READING TIME: 5 min 0 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/2024
UPDATED: 10/03/2024
Pia Photo & Film is the creative brainchild of Pia Bacino whose life reads like a tapestry woven from a rich palette of cultures and experiences. Born in Mexico to Italian and Spanish parents who had settled in Uruguay, their journey took a pivotal turn at the age of twelve when the family relocated to New Zealand. This mosaic of cultural heritages instilled in them a profound sense of belonging to the world—an intrinsic part of their identity that shapes their creative vision to this day.
"Being somewhat a citizen of the world has shaped me creatively," she often says, a statement that reflects her deep connection to the diverse influences that have sculpted her artistic perspective. It was this background that fueled her passion for capturing memories. "I adore to capture memories, to be reminded of all the beautiful moments in my life," she explains.
Pia’s journey into photography began whimsically at the age of eight with a simple film camera—a gift that sparked a lifelong passion. This early start laid the foundation for what would eventually become a professional pursuit in wedding photography, a career she embarked on three years ago.
But her path wasn’t straightforward; before photography claimed Pia’s full attention, she dabbled in graphic design, illustration, and even aviation—another great love of hers. "I was a graphic designer & illustrator, commercial videographer, brand consultant for non-profits, a marketing exec, and also became a pilot. Aviation is my second love!" she reveals, drawing a parallel between the vast skies and the depth of human emotions she captures through her lens.
Pia describes her photographic style as deeply personal and profoundly narrative. "My art style is definitely rooted in my love for memory & capturing the soul of the moment," she explains. Her approach combines soulful documentary and artful editorial techniques, aiming to capture not just the events but the emotions and unspoken stories behind them.
"I am constantly asking myself what the story is and how I can capture it deeper than what meets the eye - the small details, glances, and hidden moments. Capturing not just the moment as it is but as it felt is what influences my approach to be a blend of soulful documentary and artful editorial. Having grown up with a lot of real-life cultural experiences, surrounded by nature as well as art, fashion, and movies, I love how these worlds interject and I can artfully tell a real story, stay true to the moment and still create little masterpieces in each frame," she says.
Her choice of equipment is as varied as her background, incorporating both modern and nostalgic elements. She uses 35mm and medium format film cameras from Pentax, Canon, and Mamiya, alongside Canon Super8 cameras and Sony Mirrorless digital setups. "I use a whole range of mediums as I'm obsessed with how each equipment can help tell a story differently," she notes.
Her post-processing work aims to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the original moment, inspired by the enduring appeal of classic film stocks and old movies. "Part of my ode to staying true to memory and creating time machines that can transport you back to the moment, is keeping true to colour. My post-processing is inspired by old movies and film stocks that are still pleasing to the eye today, those colours don't go out of trend and won't be bizarre to look at 40 years from now. I rely on the real colours of nature and edit to enhance these and what the moment really felt like," she elaborates.
For Pia, photography is more than capturing images; it's about building relationships and accompanying her clients on their journey to and through their wedding day. "I love how being a wedding photographer is a journey I go on with my couples. I'm given access to the most special, vulnerable spaces and I'm so grateful for that," she reflects.
Her role extends beyond photography, fostering relationships that often evolve into friendships. "Some of my closest friends are couples I photographed and so, the journey, the friendships, the going through of 1-2 years of ups and downs together, the sharing of ideas, the coffee catchups and then, the celebration after their big day when they welcome a little bundle of joy, move countries or change careers. I love how it's such a personal service and I get to have front row seat to the magic, being their guide & friend through the process," she admits, illustrating the deep personal connections that her work engenders.
Pia takes a personalized approach to working with her clients, aiming to deeply understand their needs and dreams for their big day. "Every person is so different and that's why I love what I do! I love to meet my couples, help guide them through the planning process & bring about a great team of planners and vendors around them so they can not only enjoy their wedding celebrations but also their engagement time," she explains. This bespoke approach allows her to craft weddings that are as unique as the couples themselves, providing a comfortable range of 20-30 weddings per year to ensure each one receives the attention it deserves.
"Yes! 100%. All of my packages are custom-built. I'm a firm believer no wedding is the same so I tailor each one depending what the couple wants and needs," she states about her flexibility in creating custom packages.
Her strategic involvement in planning helps couples prepare for their day in the most personalized way possible, advising them to "truly enjoy the moment," as this enhances the authenticity and beauty of the memories captured.
She continues, “During the planning, alongside your planner and vendors, I'm so passionate about making sure you feel so proud of your day and your plans, that you're happy with the flow of your day and all your guests are being looked after. Planning your timeline custom to you with room to actually be candid and without the need to follow a traditional standard, is the biggest hack of all wedding planning in my opinion. Then, as the day arrives, it will have surprises of its own and this is all part of the beautiful adventure. These things will be outside of your control and experiencing them wholeheartedly will make up the collection of your cherished memories to look back on forever. Being present is the biggest gift you can give yourself, each other and your guests - plus! your photographs will be stunning as they're effortless, authentic and candidly represent each moment & how you felt.”
Pia's love for travel and culture makes destination weddings a perfect fit for her style and personal interests. "I adore travel, culture and helping my couples plan their wedding in a whole new place they've always dreamed of. I am based half the year in New Zealand and half the year in London and have had the absolute honour to capture weddings all over Europe, USA & the Pacific," she states. With favorite destinations like France, New York, and the Amalfi Coast, and dream locations in Greece and Scotland, she brings a global perspective to each event.
In every aspect of her work, Pia stands out as a photographer who does more than document a day—she captures the essence of life's most fleeting moments and transforms them into lasting memories.
