his photography. In conclusion, “Tupac The Legend” aims to be a heartfelt visual tribute to the legacy of Tupac Shakur. This limited edition coffee table book, with its unpublished images and personal anecdotes, promises to be a valuable addition to the collections of fans and portrait enthusiasts of the rapper.

“Beyond Fashion” is the solo exhibition that will open on October 19, 2023, and will run until March 16, 2024 in Milan, at the29 Arts in Progress Gallery Milan.

Ph. credits Michel Haddi courtesy of 29 Arts in Progress, Sarah Coldron