Donatella Nicolini

Masterfully entwining elegance and confidence, Donatella Nicolini's photography captures the essence of an expectant mother with a quiet simplicity that speaks volumes. "My ultimate mission is to empower women through my work," states the Italian photographer, who was born and raised in Milan. "I take great care to make every woman I photograph feel like a professional model. Attention to detail, combined with my unique style, allows me to offer a liberating and transformative experience through photography."

Not only has Donatella's striking yet sensitive style garnered praise from the hundreds of women she has immortalised, but also from the highest echelons of the publishing world, with magazines including Vanity Fair, Elle, Marie Claire and Rolling Stone showcasing her talent on an international scale. However, her crowning achievement came when Forbes Italia named her as one of its 100 successful women of 2023, an extraordinary accolade that punctuates a meteoric rise to global acclaim just five years after transitioning from amateur status to pro.

Obsessed with arts and crafts as a child, Donatella moved into photography as a teenager, experimenting with her father's camera, a Canon AE-1. "For me, photography was a natural evolution." she explains. "I felt like I had found a way to create images that were less messy and even more interesting than painting."

It wasn't until she was in her mid-twenties, though, that she saw the potential to turn her passion into profit, with the idea surfacing during a stint living and working at a Wild West theme park in Sweden with a troupe of creative performers. "It sounds crazy, but it's true!" she laughs. "One day, a colleague asked if I could take a few pictures of her performing during the show. I eagerly agreed and over the next two weeks I carried a camera everywhere, capturing portraits of all my friends and colleagues after work and posting the photos on Facebook. They loved the pictures and asked me to photograph their portfolios. It was not only incredibly enjoyable, but also a way for me to make new friends in a foreign place. I used to be quite shy and introverted, making it challenging to connect with people. However, I realised that through my lens, I could connect with people on a deeper level, and I felt much more at ease around them."

It wasn't just souvenirs and lifelong friends Donatella returned home to Italy with; she'd found her raison d'etre. "After that, it was the only job I could imagine doing for the rest of my life. Nothing else brought me as much joy and fulfilment as photographing people and witnessing their reactions. From that point on, I dedicated my life to photography."

Much of your work is high contrast black and white, what is the reason behind this?

"I suppose I'm drawn to black and white photography because I find it to be more timeless and impactful. In the absence of colour, we can direct our attention more towards the elegant lines and shapes of the pregnant body, which is a central focus of my work."

Can you tell us about your preference for studio lighting and how it influences your creative process?

"Approximately 90% of my work is captured using studio lighting, as I consider it to be an exciting element to experiment with. I'm constantly exploring the art of using studio lighting to create minimalist compositions, which I hope convey a sense of strength and grace. I try to allocate a portion of my photoshoots to playing around with up to four lights and different colours. This experimentation allows me to create unexpected and unique images that add an element of surprise and delight for my clients."

Pregnancy, by its very nature, can be a difficult time for women, but your subjects look so content and comfortable. How do you achieve this?

"I find that by valuing the subject's input, providing clear direction, and allowing them to be an active part of the creative journey, they'll not only feel relaxed but also empowered. This approach helps bring out their beauty and confidence, resulting in images that reflect their unique and authentic self. The pre-shooting consultation, where we discuss their personality, preferences, and expectations, is the first step. It allows us to connect on a personal level and ensures that they have a voice in the creative process. During the photoshoot, I maintain a professional yet warm and empathetic demeanour. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where they can be themselves."

"When you're starting out, becoming relevant to your audience can be an uphill battle, so I made a point of sharing my work across various platforms, whether through photography contests, Facebook groups or other social media. However, I didn't underestimate the significance of offline connections. I recognised that showing up in person and building meaningful relationships is often overlooked, but crucial. So, I actively attended photography events, networked with other industry professionals and created those valuable connections. This real-world presence became a pivotal aspect of my journey to overcome the challenge of starting out without any industry connections."

Instagram: @donatellanicolinistudio

Website: donatellanicolini.it