They came to Calabria for a summer vacation by the Tyrrhenian Sea. And as part of their stay, I offered them something a little unexpected — a quiet evening photo tour to a hidden lavender field tucked away between the hills. I picked them up by car, just like I do with most of my guests, and we set off on a little adventure.
These summer mini photo tours are something I adore organizing. I take small groups — usually up to three people — from selected towns in Calabria and bring them to special, carefully chosen locations. Along the way, there’s always a bottle of water, some light snacks, good music, and often a quick stop for coffee or a mini sightseeing moment. It’s never just about photos — it’s about creating memories.
And this evening gave us everything: a golden sunset, blooming lavender, and a bond between two people that could light up a whole valley.
Unlike the gentle, feminine portrait session I shot right before (which you can see in the Personal Stories section), this session was full of motion and laughter. They ran, they played, they threw pretend airplanes, hugged, chased each other between rows of lavender — and smiled nonstop.
As a photographer, this is the kind of energy that fills me up. Nothing staged, nothing forced. Just pure connection and love — framed by the scent of lavender and the soft hills of southern Italy.
This was more than a shoot.
It was a shared moment in time — and a reminder that joy can be so simple.