Headed Into Rome Like...My American Academy in Rome residency.

Headed Into Rome Like...

My American Academy in Rome Residency.

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Apologies for missing a week. I’ve been settling into my residency at The American Academy in Rome. I had a signing at a bookstore near the Colosseum before I even had a chance to unpack my best shirt. Before Rome, I was in London for the weekend packing in about 13K steps per day. It has been quite an adjustment. If that wasn’t enough, once I got to the Academy, the heat was out in my apartment for three days, which wasn’t fun. I made the most of it as best as I could, though. I shot in the mornings when light was prime. I’m learning old man fashion in Rome is better than bro fashion in NYC any day of the week as evidenced below at this morning card game is Trastevere.

Whenever I shoot on the streets here I do my best to stick to places with loads of foot traffic so I stand out less with my set up. I’m knocked over with kindness in most cases. A gaggle of girls saw my camera and chased me down to take pictures of them. It was too cute to turn down. My only request was to go about their business, not to smile and not to look at the camera. The phrase I use is “non in posa.” Literally translates into “not posing.”

Italy’s light has a rich, golden tone. In the mornings the brushstrokes of it lick the cobblestones of ancient Rome, laid before me, ready to admire.

Even the outfits people walk their dogs in are stunning. For as much as I would like to up my wardrobe game more, I only packed about five things to wear in rotation - I had to prioritize camera space over fashion in my luggage.

While I’m here, I’m also editing my second book. I am using the wall in my studio to sequence everything. It’s exhausting and I’m at the phase where I am sick of my own work and can’t stand looking at it, so the street shooting has been a great break. I came here, after all, to make Rome my studio. So far, so good.

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