Francesco Spighi Photography

About Francesco Spighi Photography

Sport-addicted, eager pizza and gelato eater. Overly emotional. Forever a drawing, comics, and anime lover, I graduated in mechanical engineering in 2005; unexpectedly, years later I discovered photography and wondered how I could have survived without it until that moment. Ten years ago I resigned, giving my life a plot twist. Since then, I've been capturing weddings in Italy and worldwide. From the enchanting Tuscan hills, I'm fortunate enough to call home, to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Venice, Lake Como, and beyond. My favorite moment at weddings is the father-daughter dance.

Behind The Brand

What draws you to wedding photography?

I met wedding photography by chance. As almost all the beautiful things in life occur, it all happened when my life was supposed to be set on a couple of rock-solid rails, adding an unpredictable turn to my journey. I graduated in Mechanical engineering and was building my career as a Project Manager when, after four years as a passionate photographer, in 2012 I shot my first wedding. I’ve always been in love with painting, drawing, and art in general; when I discovered wedding photography and the freedom of creation it gives you, it was love at first sight. Suddenly, two years later, I permanently handed over the reins of my life to my brain’s right hemisphere. And I couldn’t be happier.

How would you describe your photography style?

Fascinated at the same time by the essence of some fashion photography and by light and how it defines and sculpts forms, in the years, honesty and authenticity shaped my approach to clients, transforming the task of taking photographs into an effortless, laidback mutual experience. To me, portraying somebody means relating to this human being somewhere halfway. It’s an effort we do – together – to forge a connection. I aim to share something. Reaching people in an unknown space where both the parts initially appear a bit awkward and stiff. Not imposing my vision but joining others’ lives for a few to seek those tiny, naive gestures that mean a lot to them. Slightly beneath the surface. While I strive to capture truthful, timeless memories in this shared playground, I can’t help but do my best to wrap these real feelings with an editorial vibe. Even my postproduction style goes in the same direction, keeping an eye on the authentic colors of the world while being modern and personal at the same time.

What inspires you creatively?

Apart from art, cinema, and comics (yep, I loved them since I was a kid!), I primarily draw inspiration from the real world, life, and travel. Photography has become a kind of lifestyle for me – something I live and breathe, a mix of passion and obsession. Photography has altered my view of the world, and I’m constantly seduced by how light changes and interacts with people moving in the space it wraps. Being in photography for so many years changed my perspective, which now consists of layers and dimensions, and my experiences continue to shape how I see things and – ultimately – my life, closing the circle. On top of that, I have a 15-year-old daughter who is discovering fashion and trends, so she keeps me updated on the new generation’s POVs, desires, and struggles.

What is it that makes an image magical?

This is a tough one. I’d say that sparkle of others’ lives and emotions you see sometimes, or when a photo makes the vibe exhaled by a particular atmosphere, resonate with you. It could be a soft gesture, an eyesight, or just the light you find in one specific picture. An in-between moment that reflects the true essence of things. But magic rarely happens by chance, and 95% of the photographer’s work to create it, is without a camera in hand. Magic is nested in the time the photographer spends observing and creating connections.

What advice would you give couples when selecting their wedding photographer?

Avoid following the crowd and its trends. You’re unique; search for somebody who will focus on you, and choose that one photographer whose images genuinely relate to you. Request photographers to see a few complete galleries, not just one, and not just the highlights. Look at their whole work to see if you can envision yourself in their storytelling.

Think about this: that one and only person you’ll share your entire day with, is the only alien attending your wedding! So, schedule a call to look into their eyes and connect, trusting what your gut has to say about.

Once, a client told me: “I chose you because – looking at your photos – I feel like I need to be a friends with all the people I see there.” From what I can recall, that’s the best comment I’ve received about my work so far!

Your dream location to shoot a wedding?

I have worked abroad a few times, but there’s nothing to me like this country, and I love to be considered a kind of local expert.
This work opened the doors to many incredible places in Italy: private castles, renaissance villas, abandoned towns converted into resorts, luxury hotels, ancient towers, hidden old monasteries, and lonely, minimalist, well-aged country houses with incredible views. I can just ask to explore more, see new, unexpected places, and discover unknown gems hidden here and there in our beautiful country.

Editor’s Notes

Why we love him…

A perfect contrast and balance of soft and deep blacks and whites. Capturing delicate moments where it’s about how the light came through, how the wind blew, or how the light hit. Frames sit in mosaic beauty, bringing in details that will only be remembered through Francesco.

For the couple…

Who wants to crystallize fleeting, inimitable moments. Who is inspired by the feel, the energy, and the magnetism of a moment. For seekers of painterly images in black and white that expose the infinite tones of only two colors. And through black and whites, capture the grandeur of a landscape or the intimacy of a moment.