Bio - Marianna Santoni

Ph: © Fabio Lupparelli

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

Someone must have made up the word “talent”
with an evil intent.
They have caused a lot of trouble with just a single word.
They gave birth to the illusion that for someone
it is easier than for someone else
and, at the same time, they created an alibi
not to try enough

MARIANNA SANTONI

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

Ph: © Fabio Lupparelli

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

Ph: © Nino Lombardo

WHO AM I?

I HELP PEOPLE AND COMPANIES TO COMMUNICATE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH IMAGES.  

I am a photographer and retoucher. University lecturer and researcher.
Since the end of the 90s I've been specialising in the more technical aspects of the creation and the management of photos and digital images: from the initial shooting, through to post-production and then on to printing.

I am an adviser for many of the main international brands in this field.

I am one of the world’s leading experts in the field of digital photography and retouching and this had been borne out by the great number of official awards I have received from the most important companies and brands in digital imaging.

For almost twenty years the most important companies at world level, as well as government agencies and internationally renowned photographers have come to rely on my work.  
Since 2004 I have been collaborating regularly as a consultant, researcher, speaker and author with many of the most important companies of the sector including: Adobe®, Canon®, Canson®, Eizo®, Elinchrom®, Epson®, Fujifilm®, HP®, Nikon®, Wacom®, X-Rite® and other government organizations including the Italian Army.

Since 2010 I have been a lecturer at the ISIA in Urbino for the post-degree specialist course in Photography of Cultural Heritage and I have given lessons in a further 13 universities, academies and institutes in Italy and abroad.

I am the author of more than 70 publications including manuals and specialist articles, as well as the first guide in the world for Lightroom commissioned by Adobe® in 2006.

Since 2004 Marianna has been chosen by the major photography brands and by the most important government organizations such as Guru, Evangelist e Ambassador.

From the Italian magazine "Progresso Fotografico", Gold Series, March-April 2019

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

Ph: © Alessandro Bernardi

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

International accolades and awards

The sole Italian woman to be welcomed as "Eizo® Ambassador" (2018).
The prestigious group of “Eizo®Ambassador” showcases 40 professionals internationally selected for their competence and commitment to inspire and educate artists and creatives ariund the world of all levels. The group of Eizo®Ambassador includes photographers, printers, designers, retouchers and filmmakers.
Here the link to the official page of Eizo Ambassador.

ABOUT EIZO®
Established in 1968, Eizo® is a Japanese company and global leader in the production of the best monitors for professional use.
The sole Italian photographer to be welcomed as "Canson® Infinity Ambassador" (2018).
I am the first and sole Italian photographer who has been awarded the Canson® Infinity Ambassador among 25 photographers selected around the world. The selection is made according to the excellence achieved with one’s own fine art photos. Here the link to the official page of Canson Ambassador

ABOUT CANSON®
Canson® is a French paper factory among the oldest and most prestigious ones around the world. It is the global market leader of Fine Arts papers for art and photography. Since 1557 its papers have been used by the most important artists of the world such as Degas, Ingres, Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. Since 2010 Canson® has been sponsoring the Louvre Museum.
The sole Italian woman to be welcomed as "Elinchrom® Ambassador" (2017).
The select group of “Elinchrom®Ambassador” showcases 26 photographers selected worldwide due to the excellence achieved with their photos, for their technical competence in photography and for the advanced techniques in the use of studio flash both indoor and outdoor.
Here the link to the official page of Elinchrom Ambassador.

ABOUT ELINCHROM®
Established in 1962, Elinchrom® has been producing the world's most portable studio flash.
The sole Italian photographer to be honored by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs among the 54 Italian "talented women" (2010).
I was selected by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs among the most talented Italian women. My biography is included in the book “Merito al femminile” with a foreword by former President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. The book was promoted by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Presidency of the Council (Italian Ministry of Equal Opportunities) and the Strategic Committee “Plural Feminine” of UIR (Union of Industrialists and Enterprises in Rome). This book portraits the 54 Italian “talented women” who managed to achieve excellent levels in their professional fields, from politics to entrepreneurship, from university to research, from communication to sport, through science, culture and art.
Here the link to the book: "Merito al femminile. Talenti di donne tra lavoro e vita privata".
The sole European woman to be welcomed as "X-Rite® Coloratti Master" (2009).
I am the sole European woman to be awarded the “X-Rite® Coloratti Master” accolade in 2009: it is the prestigious group of the 120 major world experts of colour management selected and acknowledged by X-Rite® (Pantone®).
Here the link to the official page of X-Rite Ambassador.

ABOUT X-RITE®
Established in 1958, X-Rite® is the industry leader in the manufacturing of products and solutions for color management and measurement to be applied in many different sectors.
First Italian woman to be awarded the “Pericle D’Oro” Prize as "Woman of the Year" (2007).
ABOUT THE PERICLE D’ORO PRIZE
The “Pericle Prize” is named after Pericles, the statesman, orator and general who encouraged the development of art and literature in ancient Greece. This accolade – originally established to award people from Calabria – has become over time, after over 30 editions, a well-known National Prize that is devoted each year to a different field of expertise and it aims at highlighting personalities and major talents who have stood out both in Italy and abroad for their excellent achievements. This prize includes world famous scientists such as prof. Umberto Veronesi and the Nobel Prize Renato Dulbecco
First Italian expert and, to date, sole woman to be elected "Best Adobe® Guru for Photoshop® and Lightroom®" by Adobe® (2006).
Adobe® explained the reason why they awarded me in 2006 as follows: “for her contagious passion and her commitment to research and spread the knowledge about Adobe Photoshop® and Adobe Lightroom®”.
First European retoucher to be welcomed as "Wacom® Evangelist" (2005).
The Wacom®Evangelists (today called Ambassadors) are the prestigious group of major world experts in the use of professional graphic tablets. Back in 2005 I was the first European retoucher to receive this accolade: at that time we were only 5 Evangelists selected among the different areas of photography, illustration, 3D and animation.

ABOUT WACOM®
Established in 1983, Wacom® is a Japanese company and world market leader in the production of graphic tablets and graphic products.
The first Italian woman to be selected as "Adobe® Guru on Digital Imaging" by Adobe® (2004).
The Adobe® Gurus are the select group of major Italian experts of Adobe® software officially acknowledged by the Head Company. The Adobe® Gurus have the traditional assignments of an ambassador and work as researchers, beta testers and advisors for the development of Adobe® products. The Adobe® Gurus are also the official trainers who teach the Adobe® internal staff and external people on behalf of Adobe® during official events, meetings, seminars, courses and product presentations. As an Adobe® Guru, among other things, I wrote the first world guide about Lightroom® commissioned by Adobe®.

ABOUT ADOBE®
Established in 1982, this US software house is a global leader in the field of digital imaging, graphics and video. The company produces Photoshop®, Lightroom®, Illustrator®, InDesign®, Acrobat®…and many other types of software and solutions that have become international standards for anyone dealing with visual arts.

Ph: © Courtesy of RAI

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

Ph: © Dia Sotto le Stelle

Ph: © Courtesy of RAI

From left to right:
Marianna Santoni on RAI2 (Italian television) for 8 episodes of "Detto Fatto" (that is "Said, done!") from 2016 to 2017 in her role as an international expert in photography.

Marianna Santoni at Photokina 2018 interviewed in front of one of her fine art images on exhibition in her role as Canson® Ambassador.
Marianna Santoni in her role as Adobe® Guru at "Dia Sotto le Stelle” (that is "Diaporama under the stars") in Busto Arsizio (VA) in 2006.

Marianna Santoni awarded the Pericles Award as Woman of the Year in Bovalino in 2007.

WHAT I DO

POST-PRODUCTION

Since 2002 I have been dealing with high-end post-production. I am the first Italian expert to be elected by Adobe® “Best Adobe® Guru” for Photoshop® and Lightroom®. Since 2004, I have been qualified as Adobe® Certified Expert (ACE), and Adobe® Certified Instructor (ACI) for Photoshop (the main official certifications by Adobe®). I manage the post-production for different world-class photographers and for big companies such as Gucci®, FIAT®, MSC Crociere®.

Since 2004 I have been working with the main brands of the sector and I am the speaker during official events for companies like Adobe®, Wacom®, Eizo®, X-Rite®…

Official Ambassador for:
- Wacom®, the select group of the major world experts in the use of graphic tablets;
- Eizo®, the influential group of experts, photographers, videographers selected all over the world thanks to the excellent achievements in their sector;
- X-Rite® (Pantone), the prestigious group of the major world experts in color management.

Adobe® Certified Expert and Adobe® Certified Instructor for Photoshop®: the main official certifications by Adobe®.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

PHOTOGRAPHY

I have been dealing with photography for 25 years.

I am the sole Italian photographer who was honored by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs among the 54 Italian “talented women” in 2010.

My photos are published in international advertising campaigns. My portfolio includes photos for clients such as Sony®, Ryanair® and Aboca®.
As an artist I exhibited my works in Italy, France and Germany.

Since 2004 I have been working with the main brands of the sector and I am the speaker during official events for companies like Canon®, Nikon®, Fujifilm®, Elinchrom®…

I am part of the jury in different international photographic contests.

Official Ambassador for:
- Canson Infinity®, the select group of photographers chosen all around the world thanks to their excellent photographic works and for their deep knowledge and command of the fine art print;
- Elinchrom® for my advanced command in the use of studio flash, both indoor and outdoor.

TRAINING

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

TRAINING

I am the author of over 70 specialized publications.

I have carried out over 1.000 training assignments on behalf of Adobe®, Canon®, Canson®, Eizo®, Elinchrom®, Epson®, Fujifilm®, Hasselblad®, HP®, Nikon®, Microsoft®, Wacom®, X-Rite®.

I am adviser for the digitization and filing of the artistic heritage for the Giorgio CINI Foundation and for photographic and historical archives like the one about jazz belonging to the photographer Roberto Polillo.

I have lectured in 13 different universities, academies and institutes including the Montana State University, I have been a professor of digital photography and post-production at the ISIA in Urbino (Italy) since 2010 in the post-graduation specialist course of Photography of Cultural Heritage.

I am a forensic photography adviser for the highest government organizations including the Italian Army.

PRE-PRESS

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

PRE-PRESS

For press and pre-press I am the reliable expert for some of the main multinational companies in the field, publishing houses, printing houses, printers and big names in the world of photography.

Since 2004 I have been working with the main brands of the sector and I am the speaker during official events for companies like X-Rite®, Canson®, Epson®, HP®.

Official Ambassador for:
- Canson Infinity®, the select group of photographers chosen all around the world for their excellent photographic works and for their deep knowledge and command of the fine art print;
- X-Rite® (Pantone), the prestigious group of the major world experts in color management.

Ph: © Luca Vescera

MY (HI)STORY

They call me Guru, Evangelist, Ambassador and in many other ways. My surname is Santoni [Holy Men, N.o.T.]…and that’s when little jokes start. Yet, apart from titles, it happens that someone wants to know who I really am.

I come from Umbria. And I have an Umbrian accent that makes any conversation really funny.

They see me like a survivor. It’s awesome to be and that’s an ode to life for me. I survived several earthquakes, for example that in Japan back to 2011; a con man who robbed me, an emergency landing and a burning train wagon.
I survived a malignant tumor discovered when it was already at third stage.

I lived with the awareness I was not that smart. The others understand all very quickly, but I need more time. Although my limits and the tests I have stood, I have decided not to step back. I have kept on respecting my skills and I have put all my efforts to develop them. I have wanted to stand up for my dreams and happiness. I have learned to pursue courage. I have been saved by the idea that anything that is possible to do or be is possible for me as well. In the end, life is an opportunity to cherish.

Today my extra-ordinary ability to discover and awaken hidden skills and dormant potentials in images, tools and people is acknowledged.

My extra-ordinary ability to push to experience new points of view, new relations between things, unusual intuitions and to encourage to get away from traditional patterns of thinking, in the funniest and wittiest possible way.

Out of the shell, fly high.

My life revolves around all of this.
This is what attracts me.
This is what I do every day with myself.
This is what has taken me to obtain such important results.

Helping people do the same makes me happy.

Ph: © Ivan Sarfatti

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ME

Marianna Santoni deserves the biggest credit
for triggering a real tsunami of innovation
in the world of photography
by challenging the rooted belief
that experts are very formal, pretentious, boring and hard to understand when they speak.

Marianna Santoni is just the complete opposite:
she is a concentration of knowledge and humanity like no other in her field.

From the book “Merito al Femminile” (Women and their credits), created and promoted by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, 2010. Foreword to the book written by Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italian Repu

Marianna Santoni, age 40, is considered a point of reference in the world of photography.

La Stampa

31 May 2018

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Marianna Santoni is young and joyful and her titles outnumber her years.

Il Messaggero

21 March 2016

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Marianna Santoni is a natural creature in each gesture and word because, in her nature, she always reaches towards the best and she does not brag if she achieves it.

Wall Street International

21 November 2017

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Ph: © CORRIERE DELL'UMBRIA

Ph: © LA STAMPA

Ph: © FOTOGRAFARE

Ph: © THE MAG

Me… and the legends

When I was 23 I traveled to the United States.

I went to the MoMa in New York to see Van Gogh. I had always liked his ability to paint all that suffering and solitude by choosing colors usually used to convey happiness.

I was looking for The Starry Night but I got to the wrong floor. Instead of paintings I found photos. I started to look at them with curiosity until I suddenly stopped in front of a big printing of a girl lolling on a chair. I stood there staring at it for an extremely long time, maybe half an hour, maybe an hour. I could not move away from that work of art.

It was Juliet in white chair by Sally Mann (1982)

With that shot, just like Van Gogh with his colors, she had managed to use a subject usually linked with positive and innocent feelings to express something totally different.

All of a sudden it was all clear to me.
From that moment onwards it was natural for me to study photography by beginning with the biggest authors and confronting myself with the main experts and artists of the world.
I have never stopped.

Today I organize training events with some of them, others choose me as post-producer, others as their professor.

I have managed to meet many of them.
One day I will meet Sally too.