GuidoMaggi - Craft, Character & New York Streets
GuidoMaggi is a luxury Italian footwear brand known for its craftsmanship, attention to detail, and timeless design. When the opportunity came to shoot a full content series for them in New York City, I knew the visuals had to do justice to the shoes, not just as objects, but as expressions of character, confidence, and craft.
The Journey to New York
I traveled to NYC with Kish Raveendran, a close friend, creative partner, and the model for this project. Over a few days, we walked the city’s streets, shot in a wide range of environments, and explored more cafés than I can count. New York has its own energy, and capturing that rhythm alongside GuidoMaggi’s aesthetic became the heartbeat of the shoot.
A Collaboration Built on People
This project was powered by two people who made the work feel effortless:
Kish, who brought range, presence, and an intuitive sense of style to every look
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kish.raveendran/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kish.raveendran/
Emanuele Briganti, founder and owner of GuidoMaggi, whose craftsmanship and passion for quality were inspiring to witness firsthand
Visiting the GuidoMaggi NYC showroom gave me a deeper appreciation of the brand. Every shoe told a story: the stitching, the hand-worked leather, the subtle architectural lifts. These shoes are engineered with care and worn with intention, something the photography needed to honour.
Capturing Craft Through Multiple Lenses
To tell the full story, I used a blend of tools:
Nikon D800 for high-resolution detail and editorial shots
DJI Osmo Pocket for dynamic movement and street-level sequences
Meta Glasses to capture point-of-view moments and behind-the-scenes authenticity
DJI Osmo Pocket for dynamic movement and street-level sequences
Meta Glasses to capture point-of-view moments and behind-the-scenes authenticity
Each camera offered a different texture, from crisp product detail to spontaneous documentary-style glimpses. The combination created a layered, honest representation of the brand.
The Visual Direction
The goal was simple:
Show the craft. Show the quality. Show the man who wears the shoes.
Show the craft. Show the quality. Show the man who wears the shoes.
GuidoMaggi footwear has presence, understated but confident. So we matched that energy with a mix of:
Clean editorial portraits
Street-style sequences
Textural café environments
Showroom detail shots
Natural moments of Kish simply being Kish
Street-style sequences
Textural café environments
Showroom detail shots
Natural moments of Kish simply being Kish
The result was a visual story that merges Italian craftsmanship with New York attitude.
Conversations That Matter
One of the highlights was interviewing Emanuele. Hearing him talk about design philosophy, heritage, and the pursuit of excellence added a depth that shaped the final direction. His commitment to quality isn’t marketing language, it’s a lived reality woven into every pair of shoes.
A Project Rooted in Craft & Connection
This shoot reminded me why I love what I do:
traveling, creating, collaborating with passionate people, and telling stories through images that feel honest.
traveling, creating, collaborating with passionate people, and telling stories through images that feel honest.
Working closely with Kish and Emanuele was the heart of this project. They both bring vision, integrity, and a sense of craft that elevates everything around them.
GuidoMaggi isn’t just about footwear, it’s about character.
And this project was about capturing exactly that.
And this project was about capturing exactly that.
