What is photography for you? A sort of research, a path of discovery, of trying to find an order to things?
Mario Sorrenti: Photography is
Gray Sorrenti: It’s all of those things. Growing up I was scattered and wild as a little kid should be. When I began to take pictures I found a sense of order in my life that I had never felt before. A quietness. The discipline and beauty it has brought to my life is something I will always be grateful for. Photography is my form of research and also my way of expressing myself. It’s what educates me and what expands my horizons. I’m constantly discovering different ways of life, meeting new people and learning new things. I want to take in as much knowledge as possible. Taking pictures shapes who I am and pushes me forward as an individual.
Popeline compact shirt, Prada.
© Gray Sorrenti
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt from your daughter?
MS: It has been a gift to see Gray take pictures and to see her feel that same passion that I felt at her age. She has reminded me of what it was like to see images for the first time, and the beautiful freedom that is inherent with each beginning. She makes me want to be my best self.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt from your father?
GS: My father teaches me how to be calm and collected, how to be a respectful human being on this planet, and to love the way I would want to be loved. He’s my dad! He’s my biggest inspiration. He is someone I will always look up to.
What’s the best advice you’ve given each other?
MS: She doesn’t really give me advice, but in her instinctive and unfiltered way she just tells me when something is cool or is shit.
GS: He’s always giving me advice. Every day I learn something new from him. I don’t necessarily give my dad advice but we have very fruitful discussions about life, love, work, lighting, growing up, cameras, etc. He always has my back and I love talking to him about my boy problems.
Cashmere turtleneck, Brora. Gray Sorrenti wears her own clothes.
© Gray Sorrenti
When did you first develop an interest in photography and why?
MS: I first became interested in photography when I was 18. It was purely by chance. At the time I was aspiring to be a painter and a sculptor. Through my father I met a friend who was studying photography at school, and she had a darkroom in her apartment. We spent an evening taking pictures, processing the film and then printing in her darkroom. And that was it. When I saw my first image appear in the processing fluid, I was hooked. From that day on, it’s all I’ve wanted to do.
GS: Some people say that when you’re born or when you die you may see a bright light. The second I came into this world, I quite literally think I saw this light. My little eyes eventually adjusted to this flash. My dad took endless amounts of photos of my brother, my mother and I. We’ve all experienced this flash of light for as long as we can remember. I’ve grown up hanging around my dad’s sets, causing trouble, sneaking into the shots, messing around with the clothes, make-up and hair extensions. My dad gave me my first camera on my 13th birthday, opening up my curiosity for photography. I had always been a part of the good chaos, magic and overall big picture of a shoot, but never one-on-one with my own eyes looking through the camera. Even though photography was a part of my everyday life, I had never experienced it on my own. I set out with my Pentax, discovering the secrets of what the cam- era had to offer me, and I loved everything about it.
When you’re portraying other people, do you also discover something about yourself?
MS: Yes, always!
GS: Every time I take a picture I discover something new.
(Continues)
Fashion credits:
Photographs by Gray Sorrenti
Styled by Haley Wollens
Styling assistant Daniel Gaines