Fashion photography is a world where creativity meets commerce, and a few talented individuals manage to rise above the rest with a vision that’s all their own. Alice Rosati is one of those names—a photographer who’s made a lasting impact with her unique approach to capturing style and beauty. Her work stands out for its distinct look, blending color, composition, and storytelling in ways that feel both artistic and accessible. Over the years, she’s built a portfolio that’s caught the eye of major brands and magazines, earning her a spot among the industry’s most respected talents. In this post, we’ll explore what makes Rosati’s photography special, who she’s worked with, what inspires her, and how she’s shaped the field. Her journey is a fascinating mix of skill and imagination, and it’s worth taking a closer look at how she’s carved out her place in fashion photography.
The Making of a Photographer
Alice Rosati’s story starts in Milan, Italy, where she was born in 1985. Growing up in a city known for its fashion and design, she was surrounded by inspiration from an early age. While there’s not a ton of detail about her childhood, it’s easy to imagine how Milan’s vibrant streets—full of chic boutiques and stylish people—might have sparked her interest in visuals. She’s said in interviews that her dad gave her a camera when she was just four—a disposable one that stamped Ninja Turtles on every picture. That little gift kicked off a lifelong love for photography, even if she didn’t know it yet.
Her path to becoming a pro wasn’t a straight line. Rosati studied art history and criticism in college, which gave her a solid grounding in visual culture. It’s not hard to see how that background shaped her—she’s always approached photography with an artist’s eye, not just a technical one. After school, she moved to Greece for a while, following a boyfriend to Mykonos. It was an unusual choice, but it turned out to be a turning point. There, she stumbled into a vacant photo studio in Athens owned by a friend of her partner. With no formal training, she started experimenting, playing with light and ideas in a space that was all hers. That time in Greece was where she began finding her voice as an artist.
Back in Italy, she took her next big step by assisting Graziano Ferrari, a seasoned fashion show photographer. Working with him gave her a crash course in the fast-paced world of runway shoots and a chance to build a portfolio with top models. From there, she joined an artist management agency, and her career took off. By 2008, she was making a living with her camera, and her work started popping up in magazines like *Elle* and *Jalouse*. It was a gradual climb, but her mix of art smarts and hands-on learning set her up to stand out in a crowded field.
A Style All Her Own
What makes Alice Rosati’s photography so recognizable? It’s a combination of things—her use of color, the way she frames a shot, and the stories she tells through her images. She’s got a knack for creating photos that feel cinematic, almost like stills from a movie. Her work often leans on soft, continuous lighting—think cinema lights rather than harsh flashes—which gives her shots a warm, natural glow. I’ve seen her pictures in spreads like *Vogue Italia* or *Numéro*, and there’s this inviting quality to them, like you’re stepping into a scene instead of just looking at a posed model.
Color is a big part of her style too. She’s not afraid to play with bold hues—candy pinks, deep blacks—but she uses them in a way that feels balanced, not overwhelming. A shoot she did for *Grazia Germany* in Naples had these rich, vibrant tones that made the clothes pop against the city’s gritty backdrop. Then there’s her composition—she loves movement, catching models mid-step or with hair flowing, which adds a sense of energy. But she keeps the backgrounds simple, often just a plain wall or a natural setting, so the focus stays on the subject. It’s a clean look that’s both striking and easy to take in.
Her thematic focus is another standout. Rosati calls herself a “polyhedric artist,” meaning she’s all about exploring different angles of a story. Her photos aren’t just about showing off a dress—they’re about mood, character, even a bit of mystery. Take her *Contributor Magazine* shoot with Alana Zimmer—the model’s in sleek, structured outfits, but there’s a quiet intensity to the images, like she’s a judge or a spy. It’s that blend of fashion and narrative that makes Rosati’s work feel fresh and artistic, even when it’s for a commercial gig.
Collaborations with the Big Names
Rosati’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed—she’s worked with some of the biggest players in fashion. Her portfolio includes shoots for brands like Fendi, Schiaparelli, and Gucci, where she’s brought her signature style to their campaigns. One of my favorites is her “Lady Fendi” story for *Citizen K International*. Model Rose Smith was decked out in glamorous Fendi pieces, and Rosati shot her with this old-school elegance—think soft lighting and poised poses—that matched the brand’s vibe perfectly. It’s the kind of work that sells clothes while feeling like a piece of art.
Magazines have been a huge part of her career too. She’s a regular in titles like *Vogue Italia*, *Vogue Mexico*, *Vogue Russia*, and *Numéro Berlin*. Her editorial for *Vogue Ukraine* with Laure Bruno is a great example—moody, artistic, with a focus on textures and shadows that made the fashion stand out. She’s also shot for *Gioia* in Italy, capturing Sofya Titova in sunlit, ladylike looks, and *Grazia Germany*, where she paid tribute to Italian fashion houses in Naples. These spreads show how she adapts her vision to fit different vibes, whether it’s high glamour or casual chic.
She’s worked with talented teams too—stylists like Ally Macrae and Stefanie Miano have paired her photos with looks that complement her aesthetic. And while she’s not as tied to celebrity models as some photographers, her subjects—like Alana Zimmer or Stella Vaudran—bring a strong presence to her frames. Her ability to collaborate without losing her own touch is why brands and editors keep coming back.
Where She Finds Inspiration
Rosati’s creativity comes from a wide mix of sources, and it’s fun to see how they show up in her work. She’s a big sci-fi fan—Philip K. Dick’s books are a favorite—and that futuristic edge creeps into her photos sometimes. Her art history background plays a role too; she’s mentioned being inspired by masters like Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin, whose bold, storytelling shots echo in her own style. She’s also a movie buff, citing directors like Stanley Kubrick, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Federico Fellini as influences. You can feel that cinematic flair in her framing and lighting—it’s like she’s directing a scene, not just snapping a picture.
Personal experiences shape her too. Moving to Greece for love, living in Paris now—she’s said she moves for love, and that wanderlust shows up in her shoots. Her “Napoli per Sempre!” editorial for *Grazia Germany* feels like a love letter to Italy, while other projects, like a Monte Carlo shoot for *Gioia*, have this jet-set vibe. She’s also drawn to dreams and the subconscious, which might explain the surreal, dreamy quality in some of her work. It’s a rich stew of ideas—art, film, travel, imagination—and it keeps her photography unpredictable and exciting.
The Process Behind the Lens
Rosati’s final images are stunning, but what’s just as interesting is how she gets there. She’s big on preparation—before a shoot, she scouts locations, sketches ideas, and builds a mood board. She’ll work with her stylist to see pre-shots of the outfits, figuring out where to place certain looks and how to light them. She prefers continuous lighting over strobes, which lets her see the scene as she shoots, almost like a filmmaker. It’s a hands-on approach that ties back to her days in that Athens studio, experimenting with whatever she had.
She’s a fan of film photography too, often using her Mamiya 6x7 camera for editorial work. She’s not against digital—it’s fast and flexible—but she loves the texture and warmth of film, especially Polaroids. She’s got a Polaroid A110 with a Roedenstock lens that she adores, and you can see that retro vibe in some of her shots. On set, she keeps things calm and collaborative, working closely with makeup artists, stylists, and models to nail the vision. She’s said fashion photography is a team effort—one weak link, like bad styling, can throw off a great photo. That attention to detail is why her work looks so polished.
Shaping Fashion Photography
Rosati’s influence goes beyond pretty pictures—she’s helped push the industry in new directions. Back in the day, photographers like Newton and Bourdin turned fashion into art with innovative techniques, and Rosati’s picked up that torch. She’s part of a shift toward storytelling in fashion shoots—less about static poses, more about creating a world. Her cinematic style has inspired others to think beyond the clothes, blending narrative with style in a way that feels modern.
She’s also embraced the digital age without losing her roots. While Photoshop and digital cameras have made photography easier, she’s stuck to her film-inspired look, keeping things authentic in a world of heavy edits. Her work with brands like Schiaparelli—known for bold, artistic designs—shows how she can bridge high fashion with a personal touch. And her focus on movement and natural light has popped up in other photographers’ work too—it’s a subtle trend, but she’s helped nudge it along.
Personal Projects and Beyond
Outside her commercial gigs, Rosati’s personal projects reveal another side of her talent. One of her big ones is “I Am a Mermaid,” a photo book she released with KAHL Editions. It’s a five-year performance piece shot across three continents, where she poses as a golden-lamé-suited mermaid in everyday settings—car washes, swamps, beaches. She’s alone, naked under the suit, using self-portraits or strangers to snap the shots. It’s quirky, symbolic, and totally her—a look at femininity, freedom, and the absurdity of reality. The book launched with a solo show at Galerie Charraudeau in Paris, her first big exhibition, and it cemented her as more than just a fashion photographer.
She’s done other art projects too, mixing performance and photography since her early days. Her site hints at personal works that explore self-portraits and visual paradoxes, though details are sparse. These efforts show she’s not content to stay in one box—she sees herself as a visual artist first, using photography as her tool, like a painter uses oil. It’s a side of her that’s less about selling clothes and more about asking questions, and it adds depth to her commercial success.
A Lasting Presence
In the fast-moving world of fashion photography, Alice Rosati has carved out a space that’s uniquely hers. Her ability to mix art with the demands of brands and magazines sets her apart—she’s not just following trends; she’s shaping them. Based in Paris now, she keeps working with top publications and designers, delivering images that catch your eye and linger in your mind. Her style—those soft lights, bold colors, and cinematic scenes—feels timeless, even as the industry shifts around her.
What I love about Rosati is how she balances it all. She’s got the technical chops from years of learning, the creative spark from her influences, and the guts to try new things, like that mermaid project. Her career’s a reminder that fashion photography can be more than ads—it can tell stories, stir feelings, and push boundaries. For anyone starting out with a camera, she’s a great example of what’s possible when you blend passion with purpose.
Rosati’s journey isn’t over—she’s still shooting, still exploring, still inspiring. Whether she’s framing a couture gown or a thrift-store find, she brings the same care and vision. Her work makes you think about beauty, identity, and the worlds we build with images. If you haven’t checked her out yet, dig into her editorials or track down “I Am a Mermaid”—it’s a window into a mind that’s always creating. Alice Rosati’s a name worth knowing, and her photos are proof of why.
