Conversations with Chiara Salomoni

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chiara Salomoni.

Hi Chiara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Italy in a little town by the mountains and a beautiful lake that sadly gets extremely cold in the winter and it’s pretty empty during the summer. I spent my childhood surrounded by nature and exploring the sea all over Europe whenever we had time off from school. 

I pursued artistic studies starting in high school, and after university, it became clear that life underwater was all I wanted. From studying fine art and painting, I moved to the US  to study photography at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California which was the only school in the world that offered underwater photography at the time. There I learned everything about photography starting from the basics to specializing in underwater photography, portraits, and wildlife while exploring the ocean and deserts to satisfy my need to get lost in nature. 

While still in school, I got involved in the conservation world, making it my mission to shine a light on different issues affecting the planet and especially the ocean. I started traveling again, diving and shooting underwater portraits all over the world. In Hawaii my obsession for sharks turned into a full and beautiful career and I now leas small groups of passionate people on trips allover the world making underwater photography a community and not just a job.

I dedicated my existence to art, photography, and nature. With my photography, I aspire to open a little window on the beautiful wild planet we live on and inspire respect and love for every creature and ecosystem.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life as an artist has a lot of bumps in the road but it adds to the experience in my opinion.

Creativity is a journey you create alongside life and its different phases. A failed business in the mermaid photography world gave me the courage to move to Hawaii and become a shark photographer. It gave me a new job, some incredible professional skills, and some of the best years of my life. The arrival of my baby boy last october encouraged me to move back to the mainland and start leading small groups on photography expeditions around the world so I would have the chance to still live my career and spend time with my family. So I wouldn’t say I’ve ever struggled with the majority of my career but reinventing yourself takes time and energy.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although I specialize in a very small niece of photography I’m split between worlds. My work on sharks and my portrait work.

The way I choose to intentionally light all of my subjects is one of my strengths, no matter the subject light is a decision, whether i find it or add it. The world I can create with my underwater portraits is what sets me apart from others along with the comfort and experience working with sharks and snakes.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
The list of people that deserve credit is long. I have a mentor, Ralph Clevenger. I moved to the US to learn from him. I was a student of his and to this day he’s the professional I turn to for questions and critiques.

For my portrait work, I couldn’t have made it in my career without working with so many other talented artists, in particular couture designer Ten Morrow, and make up artists Jayme Kavanaugh and Barbie Laurino. Not only they added their fine art to my photography but they became good friends and a real dream team.

For my wildlife work, every person that had my back in the water with the sharks and Cressi that supported me with the best gear since day one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chiarasalomoni.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiaraphoto/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChiaraSalomoniPhotography/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chiaraphoto
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chiara.photo

Image Credits
Sammy Falgiani
Becca
Kayleigh Grant
Taylor Cunningham
Justin Lutsky
Andy Fragola