1-1 with Top Italy Wedding Photographer JoAnne Dunn

We go behind the camera with one of Italy’s best photographers - JoAnne Dunn

JoAnne Dunn is an internationally recognised, award-winning photographer and without question one of Italy's finest because of her unique approach: it’s all about you. Having worked first-hand with JoAnne personally and also with many of my wonderful brides and grooms in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, I know how important it is for a wedding photographer to make a true connection with a couple. JoAnne always goes to extraordinary lengths to get to know our clients, to understand their style and working in this way she is always able to deliver the most breath-taking and sensational wedding photographs I have seen, exceeding all prior expectations. My couples are usually just blown away by her work, style and creativity, as am I.

I was absolutely thrilled that JoAnne accepted my invitation to feature on the blog, as with her many years of experience in shooting some of the most high-end weddings on the Amalfi Coast, I had so many questions that I couldn’t wait for her to answer.

I hope you all enjoy reading the answers as much as I enjoyed asking the questions.

Victoria x

Who is JoAnne Barbara Dunn?

I am South African, a photographer and above all a ‘mamma’ and I live in paradise in Ravello.

But let’s just say that I’m still trying to work this one out, I’ll have to get back to you, it might take a while!

How would you describe yourself and your style?

Deary me, this is another hard one! If I tell the truth here no one will hire me. But the truth is always the best answer, even if you sound like a complete lunatic! I have no idea on how to describe my style either but the two are interlinked.

You see, I have this crazy person living inside of me and she only comes out when I pick up the camera or do something creative. She is a complete lunatic, I find her so embarrassing but she does the pictures. Her ideas are often so ‘off the wall’ that my hair even changes when she takes over.

I often find myself wondering what the hell she is up to as I listen to her speak, but then her photography surprises the hell out of me, so I have learnt to let her do her thing.

My style depends on the project and the client, I don’t believe in sticking to just one way of doing things. Clients have different tastes and having survived nearly twenty years in this competitive industry, I have learnt that it’s important to have the skills to be able to appeal to a variety of clients and cultures.

Where did your love of photography stem from?

I went to the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg in South Africa in the eighties and fell in love in the dark room.

Who or what inspires you?

Italians, Vogue, vintage movies, directors like David Lynch, photographers like David LaChapelle, designers like Vivienne Westwood and flowers. But mostly everything Italian from fashion to films… food and gardens, I just adore the Italian style.

What do you love most about working (and living) on the Amalfi Coast?

Besides the gorgeous landscape with it’s incredible views and architecture, it’s the people with their attitude to art and nature.

There is a tribe of folks who are living in harmony with the land and her ways. Their ways of living here have changed very little over hundreds of years: farmers, shepherds and fishermen. Many of them are fine musicians and there is a great tradition of folk music. I believe them to be the original hippies and they have these wonderful parties. At these parties they play folk music, serve wine they have made and the tables are filled with feasts made from their labours.

There are painters, jewellery makers, potters, writers and of course there are many professional musicians. Ravello’s history is peppered with creative people like D.H. Lawrence, Gore Vidal and Wagner.

But of all these fairy folk perhaps the character which is most dear to my heart would be that of an Italian Mamma. I study them closely since it is my dream to age into becoming an authentic Italian Mamma. I have an Italian Mamma and she has not only taught me how to cook, but also how to be brave, to argue and to love. There are few greater pleasures than seeing the people you love united around a table enjoying the meal you prepared. I would love my son to drive my future daughter in law insane with tales of my cooking!

One of my absolute favourite parts of Ravello is that all of these people mix and socialise together. In the summer famous American actors can be found playing chess with the shepherds. Many famous people visit Ravello because the locals remain quite indifferent to their fame and quite possibly some do not even know who they are.

In Italy, sensitivity and emotion are not shameful. I enjoy that one can be one’s self. I love that arguments are not so serious and even after a raging storm of an argument there will be a warm hug with tears. I love the passion, I love the long moans which can almost turn into sad love songs. I now found it most appropriate and comfortable to argue in Italian or even speak sweetly to a baby in Italian (for example). Italian comes with accessories… hand and mouth and even body movements… you can just say so much more and have so much more fun doing so.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

To shoot Sarina and Roger Taylor’s wedding.

any funny/crazy stories you can tell us?

That would be a novel, it’s been twenty years and we always joke I could write a TV series with all the wedding adventures. Episodes would include a bride trying to make out with one of my photographers, a groom running away the day before and trying to return the day of the wedding, a bride who took off all her clothes at the end of the night and divorced parents who got back together on the day of the wedding.

Any secrets?

Cannot tell you those or they wouldn’t be secrets.

And favourite locations?

My lavender garden in the mountains in Torello. I live 200 stairs from the closest road in what can only be described as a tower. This tower was a water reservoir for the chapel next door. I don’t have a car or a television but I have a field of lavender and a little vegetable garden. Sometimes it feels like I am living in a history of art lesson or an 18th century painting.

What do you think makes you so successful?

I know how to take very flattering portraits while making girls giggle… am I successful? If I surprise my lovely ladies with a portrait and I make them giggle, that is success to me.

Who in the wedding industry do you love to work with?

Eloping brides and Victoria. I am so flattered thank you :)

what do too many brides do that drives you crazy?

Phones ruin wedding photography, they look hideous and take up so much of our time and they are a terrible distraction. At the very least phones should be kept out of the ceremony, they are down right tacky!

Being late is the quickest way to spoil your day and damage your wedding photography. You will spend the rest of the day rushing to try and catch up and be super stressed. The more time you give your photographer, the better your pictures will be. If you are late photography time automatically gets cut.

What advice would you share with brides and grooms on how to ensure they get the best from you?

Give me the time and cooperation I need to do a good job. I just want you to look amazing in your pictures and have a fabulous day. I have done so many weddings and I can take good care of you, but it’s a dance we need to do together.

Finally, how do you see our industry moving forward post Covid-19?

I have no idea. Fingers crossed,

Thank you to JoAnne for giving us such a wonderful insight into her life, life in Ravello and the Amalfi Coast in general, the wonderful and crazy world of weddings and her unique stories.

For those of you looking for the best in photography for your wedding on the Amalfi Coast here is JoAnne’s webpage www.joannedunn.it

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