Italy, From Nature to Faith | Captured on Kodak Gold 200 with a Canon AE-1

As a photographer, I had spent countless hours looking through images of the Dolomites — dramatic peaks, alpine lakes, and quiet mountain trails captured on film. Somehow, every time I thought of Italy, I thought of those mountains. It became the place I wanted to experience with my own camera.

Last summer, my three girlfriends and I decided to take a European summer trip together. I packed my Canon AE-1 and enough rolls of Kodak Gold 200, hoping to capture the Italy I had always imagined.

After a long flight from Sydney, our journey began in Venice. We chose Venice as our first stop because it was the closest city with an international airport before heading north towards the Dolomites. But beyond convenience, Venice was the perfect introduction to Italy, a city that feels almost impossible to recreate anywhere else.

Walking through its narrow streets and along its canals, I found myself constantly looking for little moments. Reflections on the water, old buildings touched by time, and the quiet rhythm of daily life happening around one of the most photographed cities in the world.

Then came the place I had been waiting for. The Dolomites.

We spent our days exploring Lago di Braies, Tre Cime, and Croda di Lago. Standing among the mountains, I finally understood why so many photographers are drawn here. The landscapes are breathtaking, but what stayed with me was the feeling of stillness. The mountains made me slow down. They reminded me that photography is not always about finding the perfect composition. Sometimes it is simply about being present enough to notice.

Some of my favourite memories were not even from the trails. They were the quiet mornings at our Airbnb, with beautiful light filling the rooms as we prepared for another day of exploring. Those small moments between adventures became just as meaningful as the destinations themselves.

From the mountains, we continued to Florence for a slower pace. After days of hiking and early mornings, Florence gave us time to rest and enjoy the beauty of the city differently. Wandering through museums, tasting wine, and sharing conversations over Aperol Spritz as the afternoon passed by.

Our next stop was Sorrento, another place I had admired through the film photography community for years. The Amalfi Coast felt like a completely different side of Italy. The deep blue water, colourful villages, and sunlight reflecting across the sea created scenes that felt almost too beautiful to be real.

Travelling by boat through Capri, Positano, and Amalfi allowed us to experience the coastline from a different perspective. Instead of rushing from one viewpoint to another, we let the days unfold slowly and taking in the beauty around us.

By the time we arrived in Rome, my camera had already documented so many moments from the journey. But unexpectedly, Rome became the one place I chose not to photograph.

I wanted to experience the Eternal City without searching for the next image. I wanted to walk through its streets, admire its history, and allow some memories to exist only in my mind.

Our final visit was to the Vatican during Jubilee Year. As a Catholic, entering St Peter’s Basilica was one of the most meaningful moments of the entire trip. It was not just another beautiful place to photograph, but a place filled with history, faith, and personal significance.