Marianna Zampieri's feline magic: Venice's ‘Catographer’

In the world of photography, there are many specializations, but few are as fascinating and peculiar as that of Marianna Zampieri, an Italian photographer who has chosen to dedicate her talent exclusively to cats. With the term she coined, “Catographer,” Zampieri best expresses her mission: not just to photograph cats, but to do so with passion, respect, and love for these extraordinary animals.

One of his most captivating shots, “The Rounds on the Rooftops of Venice,” embodies the essence of his style. Taken with a Sony ILCE 7, using a 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 lens at ISO 2000, 28mm, 1/250 sec, and an f/9 aperture, this image immortalizes a moment of perfect harmony between two feline sisters, Luna and Tempesta, as they perform their usual rounds on the rooftops of Venice. The setting is unique: the view from the Venetian apartment overlooks the charming Campo San Trovaso, with a view of the Giudecca Canal. The beauty of the shot lies precisely in the perfect synchrony of the two cats and in the unmistakable Venetian scenery, made even more evocative by the exclusive use of black and white, a distinctive feature of Zampieri's work.

Cats in Venice: An Eight-Year Project

“La Ronda sui tetti di Venezia” is part of “Cats in Venice,” a project that Marianna Zampieri has been working on for about eight years. Through photography and storytelling, she documents the lives of Venetian cats, gathering information about their stories and creating a unique visual and documentary archive. This dedication has allowed her to publish three books, also translated into English, with a fourth one coming soon. Her work is not only a tribute to cats but also a valuable contribution to the historical memory of the city and its feline inhabitants.

Photography as a language of respect and observation

Photographing cats is no simple task. These animals are notoriously independent and unpredictable, which requires a great deal of patience and discretion. Marianna Zampieri has honed a method that centers on respect: every shot is taken at the times and in the ways decided by the cats themselves, without any forcing or intrusion.

His goal is to portray felines in their authenticity, free to be themselves, immersed in the urban environment or in other work contexts, as shown by some of his other projects. The choice of black and white, in addition to giving the images a sense of elegance and timelessness, helps to focus on the subjects' expressions, movements, and personalities.

The art of storytelling through images

Marianna Zampieri doesn't just take photographs; through her art, she tells stories. Each cat she immortalizes becomes the protagonist of a broader narrative, weaving together elements of daily life, architecture, and local history. Her ability to capture the feline soul with a single shot is what makes her work so special and recognizable.

With his project “Cats in Venice,” Zampieri demonstrated how photography can be a powerful tool for documentation and awareness. His commitment not only highlights the presence of cats in the lagoon city but also underscores the importance of respect and harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.

Thanks to your dedication, the world has the opportunity to discover Venice from a different perspective: that of someone who lives it with a light touch, among canals, squares, and rooftops, always with a hint of mystery and a lot of feline elegance.