I photograph with intention.
It was the summer of 2008. I was standing on the deck of a ferry heading to the Lofoten Islands, in the middle of a 9,000 km road trip from home. The weather was unsettled, as I would later learn is quite common in the Arctic. Beside me stood a photographer with a massive lens, shooting with absolute focus despite the shifting light and threatening sky. He seemed completely present, fully inside that moment.
I felt like I was missing something, and that feeling stayed with me until I returned home and bought my first digital camera, a Nikon D3000.
I am a self-taught photographer, and that independence has been essential in defining who I am visually. I built my language deliberately, studying masters, refining technique, and testing ideas in the field until they became consistent and intentional.
Over the years, this approach evolved into a distinctive visual signature characterized by vibrant color, dynamic compositions, and emotional intensity, always grounded in careful planning and technical precision. What began as a personal exploration gradually became a recognizable identity, allowing my work to reach an international audience across editorial and commercial contexts.
After a photograph from Myanmar became my first cover for Lonely Planet in 2015, my work expanded to a broader global platform. Since then, my images have been published hundreds of times across international magazines, travel guides, newspapers, books, and calendars, and commissioned for campaigns by brands, marketing agencies, and private clients worldwide.
I have collaborated with publishers and organizations such as National Geographic, Lonely Planet, GEO, DK Eyewitness, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin, Daily Mail, The Guardian, NEOM, Lombardy Region, Ravensburger, among others. A curated selection of published features and covers can be found in the Tearsheets section.
Alongside my personal projects and photography journeys, I work on high-end commissioned assignments worldwide. I collaborate with tourism boards, brands, publishers, and agencies to create visual narratives aligned with clear communication strategies while preserving authenticity and atmosphere.
I also lead exclusive small-group photography journeys worldwide. Each program combines rigorous field practice with personalized mentoring focused on visual identity, narrative thinking, and disciplined observation, guiding photographers toward a more intentional and mature body of work.
Marco Bottigelli is a self-taught professional photographer, educator, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the field.
A passionate traveler, Marco has spent nearly twenty years exploring the world to capture stories of diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. Drawing inspiration from legendary travel photographers such as Art Wolfe, Steve McCurry, and Frans Lanting, he has developed a uniquely vibrant and emotional photographic style, blending meticulous planning, technical mastery, and creative vision.
Marco is regularly engaged as a leader and instructor for international photography tours and workshops, guiding groups across South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Through these immersive experiences, he teaches hands-on photography in the field, helping participants develop their skills while exploring some of the world’s most remarkable destinations.
His images regularly appear in the world’s most prestigious magazines, travel guides, calendars, newspapers, and books, and are frequently chosen by leading global marketing agencies and direct clients for high-profile campaigns. His work has been featured by renowned publishers and brands such as National Geographic, Lonely Planet, GEO, DK Eyewitness, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Michelin, Daily Mail, The Guardian, NEOM, Lombardy Region, Ravensburger, and many others.
Marco also specializes in high-end commissioned projects for private clients, brands, and tourism boards. He crafts compelling visual stories tailored to each client’s vision and communication needs, delivering impactful content for campaigns, editorial features, and destination marketing.
Combining precise shooting schedules, expert in-camera techniques, and advanced post-processing skills, Marco’s portfolio is distinguished by its vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and strong emotional impact.
