Marie-Louise Moutafchieva: Traversing Tuscany
- PhotoED Magazine
- May 1
- 5 min read
An interview with photoED Magazine
Marie-Louise Moutafchieva is a Canadian-Bulgarian photographer with a passion for food and travel. At home or abroad, Marie-Louise crafts beautiful stories that celebrate food, food producers, kitchens, architecture, plants, light, and moments to savour.
photoED: How did you get started in photography? And what keeps you motivated and inspired to keep at it?
Marie-Louise:
I have an old family photo of me holding a camera at age 6 — I couldn’t tell you if it was a real or toy camera, but my curiosity to explore photography definitely started around then. Travelling often with my parents throughout Europe, my mother was the family photographer, but in my early teens I began to take over. I took classes in high school and quickly discovered I wanted to get more serious.
Travel is still a creative motivator for me. Observing small, everyday moments — whether it’s a cup of coffee with a slice of something sweet and homemade, documenting a change of seasons, or watching someone working away in a kitchen or food shop — I’m always excited to find a new angle to share.
My friends and family have been a constant support. It’s nice to have someone say they enjoy seeing how I view the world, and that I inspire them to pick up a camera again!
photoED: What do you love most about creating stories through photography?
Marie-Louise:
I love how photographs have the power to create memories of a place and time, like little time capsules, if you will.
Images share the culture of a place — food, traditions, people, history. Instead of using words, photographs have enough power to tell a larger tale. I create stories with the hope of transporting viewers to experience being there. I want them to almost smell the seasonal fruits at the weekly market, to hear the banter of locals, to feel all the senses through my images.
photoED: Whose work has influenced yours?
Marie-Louise:
My style has evolved throughout the years, finding influence from various artists. The work of Renaissance painters and Dutch masters like Johanes Vermeer and Rembrandt influenced my portrait series “Renaissance Children,” in 2016–2017. I’m also a big fan of Danish photographer Ditte Isager, who’s a great storyteller. Her diptychs combine food and place, and create a sense of calm. Saul Leiter and Joseph Sudek, whose photographs give elegance to their subjects, are other favourites of mine.
photoED: What makes a good photograph?
Marie-Louise:
Composition, patience, a good eye, perfect timing to capture a moment, and an ability to translate a new sense of a place. Photography makes you look at the world from another perspective and forces you to pay attention to what surrounds us. Most importantly, a good photograph simply feels right.
photoED: How has working in photography influenced you personally?
Marie-Louise:
I think it’s given me more confidence. I’ve seen my work improve with experience and I appreciate the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve met some of the most interesting people in the industry. There are many things in life I don’t think I could have done without the growth that’s come from my persistence and constant practice in photography.
photoED: What’s been your favourite project to work on?
Marie-Louise:
Travel abroad always opens up interesting adventures and leaves me inspired, wanting more. Since 2017, I’ve been collaborating with a friend and artisanal baker in Sofia, Bulgaria, when I’m there. Our passion for food and styling tie hand in hand. We’ve done several mini projects together and continue to try new experiments for the love of cooking and art.
photoED: Where do you hope photography will take you in the future?
Marie-Louise:
There are so many places I’m excited for photography to take me! I’d love to have more of my work published in international travel and leisure magazines, and I’m slowly working towards a photo-based cookbook of my own recipes. I’d love to continue collaborating with professional chefs and bakers in their kitchens, and extend the idea to include artisans around the world. I want to document the stories and workshops of people who work with food, such as cheesemakers, vintners, farmers, and chocolatiers, as well as craftspeople like woodworkers and ceramicists.
I also have a goal of exhibiting my work in the courtyard of the the Archeological Museum at the Regional Museum of History in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. They have a gallery space and lovely porticoes, which I’ve already visualised a display for! I can picture a very interactive show. My mother and father grew up in the old part of the city, so I have a very personal connection there.
photoED: Do you have any travel tips for photographers?
Marie-Louise:
Travel light!
Keep extra batteries handy.
I don’t like to carry too many lenses, only ones that could be versatile for everything, from portraits to landscape to details. Mirrorless lenses are very light and ideal for travelling.
Bring business cards or postcards of your work with you to share. You never know who you may meet along the way. Potential future clients, friends, and other connections are always a possibility!
Take your time. For travel photographers, the journey is part of the point! Keep your eyes open and stay curious.
GEAR UP
What camera and equipment do you use most now? What’s your favourite lens? Tell us about your experience using Tamron lenses.
Marie-Louise:
I shoot with Sony equipment, and am currently using the Sony A7 III. My go-to lens until recently was the Sony Zeiss 24–70mm, although after using Tamron’s 28–200mm F/2.8 Di III RXD All-in-One Zoom, I can easily say it’s my new favourite.
The quick aperture was very useful on cloudier days with lower lighting situations. Starting at F2.8, it adjusts while zooming, to F3.5 at 50mm, F4.5 at 100mm, and so forth. I’m impressed with the range of the Tamron zoom, in addition to its speedy autofocus and super-sharp results. It was an absolute pleasure framing beautiful landscapes with every detail while on my recent travels in Tuscany.
I enjoyed taking advantage of the zoom capacity to see all the intricate ornaments on centuries-old architecture.
It's a great lens that switches easily between micro detail and landscapes.
See more of Marie-Louise Moutafchieva's work - HERE.
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