Alessandro Bergonzoni
- Text by Alex King
- Photography by Alessandro Bergonzoni
Alessandro Bergonzoni juggles hustling it as a freelance photographer with part time jobs as he records his journey through life with photography. He grew up obsessed by music and skateboarding but realised his own talent lay in shooting other people’s bands and the skaters he watched doing their thing. The skatepark was the place that taught him everything he knew about shooting photos and it’s still the place where he finds the richest subjects in his search to capture the energy of fleeting moments.
When and why did you start shooting pictures?
I started taking photos when I was about 13 years old, but I started thinking about it as a profession 10 years later. I have always felt the necessity to keep records of what was going on around me.
What is it you love about film photography?
The grain, the colours, the unknowns about how the photos are going to come out. Photos taken on film just have that coolness that digital will never have.
What are you passionate about – interests, hobbies outside of photography – and how does this inform the images you take?
Music and skateboarding are my main interests. I’ve always been into them since I was a kid and they helped me to grow up. Music in particular, playing guitar, DJing and going to shows. But I’ve never been really good at them so I started taking photos of friends’ bands and skaters I met at skateparks. That’s where I learned how to take photos.
Who or what inspires your work? Any other photographers?
My friends and what surrounds me. I always look at zines, blogs, books, exhibitions, magazines, newspapers. Everything. If I have to mention names they would be: Chris Shonting, Atiba Jefferson, Lele Saveri, Nick Sethi.
What do you do for a living and how does photography fit into your life?
I do photography freelance and part time jobs the rest of the time. Photography is my main thing but it still doesn’t pay the rent.
How do you share your work? Zines, books, exhibitions, blog etc? And what’s the editing process like for you? Are you trying to tell stories with your images? What are those stories?
I mainly use my blog. It’s always updated. My website just went live but I’m still working on it. I also use Instagram and social networks. I am planning to do some zines next year. I’m psyched about it.
I always try to not edit my photos. I do my best work when I shoot so I try to keep them as they are.
My images tell my story, my life. I just want to share them with everyone.
Are your photos staged/posed or documentary? Can you describe why you choose to shoot in this way?
My photos are mostly documentary. I don’t really care about posing. I try to capture the moment. Some people get shy and don’t really express themselves if they’re asked to pose. I love taking photos on the street, where people are too busy doing their thing.
If you had to take one photo that summed up your view on life, what would it capture?
Probably a photo of someone skating through cars at rush hour.
To see more of Alessandro’s work check out his website.
Are you a film photography fan? To be considered for a slot on the Huck site, send a folio of 10 analogue images to [email protected] using the subject line MY LIFE IN ANALOGUE.
Submissions made before December 20, 2013, will be entered into a competition to win a Lomography camera. See competition for further details.
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