Rome-based amateur model Sofia Romano, 28, takes center stage in Issue 177, with a series of posed yet natural photos capturing her in the Eternal City’s everyday scenes. Shot by local photographer Marco Bellini, the collection features Romano in carefully crafted poses—on her apartment balcony draped with bougainvillea, outside a centuries-old bookstore, and amid the vibrant stalls of Campo de’ Fiori market—each frame blending intentionality with the city’s timeless charm.
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Bellini, who specializes in lifestyle photography, focused on creating “posed spontaneity.” “We wanted each shot to feel like a happy accident, even though we planned the angles and lighting,” he explained. Romano, a freelance tour guide with a 174cm frame, wears a mix of Italian labels like Romano & Co and vintage pieces: a flowy linen midi dress in terracotta, high-waisted linen trousers paired with a cropped cotton top, and leather sandals that complement Rome’s cobblestone streets. Her accessories—gold hoop earrings and a woven tote bag—add a touch of understated elegance.
Standout images include Romano leaning against a weathered stone wall outside the bookstore, one hand resting on a stack of leather-bound classics and the other 轻轻 brushing her dark hair back, her gaze soft but directed at the lens. Another shot shows her seated on a wooden bench at the market, a basket of fresh tomatoes at her feet, with sunlight filtering through the canopy to highlight her warm smile—posed, yet evoking the leisurely pace of a Roman morning. Her makeup, a sheer foundation with a hint of bronzer and rose-tinted lip balm, enhances her natural glow.
Romano, who started taking styled photos for her travel blog two years ago, says the shoot felt like an extension of her love for capturing Rome’s beauty. “I’ve always loved how the city’s light makes everything look magical, so we built poses around that,” she shared. The series avoids elaborate sets, instead using Rome’s iconic details—terracotta roof tiles, ivy-covered archways, and colorful market awnings—to add depth to each frame.
Readers have praised the issue for its “effortless sophistication.” Unlike overly styled fashion shoots, Romano’s poses—adjusting her tote bag, pausing to smell a bunch of fresh basil—feel like a stylish local sharing her favorite spots. “It’s about finding beauty in the routine and then framing it with a little intention,” Bellini noted. For Romano, that’s the essence of the project: “Posing isn’t about being someone else. It’s about showing the best version of yourself in the places you love.”
