Lorenzo Bringheli Interview

Lorenzo Bringheli, is one man that makes life worth living. His inspiration transcends fashion and the industry that surrounds it and his work breaks barriers that make his photography so relatable. His bio starts out as, “Born in 1981, Italian photographer Lorenzo Bringheli began taking pictures at a young age, while still attending “liceo classico” high school. If young photographers can’t appreciate that, then whet your appetite for these walloping facts. Lorenzo has shot for Vogue Italia, Vogue Nippon, L’Uomo Vogue, GQ US, A4 magazine, D magazine, Esquire, and many more. The personality from this man from the boot-shaped country shines through his work, and together we sat down for a one-on-one.

Trey Taylor: How did you get your start with fashion photography?

Lorenzo Bringheli: When i was 16 back in Italy i did not pass my school class -i was actually a pretty bad student - and felt very depressed. My older cousin, photographer,  at the time 28 year old, was going for a job in St. Tropez, south of France, and offered me to go there as his assistant (of course for free). There i found out about a new passion and love that would change my life. I mean not just fashion photography, but photography 360 degrees.

TT: Were you ever interested in fashion as a boy?
LB: I guess i was interested in fashion as a young boy. In Italy for sure it’s very normal to pay attention to the way you look. Both my mother and father are really elegant people and my mother told me by the time I was 3 I pretended to choose, everyday, my own clothes. I think the “imprinting” plays a crutial role, as well as the freedom your family allows you to experiment and find out by yourself what you really like, without strong judgements.

TT: Why photography at all? I’m sure there are many more glamorous, higher paying jobs out there, so why photography?

LB: I never thought at photography as simply a way of sustaining myself and making money, but as the best job a curious guy like me could do. I love people, I am interested in people and love to travel and discover new things. I love beauty. It may sound cheesy but for me it’s really important. A beautiful glass, face, landscape, light, smile, body, etc. More than anything I loved -and still love- the idea that everyone, with just a simple camera and good taste, could achieve a beautiful thing: a photograph, that could please and inspire others. I always felt photography was very democratic.

TT: What is your favourite movie?
LB: It’s hard to pick up just one movie… i would probably say “La dolce vita”, Federico Fellini

TT: Where do you get inspiration?
LB: Inspiration can come from so many different things, fellings that you have during time, during life. What inspires you today not necessairly will have the same effect on you after a while,or just tomorrow. 
However, inspiration can come from an idea, a song, a movie, a music video, a poem, a friend, good food, love, struggle and much more.

TT: Do you hope to inspire people? What is the main motive behind your photography?
LB: I never really thought about inspiring other people (that does not mean that i wouldn’t be flattered by that or that I don’t value people’s opinion). When I was beginning, photography was related a lot to “others” opinion, while now I feel in a stage where I care 1st and mostly to please myself and what I like. My main motive is to achieve a timeless image, that will never bore me.

TT: Any advice for those just starting out in the industry?
LB: You have to love it. You have to be determined and self confident. But also know that learning is a never-stopping process.
Many times you’ll find yourself being the only one believing in you. You have to know it’s gonna be tough, that many talented and creative people want to do what you do and there are not as many jobs as people willing to do shoot them.

TT: Do you find work hard to come by or are there always people knocking on your doorstep?
LB: It depends by my mood. Sometimes i feel it’s pretty easy sometimes the hardest thing in the world. I would say there’s no general rule, but as well as any other freelance job, getting and searching for new work is part of the duties.

TT: Anybody you’d like to work with in the future?
LB: So many people it’s impossible to make a list. It would be nearly endless given the curiosity and interest i have in people; and i don’t mean just famous or goodlooking.

TT: Anybody you look up to or try to imitate?
LB: I was definitely inspired a lot by the work and “persona” of Richard Avedon. And like him many more photographers. But i learned that no one can be imitated, as everyone of us is different and has different stories, emotions, backgrounds and imprinting and we’re living in different times. But it’s good and normal, i guess, to be inspired by other great people and their work.

TT: Leave us with one lasting quote that you think everybody should know.
LB: Try to find yourself and be happy.

Thanks Lorenzo! You have a fan in me! g

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