Camilla Mecagni

Imagine watching a blackbird as it gathers and builds its nest. The logic behind its collecting appears mysterious, an instinctive rationale unknown to us. A well-worn chef’s apron, the embellishment of cowrie shells on a bridal bodice, the elegant cadence of a black velvet fascinator, and the halo of mesh that cocoons a pregnant body: these are our twigs, bark, and mud. Gathering these bizarre objects around us, we stride out into the world, protected, each one a talisman to some unformed self. With an acute sensitivity to this cryptic language—the hidden workings of semiotics—Mecagni unravels the complex personalities, ideas, places, and ambitions signified within. Subjects are recognised and portrayed with nuance and insight, the frame becoming a place in which diverse realities co-exist, rising for a moment to be glimpsed upon the image surface. Often flowering in the thick of urban landscapes—namely New York and Milan, the two cities Mecagni calls home—photographs are enriched through creative collaboration, shining their light upon culture: the fusion of individuals, designers, and objects that texture each place. With an adaptive practice able to move fluidly between analogue and digital, public and private spheres: Mecagni’s confident presence is nevertheless always felt, her camera autonomous as it holds itself steadily within a crowd. It is the same discerning eyes that stare back at us in her Not so Nude self-portrait, a figure on horseback dressed in flesh-coloured underwear, pantyhose and black riding boots. Through the strategic concealment of her body, Mecagni subversively becomes an active presence, the observer who leaves us exposed.  

After having grown up in Washington, D.C., Mecagni chose to study Art History and Photography in Florence. In 2018, she graduated with magna cum laude from Marist College, Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici. Since her bachelors degree, the fine arts have continued to hold importance for Mecagni with formative experiences including roles at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian. Such education has well prepared her for supporting clients in the art world, comprising a host of galleries and exhibitions from Fondazione Prada to covering the Dan Flavin exhibition at Cardi Gallery. In addition to this, Mecagni has exhibited her own artistic works internationally. 

Despite her impressive experience in this field, Mecagni’s true motivation and skill lies within fashion. Day-to-day she works as a freelance fashion photographer and, following their collaboration on a series of successful events, is now represented by BFA, a global leader in event photography. Likewise, Mecagni works repeatedly with the advertising agency Karla Otto, having now completed multiple fashion seasons at their side. This ever-growing portfolio led Mecagni to being picked up by Hugo Boss, specifically for their 2022 #BeYourOwnBoss campaign, which produced an exciting opportunity to assist acclaimed New York Times photographer Gio Staiano on location in the Al Faya Desert in Dubai. Such a diverse array of experiences highlight just how well Mecagni handles different situations on-site, whilst simultaneously demonstrating her proficiency in social media management and the various post-production editing suites. Although her list of experiences is global, in line with her heritage, Mecagni works largely in North America and Italy. Her photography covers the many facets of the industry—from capturing influential figures such as Tamu McPherson; to publishing in essential magazines like Vogue Italia and Nylon; to her extensive portfolio for clients that include both iconic fashion houses—among others Prada, Etro, and Missoni—and e-commerce platforms like MODES and LuisaViaRoma. With over ten years experience in both digital and darkroom photography, Mecagni has established herself as an adaptable, informed and perceptive individual, an identity that comes across resolutely in a practice she continues to develop, challenge and evolve. 

Camilla Mecagni is an Italo-American photographer currently based in Brooklyn, New York City. She is presently completing her MFA in Photography at Parsons School of Design, from which she will graduate later this year, 2023.