Carnevale
Venice Carnevale
It has been a long dream of mine to visit Venice during Carnevale. Not to attend the balls, but to photograph the people and magic of the city. Arriving in Venice on my two month tour through Italy with only one week in Venice, I was elated upon arrival, late one night in the train station.
I jumped up and down and did the happy dance even with my heavy bags as I made my way to the hotel for the night. I had always loved Venice, the history and the romance of it all. I hoped it lived up to my expectations. I wanted to be up well before sunrise. I was too excited to sleep and slept for a few hours before the crack of dawn when the alarm went off. I made my way downstairs.
Fortunately, my hotel was only a five minute walk from San Marco’s Square. I Hurried to take what I thought were mere cityscape photos. I was pleasantly surprised to see many people in full costume posing already for photographers. I hurried into the mix and let me tell you, it was a mix.
Photographers were throwing elbows and tripod legs to get that one special shot. Luckily, there were plenty of people in costume to go around, and as the morning passed more and more people in costume arrived. The majority of the morning, the cloudy, light layer of fog and cool feeling added some pleasing drama to the background.
I had much respect for the people in costumes. Their costumes were beautiful and highly detailed. They were not cheap, they were heavy fabrics with other heavy pieces. They were highly detailed down to the smallest button or thread. They are also fully committed to their characters. They worked the camera, and knew how to pose and worked their costume. Many I had seen dressed well before sunrise and then also spotted late into the night, still deep into character.
Photographers, bring your business cards to handout to your models.
The tiny streets of Venice are packed full during Carnevale. Like sardines tight at times. Locals hate this time and tend to avoid it. People in elaborate costumes, that they have been working on since the year before, are wandering all over the city with photographers in toe. Most will happily pose for you if asked. This is my first time to Venice and I am quickly falling in love with this city. The small tiny streets. I had a few days in the city before Carnevale started as I wanted to experience the city before the chaos arrived. The architecture is beautiful, ornate and historic. The food is delicious, nona made, that makes your heart sing.. The city is unlike anywhere in the world. There is a reason it is so popular. Why Venice has made it to the top cities on my list.
