Eddy Ballardi: “Photography became my language for storytelling — a way to translate what I see and feel into something others can experience.”

Anne Marie
Nov 10, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

What first drew you to photography, and how did New York become such a central muse in your creative journey?

What first drew me to photography was the magic of being able to freeze a feeling in time — that instant when light, emotion, and story align perfectly. I’ve always been fascinated by how a single image can speak louder than words, revealing the beauty, vulnerability, or power of a moment. Photography became my language for storytelling — a way to translate what I see and feel into something others can experience.

New York, for me, became more than just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing character in my creative journey. The city’s energy — its diversity, rhythm, and constant evolution — challenges me to see beauty in both chaos and simplicity. Every street, every face, every shadow tells a story. In many ways, New York mirrors my creative process: raw, unpredictable, and endlessly inspiring.

When you photograph New York, what emotions or stories are you hoping to capture through your lens?

When I photograph New York, I’m drawn to the layers of emotion that live beneath its surface — the quiet poetry hidden within all the noise. I try to capture the city’s contradictions: its intensity and intimacy, its elegance and grit, its loneliness and connection. Every frame is a small love letter to the human experience that unfolds here every day.

I want people to feel something when they look at my images — maybe nostalgia, curiosity, or even a sense of belonging. For me, New York isn’t just about skyscrapers or fashion; it’s about the pulse of the people, the fleeting glances, the golden light reflecting off a rainy street. Through my lens, I hope to tell the story of a city that never stands still, yet always feels alive with possibility.

The city is full of contrasts — chaos and calm, grit and glamour. How do you balance these elements in your work?

For me, the beauty of New York lies in its contrasts — the luxury set against the raw, the effortless style that coexists with street grit. I’m inspired by that tension and try to reflect it through composition, texture, and mood. In my work, I often pair high fashion with unexpected environments — a couture dress against graffiti walls, deep long streets, or soft fabrics flowing through concrete streets.

That balance between chaos and elegance creates a visual rhythm that feels alive and authentic. I want my images to feel both refined and spontaneous — polished, but never too perfect. Fashion in New York isn’t about perfection; it’s about attitude, individuality, and the ability to find beauty anywhere. That’s the energy I try to capture every time I shoot.

How does New York’s energy and diversity influence your approach to both street and fashion photography?

New York’s energy and diversity are the heartbeat of my photography. The city moves with this raw, unstoppable rhythm — and I try to translate that pulse into my images. Every neighborhood, every face, every style tells a different story. That mix of cultures and perspectives constantly pushes me to experiment, to look beyond the obvious, and to find beauty in the unexpected.

In my street photography, that means capturing real moments — unfiltered expressions of individuality and emotion. In fashion, it means embracing boldness and authenticity: mixing textures, playing with light, and letting my subjects bring their own essence into the frame. The city’s diversity reminds me that style isn’t about trends; it’s about identity. New York has taught me to see fashion not just as clothing, but as self-expression in motion.

In your eyes, what makes a photograph feel authentic — even in highly stylized or editorial settings?

For me, authenticity comes from emotion — that spark of truth that cuts through the styling, lighting, and direction. Even in the most polished, editorial settings, what makes a photograph feel real is the connection between the subject, the environment, and the moment. You can style perfection, but you can’t fake presence.

When I shoot, I try to create space for something spontaneous to happen — a glance, a shift of light, a breath that breaks the pose. That’s where authenticity lives. It’s in the imperfections, the energy, and the honesty of the subject. No matter how stylized the concept, I always want the viewer to feel something genuine — as if they’re catching a glimpse of the person behind the image, not just the fashion in front of them.

You often merge fine art and fashion in your photography. How do you define the intersection between the two?

The intersection of fine art and fashion, to me, is where elegance meets emotion. Fashion gives the image its visual allure — the textures, silhouettes, and styling that catch the eye — while fine art gives it depth, a sense of story and atmosphere that lingers.

I approach each shoot like curating a living canvas: every pose, every shadow, every fabric movement is intentional, yet designed to feel effortless. When fine art and fashion collide, the result is a photograph that’s both visually striking and emotionally resonant — polished, luxurious, and full of narrative. It’s where beauty isn’t just seen, but felt.

Could you walk us through your creative process — from concept development to the final edit?

It usually begins with fashion — a look, a designer, or a color palette that sparks the concept. From there, I collaborate with stylists and designers, aligning makeup, hair, and locations to create a cohesive, visually striking story.

Many photographers rely on technical precision, while others chase emotion. Where do you position yourself on that spectrum?

For me, photography lives at the intersection of precision and emotion. Technical mastery — the light, composition, and styling — lays the foundation, but it’s the emotion that brings the image to life. I aim to create photographs that are meticulously crafted yet feel spontaneous and alive, where every detail serves the story, and every frame resonates on a deeper, emotional level.

What’s a shoot or project that best represents your personal storytelling style, and why?

Every fashion editorial I create is a reflection of my personal storytelling, even though it’s hard to choose just one as the most representative. I love all of my projects — each carries a meaningful moment or inspiration from my life, and I cherish the process of bringing those ideas to life. Together, they form a tapestry of my vision and voice, capturing both the beauty and the emotions that drive my work.

How do you collaborate with models, stylists, or clients to ensure your artistic vision comes through clearly?

Collaboration is at the heart of my process. I make sure to communicate my vision clearly from the start, sharing ideas, mood boards, and references with models, stylists, and clients. I also listen closely to their perspectives, allowing their creativity to shape the final outcome. By blending direction with spontaneity, we create images that are both precise and alive — a true reflection of the concept and everyone’s artistry.

What challenges or surprises have you encountered while trying to capture “real moments” in a fashion or editorial context?

Capturing real moments in fashion is always a balance — while styling and lighting are planned, true emotion can’t be scripted. The unexpected gestures, expressions, or fleeting light are what bring an editorial to life and make it feel authentic.

Looking ahead, how do you see your photography evolving — both as an artist and as a storyteller of New York’s ever-changing soul?

Looking ahead, I see my photography evolving into a deeper exploration of the city I love — not just its surface of glamour and texture, but the pulse, the shifts, and the stories unfolding beneath. As both artist and storyteller of New York City’s ever‑changing soul, I want to push beyond what’s visible now: experimenting with new forms, fresh collaborations, and unexpected narratives. I imagine shoots that aren’t just about fashion or street, but about the intersections of culture, identity and movement — where a couture moment meets real life, and where the city’s rhythm becomes part of the frame. I’m excited to stay rooted in this place while also reaching outward, allowing my work to reflect both the city’s evolution and how I’m growing with it.

Your recent shoot in New York’s Central Park, featuring Bethesda Terrace and its iconic bridges, is set to be published in Malvie Magazine. Can you tell us about the concept behind this project, and how collaborating with Mariliis Pikkar of Marimo Fashion Brand — who also stepped in as a model — shaped the creative process and final images?

Shooting in Central Park, especially around Bethesda Terrace and its iconic bridges, was all about capturing the dialogue between elegance and environment. The architecture and natural light of the park created a timeless, almost cinematic backdrop for Marimo Fashion Brand’s couture designs.

Collaborating with Mariliis Pikkar, who not only designed the collection but also modeled, brought a unique intimacy to the project. Her soft yet elegant poses honored the craftsmanship and detail of her couture work, making every frame feel purposeful and alive. The combination of the park’s iconic beauty, the couture pieces, and Mariliis’s presence allowed me to tell a story that is at once personal, luxurious, and distinctly New York.