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Inside the Studio: Donna Carnahan
- Art Dealer Street
- Jun 10
- 3 min read
In a world that often races past fleeting beauty, photographer Donna Carnahan invites us to pause, reflect, and immerse ourselves in moments of profound serenity. A seasoned traveler and passionate visual storyteller, Donna's work is rooted in a deep reverence for nature, history, and the subtle poetics of light. Having visited Italy over a dozen times, her photographs resonate with both classical harmony and contemporary emotion, capturing scenes that evoke nostalgia, balance, and timeless grace. In this interview, Donna shares the stories behind her lens, offering a glimpse into her artistic journey, the philosophies that guide her creative process, and what lies ahead in her ever-evolving path.
Read on to learn more in an exclusive interview with Donna Carnahan :
1. Your photography beautifully captures landscapes and moments of serenity. How do you choose the locations and subjects that resonate with you?
Thank you very much. I have traveled to Italy 14 times now. When I see a moment that could be frozen in time, I am usually on foot and find something that strikes me as very beautiful, at a moment of perfect lighting and composition.
2. In your "Land Escape" series, you delve into the interplay between nature and human presence. What inspired this exploration?
Inspired by the natural surroundings of the Amalfi Coast, I was on a hike and found the 1,000-year-old ruins of a papermill that was powered by water in the Valle delle Ferriere. The nature preserve was guarded and required a permit. In "Ancient Arch" I wish to express the lack of human presence in the scene, as the prehistoric moss reclaimed the Roman Arc.
3. You often incorporate elements of Renaissance art and Italian landscapes into your photography. How do these influences manifest in your compositions?
Much like the harmonious balance found in works by Raphael or Botticelli, I place subjects—whether architecture, landscapes, or figures—in compositions that feel symmetrical or intentionally weighted, guiding attention while maintaining calm.
4. Can you share a memorable experience from one of your exhibitions that had a significant impact on you as an artist?
I experienced a deep connection with the patrons at the XIII Florence Biennale Art + Design exhibition in 2021. Because it was held during the pandemic, I spoke Italian through my mask and everyone was eager to hear my story, having traveled from the United States.
5. How do you approach post-processing in your photography? What role does editing play in conveying the mood and message of your images?
Post-processing is where I spend more time, by editing the brilliance and light to make my photographs evoke a sense of adventure.
6. Your work often evokes a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. How do you achieve this effect through your choice of subjects and techniques?
Nostalgia and timelessness are recurring themes in my Italian photographs. I seek out the scenes that lend themselves to the themes, like the "Tuscan Red Fiat" where I turned the 900-year-old cathedral in San Miniato into black and white and kept the red Fiat as it was.
7. What challenges do you face when photographing natural landscapes, and how do you overcome them to capture the essence of the scene?
Lighting is a challenge when photographing landscapes when the sun is on top of me. I overcame this brightness by placing an object, like a tree, in front of the sunlight. Then I create my composition and thereby hide the harshness of the rays.
8. Looking forward, are there any new themes or projects you're eager to explore in your photography?
Last year I traveled to Greece for the first time and spent two weeks exploring Athens, the Aegean Sea and the Greek Isles. Soon I will be curating and editing my images to create a new collection.
Donna Carnahan's lens doesn't just capture images; it captures emotions, memories, and entire narratives shaped by time, light, and place. Her photography offers a sanctuary of calm in a restless world, pulling the viewer into scenes that feel both personal and universal. As she sets her sights on new horizons, like the ancient splendors of Greece, one thing remains constant in her work: an unwavering devotion to beauty, story, and soul. Her images are not only reflections of the world she sees but invitations for all of us to slow down and truly see the world. As her journey unfolds, we can only look forward to the next frame she chooses to immortalize.
You can learn more about Donna Carnahan and her work via these links: Website: https://ladonnafoto.com/ Instagram: @ladonnafoto Facebook: @LaDonnaFoto LinkedIn: Donna Carnahan
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