Photographer Luca De Massis may have been destined to pursue the American Dream, but he was always going to do it with an Italian twist: with an eye for beauty and a lust for life. Moving to New York City with very little money in his pocket, not to mention the language barrier and intense competition of the fashion industry, the odds were stacked against him. But De Massis rose to the occasion, eventually making a name for himself shooting editorial spreads for Vogue, Elle and Forbes magazines, among others.
De Massis was first exposed to photography by his uncle, who taught him how to develop film in a darkroom. Fifteen years later, De Massis has become known for his raw, unpretentious aesthetic. While the setting, the hair and makeup, and the composition may change with every high-fashion shoot, one thing is constant across all his portraits: the piercing gaze of his subjects. He is able to capture a certain authenticity behind the eyes, providing a window into the soul. For De Massis, beauty lies in the imperfections, in our differences, and it is by operating under this conviction that he finds beauty everywhere. La dolce vita, via New York.
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- What is the first creative project you remember?
Growing up, my uncle used to take a lot of pictures of me with his film camera. We decided to change one of the rooms in his house into a darkroom to process photographic film. I remember the many films I accidentally destroyed because I did not have the knowledge of how to properly develop film into an actual image. One day, I almost set the room on fire while playing with chemicals. It was very fun—a learning experience I will never forget.
- Describe your aesthetic in three words.
Timeless, creative, trendy.
- What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?
I had the pleasure of working with the well-known actor/singer Robert Davi in Italy in 2014 where I had to shoot a commercial video for Novara sunglasses. This collaboration was the most fulfilling because, like me, he too is Italian and had to work hard to create a name for himself. It was a humbling experience working with someone of his caliber. We have become very good friends over the years, which opened many doors for me in the cinema industry.
- What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?
Working on different projects for Vogue taught me to look at what is perceived as beauty from different points of view. I realized that, for me, beauty lies in the imperfections, turning flaws into ideals, recognizing that there is no standard for beauty. Once I realized that, I figured out that with the right surroundings you will find beauty in everyone and everything.
- Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?
We are all born equally. In my opinion, everybody is born with creativity, and it takes a different form for each person. However, not everyone’s creativity is awakened, sometimes it is even suppressed, which can be due to several reasons. Once you awaken your creativity, you must hone it and practice to get better at it. Always stay curious.
- What’s the last dream you had?
I was back home in Italy enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean weather and eating a delicious plate of pasta.
- One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?
That everyone can be confident in their own skin, that I always aimed to capture inner beauty in its most raw and authentic form, and that I never really followed a trend but was always true to my style and how I viewed beauty with my own eyes.
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