florence street photography | jason evans
Florence - where the Renaissance was born, the pasta is non-negotiable, and the streets feel like they were designed specifically to be photographed. There's a light here that shifts constantly — bouncing off terracotta rooftops, pooling in narrow alleyways, catching the faces of locals who've long stopped noticing how beautiful it all is. For a street photographer, it's almost unfair.
Last week, I found myself wandering its chaotic maze of cobbled streets while in town for the Fearless Masters Wedding Photography Conference. It was a brilliant couple of days - super inspiring, energising, and a chance to meet some amazing photographers from around the world.
But as any photographer knows, you can't land in a city like Florence and wait for things to start. The camera comes out straight away — literally as soon as we landed!
Hitting the Streets with the Fuji XT5
In between everything, I headed out to explore the sights with a few photographer friends who'd travelled in from the various locations. We quickly became a slightly over-excited multi-national camera crew — shooting everything in sight, drifting through side streets, and chasing that soft, dramatic Italian light.
My camera of choice for the trip? The Fuji XT5. It's a dream for this kind of shooting - responsive, capable, and with that sensor resolving every cobblestone and shaft of light in extraordinary detail. It handled everything Florence threw at it, from harsh midday sun to deep shadows in narrow alleyways, without missing a beat.
Finding Inspiration in the Streets
Florence has a way of constantly drawing you in. One minute you're in a busy piazza, the next you're turning into a quiet, sunlit street where something subtle is unfolding. It's those small, unscripted moments that make it — animated conversations, quick glances, little slices of everyday life playing out naturally.
That's what I love most about street photography. You're not directing anything - just observing, anticipating, and reacting as it all happens.
Carbs, Chianti, and Party Chaos
Of course, you can't balance street photography with a full conference schedule without properly fuelling up. Let's call it "culinary research." The food and wine were incredible — plenty of fresh pasta, strong espresso, and more than enough Chianti to keep us going.
And the conference itself? As inspiring as ever, finishing with the legendary Fearless Masters after-party. Safe to say, wedding photographers know exactly how to let loose when they're the ones on the dancefloor instead of behind the camera - it took a while to get over it.
