There was mutual trust and a shared willingness to work together to produce a set of photographs that we would both appreciate. Well, to be honest, it mattered more to me that Chiara loved the photographs than that I did. After all, I was the photographer, but she was the person who would be looking at these images and seeing herself through my lens.
As I always say, a photoshoot immortalises the best version of a person at a particular moment in time. These are not simply photographs. They are memories that we can return to years later, reminding us of who we were and how we looked at a certain point in our lives. In many ways, the photographs we create during a photoshoot will be remembered far longer than the thousands of pictures we casually snap on our phones every day.
For this photoshoot, we decided to meet at Wied il-Għasel in Mosta. It had been ages since I had last photographed someone there, and I was looking forward to returning to this beautiful valley.
When we arrived, I realised that despite the heavy rain a couple of days earlier, the soil was already dry. It was a reminder of just how hot and dry the summer had been, with the ground seemingly absorbing all the water before returning to its familiar dryness.
Nature, however, had a particular challenge waiting for us. Tiger mosquitoes were ready to feast on unsuspecting humans, and what a meal they had! They seemed particularly attracted to my bald head, although Chiara appeared to be their favourite target. She bravely carried on with the photoshoot despite their persistent attacks. By the time we finished, she was covered in little mosquito bites, some of which were already turning an angry red. I have to give her credit for her determination. Not everyone would have been so patient under those circumstances!
Despite the mosquitoes, we enjoyed working together. Chiara had brought several outfits, and these helped showcase different aspects of her personality. Of course, I am sure there are other sides to her that we have yet to discover, and perhaps future photoshoots will give us the opportunity to explore them.
That is one of the things I love about portrait photography. Every person has different sides to their personality, and sometimes the right outfit, location or moment can help reveal something different. A photoshoot is not simply about standing in front of a camera and smiling. It is also about creating an environment in which someone feels comfortable enough to express themselves.
As a photographer, I am not trying to bring out a person’s personality as though it were something hidden that I need to uncover. Rather, I want to capture the different sides of that person and create photographs that reflect who they are. There is always more to someone than a single photograph can show, and that is part of what makes portrait photography so interesting to me.
We began the day as two complete strangers. By the end, we had shared an experience, worked together creatively and learned a little more about each other.
Perhaps that is one of the unexpected gifts of photography. We often focus on the final photographs, but the experience itself can be just as meaningful. Behind every photograph, there is a story, a conversation and a moment of connection between the person in front of the camera and the person behind it.
And, as I usually do after working with someone, I would like to leave you with a series of questions I asked Chiara. Some are light-hearted, others reveal a little more about who she is, and a few might make you curious enough to ask yourself the same questions.
After all, we can spend time with someone and still know very little about them. Sometimes, all it takes is the right question to discover something unexpected.
Getting to Know Chiara
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
What is the one song that will always make you want to dance?
Letter 23 by Brothers Johnson
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Cinnabons.
What is one thing you are surprisingly good at?
Go-karting.
What is one thing you are absolutely terrible at?
Tests.
What was the scariest thing you ever did?
Moving to Italy alone at 18.
What three things would you take to a desert island?
A guitar, a pen and a book.
What food could you eat every day and never get bored of?
Lasagne.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A night owl.
What is the strangest thing you have ever done?
Worked as a national observer.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Dolly Parton.
What is one thing on your bucket list?
Going to Japan.
What was your favourite cartoon or TV show as a child?
Spirit, the one about the horse.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to read minds.
What is one thing people are often surprised to discover about you?
That I am smart.
If you could swap lives with someone for one day, who would it be?
A cat.
What is your perfect Sunday?
Watching the sunset at the beach with a good drink and a nice meal.
And finally, what is one question you wish I had asked you?
Which is your favourite animal?
And with that final question, we come to the end of our little introduction to Chiara.
I would like to thank her for trusting me with this photoshoot, for bringing her outfits and personality to the experience, and for persevering despite the mosquitoes that seemed determined to become part of our story.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this reflection, consider subscribing for future posts exploring photography, life, and the stories behind the moments we often take for granted.
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About the Author
Sergio Morana is an educator, photographer and writer based in Malta. Through photography and writing, he explores life’s meaningful moments, personal growth, and the stories that connect us.
📷 Photography: Holy Communions • Confirmations • Portraits • Family Sessions • Events
