Yarns with...Federico Corradi.
by Kimberley Torrie
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Picky: When did you first pick up a camera? Please tell us your backstory!
Federico: I developed a passion for photography at a young age, and I have come a long way since then. Although I initially found the technical aspects of cameras intriguing, I have grown to appreciate the artistic and creative side of photography much more.
As I matured, I found myself drawn to the process of capturing my vision and bringing it to life through photography. It's a feeling of fulfilment that I crave constantly and motivates me to keep creating.
How would you describe your photographic genre / style?
I would say that my photographic style is a reflection of my deep desire to connect with others or go on a solo adventure, depending on my mood. I am drawn to capturing raw and genuine moments that convey emotions, and I always strive to infuse my personal touch into my work.
What’s your motivation to create the work which you create?
Lately, my focus has been on using fine art photography as a means to forge connections and cultivate relationships with my subjects. My latest project, intimi, showcases diverse masculinities within the queer community and aims to bring them to the forefront of contemporary conversations.
I am passionate about creating a space where individuals can see themselves and their experiences represented in an authentic and dignified way.
Favourite subject to photograph?
My favourite subject to photograph changes depending on my mood and current inspiration. Sometimes, I am drawn to the natural beauty of my surroundings, such as an intricately lit building in Akaroa. At other times, I prefer to capture the essence of my friends in their environment or over at the studio that I direct.
You’ve just opened up a not-for-profit studio space in Christchurch | Ōtautahi, Photosynthesis, can you tell us about the motivation behind it?
I have always had a burning desire to create a space where visual creators like myself can feel comfortable, connect with other creatives, and experiment with their art. Before opening Photosynthesis, I volunteered for two similar organisations which taught me a lot about community and space curation.
Last year, the perfect opportunity to launch Photosynthesis presented itself when I needed a studio for my own project, and I realised that there was a need for a space that could be shared with other visual artists to make the most of.
Traditional photography studios always felt cold and intimidating to me, and I believe that Photosynthesis, with its focus on supporting and empowering visual creatives with the necessary space, tools, and community to create visual art, affordably, is the perfect alternative.
As a queer photographer, what would you like to see more of in the creative, photographic or media landscape in NZ?
This is a tough question as I love all the images in my Picky collection, but one that really stands out to me is "Moody Views." It was shot during a trip to Takaka and captures the moody and atmospheric beauty of the area on that day perfectly. It's funny to me that this image was picked, as I actually shot it using a $20 film camera. However, I believe that what really matters in photography is not the price of the equipment, but the eye behind the lens and the creative choices made with the film stock and lens used.
What's next for you?
I am currently fully focused on enhancing the momentum of Photosynthesis, working on my photography book, and fulfilling commercial jobs to stay on top of bills. However, there are some exciting projects in the works behind the scenes at Photosynthesis, and I am eagerly looking forward to sharing more details with you soon.
Find Federico's collection on Picky here.
Portfolio: federicocorradi.com
IG: @federicocorradi
Photosynthesis website
Federico: I developed a passion for photography at a young age, and I have come a long way since then. Although I initially found the technical aspects of cameras intriguing, I have grown to appreciate the artistic and creative side of photography much more.
As I matured, I found myself drawn to the process of capturing my vision and bringing it to life through photography. It's a feeling of fulfilment that I crave constantly and motivates me to keep creating.
How would you describe your photographic genre / style?
I would say that my photographic style is a reflection of my deep desire to connect with others or go on a solo adventure, depending on my mood. I am drawn to capturing raw and genuine moments that convey emotions, and I always strive to infuse my personal touch into my work.
What’s your motivation to create the work which you create?
Lately, my focus has been on using fine art photography as a means to forge connections and cultivate relationships with my subjects. My latest project, intimi, showcases diverse masculinities within the queer community and aims to bring them to the forefront of contemporary conversations.
I am passionate about creating a space where individuals can see themselves and their experiences represented in an authentic and dignified way.
Favourite subject to photograph?
My favourite subject to photograph changes depending on my mood and current inspiration. Sometimes, I am drawn to the natural beauty of my surroundings, such as an intricately lit building in Akaroa. At other times, I prefer to capture the essence of my friends in their environment or over at the studio that I direct.
You’ve just opened up a not-for-profit studio space in Christchurch | Ōtautahi, Photosynthesis, can you tell us about the motivation behind it?
I have always had a burning desire to create a space where visual creators like myself can feel comfortable, connect with other creatives, and experiment with their art. Before opening Photosynthesis, I volunteered for two similar organisations which taught me a lot about community and space curation.
Last year, the perfect opportunity to launch Photosynthesis presented itself when I needed a studio for my own project, and I realised that there was a need for a space that could be shared with other visual artists to make the most of.
Traditional photography studios always felt cold and intimidating to me, and I believe that Photosynthesis, with its focus on supporting and empowering visual creatives with the necessary space, tools, and community to create visual art, affordably, is the perfect alternative.
As a queer photographer, what would you like to see more of in the creative, photographic or media landscape in NZ?
As a queer photographer, I would love to see more creators embrace their unique perspectives and give themselves permission to be themselves. I think it's important to push back against the fear of criticism and embrace the diversity and richness that comes with authentic self-expression.
In my opinion, nothing is more boring than conformity. I believe that by celebrating our differences and bringing our unique perspectives to the table, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive creative, photographic, and media landscape in NZ.
This is a tough question as I love all the images in my Picky collection, but one that really stands out to me is "Moody Views." It was shot during a trip to Takaka and captures the moody and atmospheric beauty of the area on that day perfectly. It's funny to me that this image was picked, as I actually shot it using a $20 film camera. However, I believe that what really matters in photography is not the price of the equipment, but the eye behind the lens and the creative choices made with the film stock and lens used.
What's next for you?
I am currently fully focused on enhancing the momentum of Photosynthesis, working on my photography book, and fulfilling commercial jobs to stay on top of bills. However, there are some exciting projects in the works behind the scenes at Photosynthesis, and I am eagerly looking forward to sharing more details with you soon.
Find Federico's collection on Picky here.
Portfolio: federicocorradi.com
IG: @federicocorradi
Photosynthesis website