Gianluigi Merisio, one of the most celebrated locals at the Venice Carnevale.
As with most locals, they prefer painted faces over full masked costumes.
For the Venice Carnevale 2023, Gianlugi came dressed as a Venetian toy figure, similar to the plastic ones commonly sold to tourists as souvenirs.
From Carnival masks, Murano glass, Burano lace, Marbled paper and stationary, and the vast offerings of fine fashion, leather products and antiques, Venice is one of the world's best shopping destinations.
Much of the series is done when Gianluigi came to visit me at the Mystery Hotel.
The series is presented in black and white to give it a more classical feel...
This is the real Venice Carnevale with the locals, not your usual run of the mill Venice Carnevale workshop photos.
Many locals feel they don’t necessarily need to go back in time with full masks or big Marie Antoinette-style dresses and heavy, powdered wigs.
To them, making their own costumes is much more meaningful.
To them, the Carnevale is about fun, colours and creativity, and of course meeting up with family and friends and having a good time together.
As with their fully masked counterparts from the neighbouring countries of France, Germany, Austria, Belgium etc, all the best costumes are fully homemade ones, usually created together by small groups of family and friends.
For me, some of my best travel souvenirs are my travel photos, especially the ones that win multiple awards worldwide and appear on billboards. These kind of souvenirs and memories are made with love and are very special for me and my friends that I meet on my travels.