The results

I don’t think Fabiana and I are perfect, but what we like to do is to work hard and try new approaches to our photography style. As it usually happens, not everything turns out as it should. This photo shoot was exceptionally difficult, because we were mixing our Boudoir style to something more towards lifestyle. The point is that when you work with two models, you need to be extra careful in the messages you want to send out.

I am happy about the results, I have to say that even if few of the images were not exactly what we wanted, I think that the general feeling hit the chords we wanted. Some of the images you can see here do not have the “distance” we wanted them to have in order to retain their edginess without move to other styles of photography, but I still think that the editorial that we were able to create is strong and good.

Where could have we done better

We believe that nudity is part of fashion and boudoir, but we have never been attracted to the glamorous side: we are simply not interested in it. The issue is that when you work with two female models with some nudity or implied such, you need to avoid certain poses and certain attitudes that may drive the photo towards it. If we had to re-shoot this specific editorial I think we would have a better planning of the final images and story, and I believe that we would have directed the models in a slightly different way, maybe explaining a little better what we wanted to achieve.

A big kudos to Leah, our brunette model, who played the part extremely well, bringing out her confidence in the right moment, trusting us and helping us directing the shoot in the right direction. She was also our make up artist during the evening, so double-kudos to her.

Have your say

Do you think we did a good job? Do you think these images have the strength we saw in them? We are looking forward to receiving your comments!

In the photos up and coming model Leah Jade Hurley and Petra Paskova

When I look around, seeking for an inspiration, I have to dig deep to find something I really love, and usually it is something very fresh, innovative and created by people who are not afraid to let their creativity flow. When I look back at The Round Peg I see something that is growing, but that still is not at the level I want to bring it, and sadly this is due to the lack of time and resources we are still facing. Step by step we are growing and becoming more and more independent, but the road is still long and we have so many great ideas.

Few days ago we started the collaboration with Belén, our new marketing manager, and today we are starting a new hunt: creative writers, young minds who have a drive for everything that is fashion, with a twist for social media and video. We are looking to expand our idea more and more and we do not fear to bring the best in!

The road that we have planned ahead is a constant work-in-progress, and we want someone to come in and help us shape it. We are not interested in those who just play by the rules, we are looking for other round pegs. You will be allowed to think and to express creatively, working side-by-side with us.

Unfortunately we will be able to pay you with our experience, with a lot of (good) caffeine and with a small platform where you can showcase yourself as part of the team! So, what do you think? Are you the fashion creative we are looking for?

In the photos up and coming actress Raquel Escobar Rios and model Jerome Prince, prepared by Helen Bennett

It is no secret that Fabiana and I will soon expand the number in our family with the arrival of our firstborn. The baby boy will come in December and it will bring so many new things that I cannot even immagine: we are looking forward to meeting him.

The Round Peg, however, is family as well, and each and everyone of the great people we collaborate with, is part of it. Belén is an incredible person, very active, with tons of great ideas, and has already light our fires to move this family forward. This long weekend we had the possibility to do some great brainstorming and the results will be an increased amount of work (SIC), but for a good cause: a marketing strategy to bring our work in front of those who play the game.

We are really happy Belén joined us: it will be a pleasure to work with her, and learn so much from her!

Black and white photos from our shoot in Camber Sands few weeks ago.

Yesterday we had been invited to participate to a small fashion show in London. Three up and coming designers were showcasing their recent creations at the Whitehouse venue in Clapham, and we had the possibility to walk the backstage doors and capture those intense moments that precede the catwalk. It was great to see so many creative people rushing to make something special.

The event was the eagerly awaited launch of fashion label FunkyEllaMent (FEM) XPOSE, providing a platform for up and coming designers. It is always great to see young people working hard to create diversity and innovation in the fashion business.

From the instructions shouted and the make ups tips moved amongst the artists and the techniques to create fashionable hair styles, photographing the backstage has been great.

If you want to download the entire backstage + fashion show shots, both in colour and black and white, feel free to do it from ->here<-!

The Style

There are times when you know exactly the theme of a specific photo shoot, while some others it grows dynamically the more great professionals you bring in. This was an example of how a dynamic and clear growth can bring great results, mixing together different styles.

Initially we decided to do a very simple shoot on a beach using some denim. The idea was to have a very simple editorial using some jeans and some high-fashion partial nudity. Then I begun grouping the fantastic individuals who made this shoot possible, and the more these people become involved, the more idea they brought to the table.

Please note that partial fashion nudity in contained in the images in this blog post. If you are offended by partial nudity or if you are in an office environment, please be warned. Otherwise… Enjoy!

Testing, testing, testing: this is how you find fantastic professionals

I have always been an advocate for the testing approach: you give and you receive. This is how we met, in time, all the people we have worked with in Camber Sands. And trust me, the fact that many of them are Italians is a pure coincidence, but I have complete confidence and great esteem for each and everyone of them.

This is how we met Carlo, a fantastic make up artist, Caterina, a hair stylist that will evolve in something big, Roksana, a model for whom high-fashion is a second nature, Torbjørn (AKA Toby) a very committed but down to earth and positive model, Belén, who is fostering her great interest for photography and last but not least, Lucrezia, a young and incredibly talented stylist.

Bringing great ideas together

As I was saying before, the real theme for this photo shoot came mixing different great ideas together. When I approached Lucrezia, touching base if she would have been interested in doing a test together, I was impressed with the quality of the ideas she pulled together. Not only she provided us with different ideas and possible styles, but she also used some of the same sources of inspiration we use!

The journey for the preparation of this photo shoot lasted almost a month, planning the garments, the make up, mixing inspiration, finding the right people and finding the perfect location. It has not been a simple task, but in the end it paid off with some amazing results! For me it was worth it, what do you think?

Overcoming the difficulties

Camber Sands posed some difficulties, at least initially. The first one was that we should have had a written permission to shoot there, but because our test was not commercial we were allowed to carry on. I am very thankful to the people from the coast guard who understood the situation. The second issue was that all the British kindness seems to be missing in the people in that location. We just needed a plug for the heated rollers, but before finding the great guys at the game shop we hit against very business driven people, who offered their help for just £80 for using a questionable enclosed space for a very short time. Ehm, what? In the end we overcame the difficulties, also thanks to a magnificent team who worked in some difficult situation without complaining. Thanks to their fantastic efforts!

A great team that worked seamlessly together, even in the cold

Fabiana and I had the luck to find a hard-working team who was focussed in creating fantastic images. Carlo, well the “other” Carlo, our great make up artist, fought against the wind and the sand flying all over (especially in his kit, that had to be thoroughly cleaned the day after). Caterina overcame the local difficulties as a real pro, not stopping in front of the first, second and third “no”. Belén learning a lot and helping us in every possible way. Roksana and Toby pushing away the cold and resisting to the not-so-warm temperatures of the close of July. And a notable mention has to go for Lucrezia, the “newbie” of the team, who came with great ideas, great spirit and a passion that was driven to perfection: one of the best stylist we have used so far!

Thank You to each and everyone of them, because they made a fantastic result possible.

Some lessons learned

Camber Sands taught us some lessons and next time we will make sure all these will be learned. First of all, the next time we will move eight people we will travel together in a single van. Renting one is not extremely expensive, but provides a base of operations that is absolutely vital to allow each and everyone of the team members to work in the best conditions. Do not rely on locals for any kind of support. If it will come, better, but don’t jeopardise your well planned photo shoot for this. Second, do your research more thoroughly: no websites, not even the official Rye website, reported that Camber Sands was not a public place. We risked to be shown the door and it would have caused a loads of problems. As always, if you think you may need some warm clothes, bring more and more, and maybe bring some warm coffee as well. Our two models were fantastic, but it was cold!

So, what do you think?

So, what do you think of the photos showcased in this post? Are they worth it? We honestly think so, but please, have your say!

The Team:

• Photographers: Carlo and Fabiana Nicora
• Stylist: Lucrezia Mancini
• Make Up Artist: Carlo Di Caterino
• Hair Stylist: Caterina Maiolini
• Assistant: Belén Gallego
• Models: Roksana Lagowska @ Confidence Models, Torbjørn Vinding Merinder @ Urban Management

My perception of photography is ever-changing and I like it in this way. The more I progress, the more I look around to find the real inspiration for our future. Fabiana and I have different approaches and different loves, and this is really exciting, especially because we share our passion and we create our style based on both the visions. This, to me, creates a unique approach composed by two different vision who uniquely blends to create the style of The Round Peg.

Few weeks ago we decided we were ready to explore a more lifestyle approach to our photography. Photographers like Nick Onken, Iain McKell and others, who mixes different styles maintaining an eye towards that fashion, always provocative and inspiring, are some of the sources of inspiration to me. Going down this route, in a path not entirely explored before, is something challenging, but in a positive sense. When we started shooting the first #londonlifestyle session we did not know what to expect. Working more on the fashion side we have always gone for more structured sessions, therefore approaching a lifestyle leaving more space to reality, trying to give our models more freedom and pushing them to interact more amongst themselves than with the camera!

The results are a first step towards what I think we may do in the future. To be the first photo shoot of this kind, I am quite happy with them, now there is a very interesting road ahead to explore!

What do you think? Have your say!!!

As always a huge thanks to our fantastic team on the day!

• Photographers: Carlo and Fabiana Nicora
• Make Up Artist: Connie O’Brien
• Assistant: Magdalena Rakita
• Models:
• Shaney Leigh
• Tu Anh La
• Dan Atkins
• Jack Iacovu

The season of our photography workshops in London is more alive than ever. The next one-day class on lighting and model management will be on Sunday 25th of July and some places are still available!



Our one day basic course is targeted to those photographers who want to move their photography skill to a more advanced level, using studio flashes and learning how to deal with models or even normal subject. The style of the Shaping Lights has always been friendly, informal and informative.

The course is divided in two parts, the initial one will be focussed on the theoretical knowledge you need to have to use flashes, while the second is a practical approach to photographing subjects.



This course “menu” is composed by:

- The ABC of photography: F-Stops

- Going Manual: how to control your camera settings

- Light: understand the flash

- Gears: how to make the most of the studio tools

- People: how to manage them

- People: how to light them

- Lights and Shadows: why they are both important and how to use them

- Rules of Photography (and how to bend them)



If you want more information or if you want to book your place, feel free to send us an email!