PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND FOR OUR CITY
"What a good photographer must try to do is to put the heart,
the mind and the eye on the same line of sight."
Henri Cartier-Bresson
ABOUT US
Discover the magic of Venice through the eyes of Simone Padovani and Stefano Mazzola. We are two internationally recognized photojournalists with over a decade of experience in photography and education.
Based in Venice, we combine our deep local knowledge with a passion for storytelling to offer immersive photography experiences like no other. Our work has appeared in leading publications, including National Geographic and the New York Times, and as contributors to Getty Images, we bring world-class expertise to every tour and workshop.
With over 800 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, we’re proud to provide an unparalleled journey for photographers of all levels.
Whether you’re looking for a multi-day photography workshop, a personalized photo tour, or professional portrait sessions, our offerings are tailored to help you capture Venice at its best.
Explore more about us and our services:
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Simone Padovani – Dive into my world of photojournalism and visual storytelling.
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Stefano Mazzola – Explore Stefano’s captivating portfolio and expertise.
SIMONE PADOVANI
Contributor at Getty Images Reportage
European Union Climate Pact Ambassador
Teacher of Photovoice in Italian Universities
Child Human Right activist with Council of Europe
I am a professional photographer and educator based in Venice, Italy, with over 15 years of international experience. My work has been featured in prestigious publications such as National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC, and Forbes, including the February 2024 cover of National Geographic Italia for my photographic work on Murano. As a contributor for Getty Images, I have documented global events, cultural heritage, and critical social issues, earning recognition from the Council of Europe for my acclaimed project Shame - European Stories, in which I documented hundreds of victims of abuse as minors all ove europe since 2020.
I am an European Union Climate Pact Ambassador and I am developing several project about climate change and energy poverty.
Teaching is my way of sharing my passion for photography and my belief in its power to tell stories and create meaningful impact. For over a decade, I have been teaching photography and community psychology at leading institutions, including the University of Padua, of Rome and Naples, where I inspire students to harness the full potential of this medium.
Living and working in Venice, I offer hands-on courses and workshops designed to immerse participants in the city's timeless beauty while mastering essential photography skills and developing your personal photographic style.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, my courses are driven by a mission: to empower others to use photography as a tool for expression, creativity, and change.
I am specialized in workshops and courses, the aim is to learn the techniques and the photographic process to tell a visual story with your style, from the basic to advanced. I have leaded courses for Nikon School, in Universites and I can speak four languages: English, Spanish, Potuguese and Italian.
MY CLIENTS SPEAK
"The 4 hr dawn tour with Simone was great! Seeing the city before it wakes up was so fun. Simone's knowledge of both photography and the city is top notch! He brought along a tripod for me to borrow and filters for long exposures. I'll cherish the photos forever. Highly recommend." - Matthew H
"What a privilege to spend over three hours on the morning photo tour with Simone.
He collected us from our hotel at 7-30am. He spent a lot of time with our 15 year old daughter teaching her how to better use an SLR camera. Taking multiple shots at a single location helped to demonstrate how to improve each photo.
Simone is passionate about Venezia. We listened and learned about the many threats to this wonderful city contextualised in the frightening world of climate change.
We were taken off the tourist trail to wonderful peaceful locations
Simone happily shared tips on what to do and where to eat and drink to see the ‘real’ Venezia.
Please note that the photos are from my phone. The best ones remain on the SLR :).
Highly recommended" - Geoff K
STEFANO MAZZOLA
I have always loved photography: I enjoy telling stories about people, the events that happen, and the landscapes I see through the lens of my camera, capturing a smile, a glance, a gesture, a view.
Looking at a photo takes me back to the smells I experienced, the music I heard, the tastes I savored, the people I met, the emotions I felt.
My photographs have been exhibited for two years at the International Gallery of Modern Art Ca’ Pesaro in the permanent galleries.
I am a contributor to Getty Images, and my work has been published in international media outlets such as The Times, The Guardian, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Atlantic, El Pais, La Vanguardia, Bild, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet.
In short, photography is a true passion that I turned into a profession. It has taken me around the world, working with international agencies to capture the living, heartfelt moments of Italian traditions. From the Palio of Siena to the Palio dei Somari in Torrita di Siena, from the Krampus celebrations tied to Saint Nicholas' Day in South Tyrol and Friuli, to the transhumance (which Italy nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2018), and exploring ancient medieval villages for Airbnb—small jewels perched on hills or overlooking the sea.
In 2018, a reportage on the high tide in Venice earned me a front-page feature in The Times and La Vanguardia, and a place among the 104 most beautiful photos in the world selected by MSN (The Microsoft Network).
In 2023, I was interviewed by the BBC about overtourism in my city, offering advice on how to experience Venice at its best, avoiding the crowds.
I also tell the stories of a changing society with reports on events like the Milan Gay Pride, Tattoo Conventions, as well as major cultural events such as the Venice Biennale, the opening of major exhibitions, or literary events like Incroci di Civiltà or Il Campiello, not to mention popular traditions like the Venice Carnival and Christmas celebrations.
Through photography, I document the issues of our time, such as the depopulation of Venice, the impact of large cruise ships shaking the fragile Venetian lagoon, and the difficult realities, like the migrant crisis in Belgrade during the winter of 2017.
I love teaching in a fun and engaging way, making sure the client enjoys themselves and falls in love with my city through my eyes.
As Daniel Pennac writes in The Paradise of the Orcs: “I took photos. I photographed instead of talking. I photographed so I wouldn’t forget. So I wouldn’t stop looking.”
MY CLIENTS SPEAK
"This was a birthday gift to myself. Best ever! I had booked the tour for our first day in Venice. We started off early at 7 am to make use of the soft light and the empty streets and places and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Apart from being a great photographer, Stefano, a local Venetian, is knowledgable, attentive, humorous – simply a wonderful guy to explore the city with. He did not only teach us the best way how to capture Venice, giving us recommendations for composition etc., he was also full of interesting stories about each and every corner. Plus he had many recommendations for sights, restaurants and bars. This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip! And we are coming back for another one for sure. Grazie mille, for making my birthday so special!"
"This private walking photography tour with Stefano was amazing! My wife and I loved his personality, insight, composition ideas and his understanding of how best to capture his hometown. He's a teacher who knows his craft! He'll invest the time needed based on your level of experience to ensure that you capture beautiful images of Venice! I'm a professional photographer and Stefano was sharing insights and teaching me throughout the entire tour. If we ever go back, we will book another photography tour with Stefano! Highly recommended!"