Next Chapter, with Letizia.
in London
Letizia Grandolfi
In July 2023, I closed Daniel Grandolfi Photography and my studio in Milan.
Closing the business did not mean closing the experience, the knowledge or the passion that had been built over those years.
Photography taught me something I consider fundamental: the experience always comes first.
Whether working with an individual or with a company and its people, the quality of the final image begins with the experience created around it — the way people feel, the confidence they gain, the direction they receive, the attention to detail and the trust established during the process.
Skill matters. Technique matters. Experience matters. But the photograph is the result of all of them working together.
The wonderful reviews we received during those years remain particularly meaningful to me because they recognised not only the quality of the images, but also the professionalism, artistic skill and experience of working together.
In December 2023, I moved to the United Kingdom and began a new professional chapter in engineering. Today, I work as a Lead Engineer at Aston Martin.
Photography, however, was not left behind.
The experience, knowledge and passion developed during my years in Milan continue in London through Letizia Grandolfi, work and life partner, and Grandolfi Portraits & Fashion London.
Nothing was lost. The story simply entered a new chapter.
Milan Photography Chapter
2016-2023
Daniele Grandolfi
Art and Technique
I was born in Milan in 1975, to a Tuscan father and a Milanese mother. Perhaps that is where the combination began: a life somewhere between Art and Technique, Creativity and Efficiency.
My professional path has always moved between these worlds. Engineering taught me how to understand complex systems, solve problems and turn ideas into reality. Entrepreneurship taught me independence, responsibility and the importance of creating something of my own. Photography became the medium through which my technical discipline and artistic vision could meet.
I am a self-taught photographer and a passionate student of photographic history and technique. Among the photographers who have influenced my vision are Irving Penn, Albert Watson and David LaChapelle. Light has always been central to my way of working: I do not simply record what is in front of the camera; I use light, technique and direction to create a visual interpretation.
During my photography years in Milan, my work was exhibited in the Contemporary Art exhibition ‘Made in Italy, Ricominciamo da qui‘, alongside work by Italian fashion photographers including Giovanni Gastel, Andrea Varani and Efrem Raimondi.
Daniel
ART
Photo
MILAN
Grandolfi Photography Vison
Photography is Art
‘I see Art and Photography as forms of human expression that can elevate us. Photography gives me the possibility of creating another visual world — one shaped by light, imagination and intention.’
The Light, the Reality, the Artistic Vision.
‘From reality, the photographer imagines a vision that is not yet there — and creates it with light, technique and imagination. This is where photography becomes art.’
The Hero.
‘I want to make clear who or what the Hero of an image is. It may be my artistic vision, the person in front of the camera, the clothing in a fashion photograph, or the purpose for which an image has been commissioned. Whatever the subject, the photographer’s style must remain authentic.’.
Engineering — Where Art and Technique First Met
Project Engineer at Ferrari Auto, Maranello, Italy
Long before photography became my profession, engineering was already teaching me how creativity and precision could work together.
At Ferrari in Maranello, I worked as a Project Engineer on some of the company’s extraordinary automotive projects. Working alongside highly experienced engineers and project managers taught me not only technical discipline, but also leadership, teamwork and the responsibility of turning complex ideas into reality.
Looking back, I can see that this was already part of the same journey: combining imagination with technique.
Discover more in my Linkedin profile!
Entrepreneurship — Building a Life of My Own
After engineering, I wanted to build something of my own.
In Tuscany, I took on an ambitious entrepreneurial project: the renovation and development of a historic farmhouse. I directed the renovation and designed the refurbishment, bringing together project management, engineering knowledge and a growing passion for creativity and visual communication.
I also took responsibility for the property’s branding and communication, including photography, web design and development, graphic design, multimedia, bookings, sales, social marketing and PPC campaigns.
It was an important chapter because it brought together many of the skills that would later become fundamental to my photography business.
‘It was the start of everything…’
Testimonials
Maria Cristina Brandini
And one day, I get overwhelmed by a hurricane of words, enthusiasm, emotions, dreams, goals, projects, and the joy of living. Daniel is all this and much more.
But the thing that struck me, most of all, is his being madly in love with Letizia, the beautiful wife, and Gaia, his lovely little girl. You believe that a trained and good engineer is “square” and rational. Certainly, it will be this Daniel, but what I perceived is his floating on high waves of LOVE, then of feelings…. the leitmotif that accompanies him in everything he creates and especially in what he will achieve in the future.
He wanted to give me only a few photographs, for me amazing, considering them iconic and representative of his work, as eclectic as it is.. Shots full of color, even if in b/n, loads of positive energy and good movement even where there are static poses. Innovative and dynamic images, respecting good taste and elegance. Beautiful body painting series. But we will find it again at the October Exhibition “Made in Italy…. Let’s start from here!” that I will exhibit at the Silk Museum of Como. Actually, I had no more walls available, the cast of 7 photographers was complete, but I tried absolutely a solution to be able to offer my audience just a taste of the wonderful images of Daniel. And so it will be!
I am sure that Daniel will have more and more success both in Italy and in America, his secret dream that I reveal in preview! Because he believes and above all his engine does not go to gasoline but goes to Love, and this opens all the caskets more all the most precious caskets and realizes dreams and miracles.Good luck to all, Daniel.
Automatically translated from Italian.Curatrice di mostre fotografiche
Maria Cristina Brandini
Nicola Quagliarella
‘I had to set the backdrop for her photo shoot… That night I looked in his studio…as soon as he saw me, he exploded with his particular smile and said: YOUR FACE!… I HAVE TO PHOTOGRAPH!
That meeting was alchemical! A friendship and professional esteem were born! Daniel is a spontaneous person, genuine, true; a smiling artist, proactive, perennially creative, inventive, and simple; in addition to being a disruptive personality to the point that with him you always feel alive, participates on every topic, is in continuous movement, always evolving but at the same time you feel in a pleasant atmosphere, jovial.
When I look at his works, I see in them the mirror of his artistic and human personality; works full of flashes of light, tonal changes, sudden aesthetic solutions, a varied, multiple tastes; works that tell with brushstrokes of light the subject; wrapped with sharp and vigorous solutions almost monumental; sometimes those works are played with light or dazzling sheets of colors…;His formal compositions are cleverly organized and, at the same time, playful.
I find in Daniel a man- an artist who loves what he does and does it lightly, and at the same time, inside his photography, there is rigor.I have always been fascinated by his cheerfulness and spontaneity…
He is a child who plays seriously with his art creating images full of light colors and lines that have a certain musicality as a whole…I find…. of sublime beauty.
And as Prince Miskin said in Dostoyevsky’s Idiot :BEAUTY WILL SAVE THE WORLD.
Daniel started a long time ago.
Thank you’Automatically translated from Italian.
Artist, World
Nicola Quagliarella
Marco Brianzoli
“I got to know Daniel professionally following the event held in Como on the occasion of the exhibition…
I discovered an uncommon talent, accompanied by expertise and technical ability, and managerial.
Therefore, I decided to entrust him with the realization of some shots that I had planned to commit to a professional.The shots that came out are now part of my professional image and not.
Some are for me so restorative of the image that I have, or that I would like of me, that recognizing it is more than a pleasure!”
Automatically translated from Italian.Architect, Milano
Marco Brianzoli
Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui
‘A great professional with excellent artistic skills, it was a pleasure to collaborate with Daniel.
If you want to achieve an extraordinary result, he is the right person’
Automatically translated from Italian.Fondatore e Amministratore di View Point Strategy, Roma, comunicazione e PR
Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui