Love & Light in Italy: A Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Family and Ancestral Love in My Husband's Family's Farm

My favorite spot in southern Italy was the small mountain town we stayed in Vaccarizzo Albanese, Province of Cosenza, Italy. We chose the spot because it was minutes away from my husband's family farm in southern Italy. It was also about a 15 minute drive to the nearest beach and town with more restaurants. This area of Italy was a very rural and there was only one grocery store in the small mountain town we stayed in and it was a small but well stocked family run ingredient only shop. We were staying in a Bed and Breakfast without any cooking utensils leaving us to our own creativity. We basically lived off DIY caprese flat bread at our hotel in the evenings when we weren’t with his family.

How to balance living in the moment and taking photographs and video while traveling…
For me the best way to balance traveling and taking photos is to really only paused to take photos of things that catch my attention or new things that I notice. The nice thing about traveling frequently is that we've been a lot of places so I don't feel the need to capture all of the new tourist locations each time we go somewhere, because thankfully we’ve been there a few times.

I think the most important thing to do when photographing things on your travels is focus on the details for things that are interesting to you textures color I personally have a weird fixation on trash I think that it's interesting to notice how people live differently than us or things that are very similar. I also like to take note and include the price and cost of things because I think that's interesting to look back on later. I also don't ever Photoshop out any weird signs or billboards because I think they become a little time capsules as adventures and time go on.

Besides spending time with family, here were some additional itinerary suggestions:

🏛️ Cultural and Historical Attractions

Chiesa Matrice dei SS. Pietro e Paolo: This historic church is a notable landmark in Vaccarizzo Albanese, reflecting the town's religious heritage.

Arbëreshë Heritage: Vaccarizzo Albanese is part of the Arbëreshë community, descendants of Albanian refugees. The town actively preserves its unique customs, rituals, and folklore, offering visitors a glimpse into this vibrant culture.calabriastraordinaria.it

🌿 Natural Attractions and Outdoor Activities Sila National Park: A short drive away, this park offers lush forests, hiking trails, and serene landscapes, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Lake Cecita: Located within Sila National Park, this large reservoir is ideal for picnics and leisurely walks, though swimming is prohibited.Giants of Sila Nature Reserve: Home to centuries-old trees, this reserve offers a majestic natural setting for visitors to explore: Sharry Land.

🏰 Nearby Towns and Attractions Acri: Approximately 12 km away, Acri boasts religious architecture and historic buildings, offering a blend of cultural and natural attractions: komoot.

San Giorgio Albanese: This neighboring town features the San Giorgio Albanses Church, a site of historical significance.

Ducale Castle: Located in Corigliano Calabro, about 24 minutes by car, this castle offers a glimpse into the region's medieval past.komoot

🍽️ Local Cuisine: Vaccarizzo Albanese offers rustic eateries where you can enjoy traditional Calabrian dishes, complemented by local wines.