Meet Ottavia Giola

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ottavia Giola a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ottavia, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

When I’m afraid of taking a risk usually I tend to overthink it at first, but then I push myself to act. It’s still something I am working on. The moment I start thinking too much, I know I need to stop and just take the leap. For example, when I was working as an art director I was uncertain about leaving everything I knew to pursue something entirely different as photography. Leaving my city, my family, my friends to move to the opposite part of the world by myself. Everyone around me had different opinions, and I was torn, but in the end I just did it. I didn’t even realize I was moving to another country until I was already on the plane and by then it was too late to turn back. A year later, it hit me how significant that step had been, and I felt an immense sense of pride and realization in having made that choice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I was born and raised in Turin, Italy. I graduated in communication design and immediately began working as an art director at the agency Armando Testa. At the same time, I started developing a passion for photography, particularly in telling stories through images. As an art director, this was part of my daily practice. After being the main art director for the international Peuterey campaign and contributing to the Lavazza Calendar, I decided to pursue a freelance photography career, always aiming to maintain my artistic perspective. I moved to New York to attend the ICP – International Center of Photography, where I learned a great deal about how photography is always a way to tell a story, no matter how small or personal.

One of my key projects, Her, focuses on the female experience through the lens of personal relationships, intimacy, and the complex emotions that shape our connections with others. The series explores themes such as vulnerability, jealousy, and longing, captured in a series of faceless portraits that emphasize the raw, emotional essence of these feelings.

Currently, I am focused on projects that center around women, continuing to explore themes that reflect their experiences, emotions, and relationships. These projects are an ongoing exploration of the complexities and depth of the female perspective, seeking to give voice to stories that often go untold.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think the first one for me is resilience: there have been moments in my career where I was uncertain and had fear about the future, and this held me back for some time, especially when I transitioned from art direction more to photography and later when I moved to a new city to pursue my passion. I started moving forward, even when the outcome was unclear. Sometimes you have to embrace the difficulties you encounter and make them into a new opportunity. It’s hard but it’s the only way to grow, and I’m still learning it everyday.

The second one would be adaptability: the creative industry is constantly changing, and as creatives we need to adapt to new technologies, styles, and developing the skill of networking: the key is to be flexible. Sometimes you want a specific job but you’re gonna end up working on something else for a while before arriving where you really want to be, and that’s fine. This also translates to the way of networking, that can really give you great opportunities. You just have to be open and adapt to the context you’re in, seeing what it offers you and what you can bring to the table.

Third one would be the creative vision: in this world where trends are deciding the way we are living, is very hard to make your own style, voice and perspective heard. I had a hard time finding my unique perspective in all my projects and I’m still developing it, but I’m learning to protect my vision. Don’t be confused by trends, find something that speaks to you and let it evolve. Learn from others, but don’t mimic them. Your individuality is what will make your work stand out.

My best advice would be to be patient with yourself and don’t compare your work to others. Growth takes time, and it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. Keep learning, experimenting, and above all, stay connected to what speaks to you.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, it’s usually because of everything happening around me. It seems like everyone is constantly busy, living their perfect lives, and excelling in their work, while I feel like I haven’t accomplished enough. Social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, definitely contribute to this feeling. To overcome it I usually try to take a step back and spend time alone doing something that distracts me, whether it’s cleaning my house, reading a book, or simply avoiding my phone for hours.

When I’m feeling completely drained, I like to remind myself of the things I’ve accomplished that I sometimes take for granted, and I make a list in my head. Reflecting on these things helps me regain perspective and makes me feel better with myself and that’s what I would suggest anyone to do. Put your phone away, play some good music, do something that keeps your brain thoughts-free and make a list of things you accomplished. It’s a simple but powerful way to reconnect with yourself and shift your mindset.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ottaviagiola.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottyyyy/
• Facebook: Ottavia Giola
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ottavia-giola-bb7608180/