Someone must have made up the word “talent”
with an evil intent.
With just a single word they caused a lot of trouble.
They gave birth to the illusion that for some
it’s easier than for others
and, at the same time, they created an alibi
for not trying hard enough.

 

MARIANNA SANTONI
WHO IS MARIANNA SANTONI

Marianna Santoni is an Italy‑based photographer, author and consultant, internationally recognised as a leading authority on photography post-production (Photoshop® and Lightroom®) and among the world’s most decorated experts

Working at the intersection of art and technology, she blends a humanities background with advanced technical skills and academic research.

Named by Adobe® 'Best Adobe Guru' (2006) and voted 'No. 1 Teacher in Italy' for photographic post-production (Tau Visual, 2021), she has spent 20+ years helping professionals, companies and institutions master the entire image workflow — from capture to print — by implementing cutting-edge solutions that streamline processes and ensure each photographic project reaches its full visual, communicative and technical potential.

Consultant and speaker for major imaging brands - Adobe®, Canon®, Calibrite®, Canson® Infinity, Epson®, EIZO®, Epson®, HP®, Nikon®, Sony®, Wacom®, X-Rite Pantone® - and has delivered 1,500+ talks and courses. Clients include Gucci, Italian Army, Sony Music, Ryanair, RAI, Treccani and UNESCO

Invited as an artist to exhibit at the Venice Biennale’s official collateral events (2011), in 2022 she signed the first NFT acquired by the Milan Cathedral’s Historical Archive (Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano). 

A lecturer at ISIA Urbino and visiting lecturer at 10+ universities, she runs a leading photography and post-production school in Milan attended by professionals from over 20 countries. She is the author of 70+ publications, including the first Lightroom guide commissioned by Adobe in 2006. 

 

 

International accolades and awards

  • Author of the photograph of the first NFT to enter the heritage of the"Archive of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano" (31 may 2022)

    Author of the photograph of the first NFT (non-fungible token) preserved in the Archive of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo in Milan where it will be kept forever, enriching a documentary heritage of infinite and precious treasures that the institution has produced and collected since 1387: ancient documents, registers, plans for the cathedral, musical scores, images dating back to the dawn of photography and much more.

    This photograph immortalises the saffron risotto created by chef Alessandro Negrini, produced as part of Giallozafferano's first international project and part of Giallozafferano's first NFT collection, Mondadori.

    The recipe and its photo will be preserved forever in the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo Archive, enriching the documentary heritage that the institution has produced and collected over more than six hundred years of history.

  • "Italy's No. 1 Photoshop Expert" in the first and only national survey ever conducted, done by the Italian National Association of Professional Photographers Tau Visual (2021).


    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SURVEY
    The Italian National Association of Professional Photographers TAU Visual, polled all professional photographers associated asking them to name the best photography post-production teachers of whom they had had particularly satisfying direct experience.
    I am the professional who received the most votes.

    WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS TAU VISUAL?
    It is a national association founded in 1992 by Roberto Tomesani to help professional photographers to live their profession positively and effectively.
    The association has over two thousand active members, all professional photographers, on the entire national territory. It has also provided advice and support indirectly for over nine thousand professional photographers in Italy.
    It is also a member, for the photographic sector, of the Expert Commission for Sector Studies at the Revenue Agency and of the "Committee for the development and protection of the legal offer of digital works" established by Agcom, the Italian Communications Authority.

  • "Calibrite Ambassador" (2021)

    Unica donna italiana chiamata a diventare Calibrite Ambassador (2021), il ristretto gruppo di composto da 24 professionisti e artisti, selezionati in tutto il mondo, esperti di color management in ambito fotografico e videografico. 

  • 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.

  • Adobe Certified Instructor (dal 2004)


    COS'È E COME SI OTTIENE LA CERTIFICAZIONE UFFICIALE ADOBE®?
    Trovi tutti i chiarimenti a questa pagina del mio blog.

  • Adobe Certified Expert (dal 2004)


    COS'È E COME SI OTTIENE LA CERTIFICAZIONE UFFICIALE ADOBE®?
    Trovi tutti i chiarimenti a questa pagina del mio blog.

  • 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.

I MIEI CLIENTI

Selezione di lavori recenti.

Questa pagina offre una panoramica sintetica 
di alcune delle realtà con cui collaboro 
e degli incarichi che ricopro.

VAI ALLA PAGINA

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 Republic.

WHAT I DO

POST-PRODUCTION
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
Marianna Santoni fotografa
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
Marianna Santoni public speaker
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
Marianna Santoni in mostra
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.

 

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
Currently Public Speaker and Official Ambassador for:
(some of the most important brands
in the photography and post-production sector)
Marianna Santoni Wacom Evangelist
Marianna Santoni Adobe Guru
Marianna Santoni Canson Ambassador

MY (HI)STORY

They call me Guru, Evangelist, Ambassador and many other names.
My surname is Santoni (Holy Men) and that’s when the jokes start. Still, apart from the titles, some people want to know who I really am!

I come from Umbria. And I have an Umbrian accent that can make any conversation very funny. 

I’m seen as a survivor.  It feels awesome and for me it’s an ode to life.
I have survived several earthquakes, like the one in Japan back in 2011, a con-man who robbed me, an emergency landing and a burning railroad car.

And I survived a malignant tumor discovered when it was already at stage three.

I have lived with the pain of feeling I wasn’t smart enough. Others seem to understand everything quickly but I need more time. Despite these limits and the tests I have undergone I chose not to back down. I continued to honour my skills and have kept on developing them. I chose to defend my dreams and my happiness. I learned how to pursue courage. 
What saved me is the idea that anything that is possible to accomplish or to be is possible for me too.
In the end life is an opportunity and it must be cherished.

I have now been acknowledged with the extraordinary ability to discover and awaken hidden skills and dormant potentials in images, tools and in people.
To experience new points of view, new relations between things, unusual intuitions and to encourage moving away from traditional patters of thought in the funniest and wittiest way possible.

To break out of the shell and fly high! 

My life revolves around this thought.

This is what attracts me.
This is what I do with myself every single day.
This is what has made me reach such important goals.

Helping others do the same is what makes me happy.

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 THEY SAY ABOUT ME
A selection of newspapers and magazines that have written about me

PRESS RELEASE

The world-renowned Photoshop expert, "guru" of digital imaging.

ANSA
November 13, 2024

A magnetic precence made up of excellence in the digital imaging sector.
Competent, empathetic, engaging, innovative.

FOTOCult
October 2022

Marianna Santoni, an internationally renowned artist in the field of digital photography.

Gruppo Mondadori
May 31, 2022

The flawless skills and overwhelming energy she conveys in all her performances continue to define her popularity.

InstArt
January 23, 2021

Widely regarded as a digital imaging authority and among the world’s most decorated experts, recognized with top awards from the industry’s leading brands.

la Repubblica
August 19, 2020

Marianna Santoni, the most renowned expert in digital imaging.

Il Fotografo
April 2020

An international authority in photographic workflow management.

EIZO - Case History
November 2019

Since 2004, Marianna has been chosen by major photography brands and high-level government agencies as a guru, evangelist and ambassador.

Progresso Fotografico
March–April 2019

Marianna Santoni, at just 40 years of age, is considered a leading figure in the world of photography.

La Stampa
May 31, 2018

A career that knows no bounds and continues to rack up awards. Two pages of newspaper are not enough to summarise her CV.

Corriere dell'Umbria
May 30, 2018

Working with Marianna Santoni is a stroke of luck.

The Mag
June 5, 2018

Santoni, the only Italian among 25 artists nominated as Canson Ambassadors.

Affari Italiani
1 June, 2018

One of the leading experts in digital imaging in Italy and worldwide.

The Mammoth's Reflex
25 ottobre 2018

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.

Meer
November 21, 2017

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

Il Messaggero
March 21, 2016

Marianna Santoni, the Queen of Photoshop, guru of the software that revolutionised the world of photography.

Corriere dell'Umbria
March 3, 2016

Marianna Santoni's secret? Simplicity.

ILAS diNapoli
July 19, 2016

An example of courage, strength and determination. A positive role model for the younger generation.

Gazzetta di Foligno
December 4, 2016

One of the most important Italian figures in the world of photography and photo editing.

Big Rock
May 24, 2015

Marianna Santoni, one of the world's leading Photoshop gurus.

Quattroruote
September 2015

Affable and engaging, she connects easily with people from diverse backgrounds.

Fotografare
November 2015

A combination of expertise and humanity that is unrivalled in its field.

Ministero del Lavoro
June 15, 2010

Marianna Santoni is now internationally renowned for her passionate and entertaining approach.

Il Messaggero
May 10, 2010

International digital imaging guru: when genius meets technology.

Piacere Magazine
October 2009

Marianna Santoni is a prime example of one of the most interesting professionals of our time.

FOTOCult
December 2007

Watch these videos!

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Webinar: The 25 most common Photoshop® mistakes
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ColorChecker Passport Photo2 for true colours- How, Why & When

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viso_marianna

I am still learning,
because the subject of study
always seems in process.

MARIANNA SANTONI
PHOTOSHOP®
Certified Expert
PHOTOSHOP®
Certified Instructor
WACOM®
Evangelist
X-RITE®
Coloratti Master
CANSON® INFINITY
Ambassador
ELINCHROM®
Ambassador
EIZO®
Ambassador
PHOTOSHOP®
Certified Expert
PHOTOSHOP®
Certified Instructor
WACOM®
Evangelist
X-RITE®
Coloratti Master
CANSON® INFINITY
Ambassador
ELINCHROM®
Ambassador
EIZO®
Ambassador

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