In this interview series, we chat with members of our club to help you get to know them better. Today, we talk to Simona and Radu about their lifes and work in the region.
What brought you to the French Riviera? How long have you been here?
We decided to spend a month on the French Riviera during the summer of 2021 for our honeymoon. Of course, we were really excited to relax and soak up the sun. We booked an apartment in Nice with a city view and sea view, and it’s understandable why we couldn’t get enough of it.
At that moment, we had already been looking for a nice and warm place in Europe to move to from our home country to escape the cold winters. The French Riviera seemed like the perfect place to settle down for a while. Our honeymoon trip was so beautiful and romantic, and we fell in love with the region.
Could you tell us about your professional career? What do or did you do for work?
Radu:
‘In 2010, I said hello to the world of photography. Armed with my trusty Nikon D3100, I soon realized my hobby could be a profitable profession. As I took on more projects, I invested in high-tech cameras for capturing stunning travel images. Nature, travel, and macro photography were my initial focus, but once drones became a thing, I couldn’t resist. Who wouldn’t want to document the world from a bird’s-eye view? Over four years, my drone-flying skills soared, with over 300 hours of filming and aerial photography.
I also own an online shop specializing in the sale of high-quality travel and aerial art prints and posters. The pieces I offer are carefully curated to showcase unique and visually stunning designs, making them a perfect addition to any home or office décor. My equipment now includes a Mavic Air 2 drone, a mirrorless Sony a7R III camera, and various lenses for the perfect shot.’
Simona:
‘Design has always been a passion of mine, and it’s led me to explore a variety of creative fields. From graphic design to jewelry design, I’ve enjoyed finding different avenues for self-expression. When I met Radu in 2011, his new profession quickly became my hobby, and due to my background in architecture, I found myself naturally gravitating towards architectural photography. There’s something about capturing the perfect essence, the purity of form, the concept, or the visual narrative of a building that really speaks to me.
As Radu and I traveled throughout Europe, we captured many architectural masterpieces. Over the years I gained vast experience in photo post-processing and lately, I’ve taken my passion for gastronomy to the next level with food styling and food photography. Being our own bosses has allowed us to take on projects that truly inspire us and to work with clients who share our vision. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but we’ve learned to be resourceful and adaptable. It’s a rewarding career path that has allowed us to grow both personally and professionally.’
What does the company that you work for do?
Our company offers professional photography and videography services in real estate and commercial industry. We specialize in capturing high-quality images and footage of stunning properties, delicious food, amazing products, luxurious hotels, and even magnificent yachts. And if you want to take your visuals to new heights, we’ve got you covered with our aerial imaging services for real estate and yachts.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
One of the biggest reasons was the desire for creative freedom and control over our work, so that we can have the ability to choose the types of projects we take and also to set our own schedules. We also want to build our own brand and reputation in the industry by consistently producing high-quality work.
What would be your best advice to others thinking about living or working on the French Riviera?
We would say this: be prepared to fall in love with the food and wine, but thanks to plenty of outdoor activities, you won’t have to worry about fitting into your skinny jeans. The croissants are just too good!
La Côte d’Azur is a vibrant place with beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, and if you have the opportunity to live or work there, go for it! Just make sure you have a good sunscreen, because those Mediterranean rays can be intense.
Fun facts about Simona and Radu!
Since when do you live on the French Riviera?
September 2022
Where are you originally from?
Originally from Bucharest, Romania.
What is your favourite wine?
We are not so much into wines but we looove the refreshing citron liquor from Èze.
What is your favourite spot on the French Riviera?
Although we have yet to explore all the beautiful spots on the French Riviera, we enjoy the stunning beaches in Cannes which have quickly become our favorites.
What French word, expression or sentence do you find very difficult to pronounce?
(Radu) I find ‘oeufs’ difficult to pronounce but lucky me, it’s always written on the package! Thanks to that I’m always able to bring eggs home instead of eyes (lol).
We believe that building genuine relationships with our clients is just as important as capturing beautiful photographs. And we are always excited to meet new people and make new friends, whether or not it’s related to photography. So, if you happen to see us at the next event, don’t hesitate to come say hello!
And if you’re in need of photography services, we’ll be more than happy to help you with your project.
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