About Me

Marco Ripa standing on a sandy ocean beach with his camera. Travel and commercial photographer capturing visual stories on location.

The Journey & Vision

Visual storytelling is about capturing the true essence of a moment before it slips away. With over four decades of international experience, I bring an unwavering work ethic, sharp spatial awareness, and absolute field discipline to every photography and short-form video assignment.

My background managing high-pressure environments—from international resort kitchens in the Maldives to high-ranking institutional roles—built the absolute rigor I stand for today. By combining this discipline with a sharp eye for unscripted hospitality, food, and travel moments, I create immersive stories that truly resonate with premium brands worldwide.

Core Disciplines

  • Wildlife & Wilderness: High-precision photography documenting natural habitats and wildlife with technical accuracy and patience
  • Outdoor Action & Coastal Sports: Capturing fast-moving motion, surf, and ocean action with split-second focus.
  • Commercial Hospitality & Culinary Art: Atmospheric visual coverage tailored for eco-resorts, boutique venues, and premium culinary storytelling

What Industry Peers Say

Headshot of the General Manager at The Barefoot Eco Hotel in the Maldives. Client testimonial for resort and luxury hospitality photography.

General Manager The Barefoot Hotel Maldive

Marco brought an exceptional combination of F&B expertise and visual mastery to our resort. He understood the rhythm of our kitchens and the unique soul of our eco-resort, translating it into stunning commercial assets that perfectly captured the high-end barefoot luxury experience for our global audience.

Founder Manager Gustare con Arte Italia

Working with Marco changed how we showcase our culinary identity. Thanks to his background as a professional chef, he didn’t just photograph our dishes; he staged the emotion behind our menu, elevating our visual branding and social media engagement to a whole new level.

Portrait of the founder of Gustare con Arte Italia at a dining table. Client endorsement for culinary art and food branding photography.
Black and white portrait of the founder of Trattoria Pegaso in Italy. Client review highlighting atmospheric restaurant and venue photography.

Founder Manager Trattoria Pegaso Italia

Marco brought a sharp professional lens to our venue. His deep understanding of restaurant dynamics and spatial awareness allowed him to capture the authentic warmth of our atmosphere. His refined visuals became essential assets for our promotional media and publication-ready stories.

Technical Gear & Field Equipment

To ensure publication-ready image quality and maximum field versatility under demanding conditions, I rely on professional full-frame mirrorless gear and dedicated optics:

Primary Camera System: Nikon Z6 II High-Speed Full-Frame Mirrorless & Nikon D5300 DX DSLR.

Fast Primes & Core Lenses: NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 & NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 (ideal for low-light culinary storytelling, atmospheric portraits and natural depth-of-field).

Standard & Mid-Range Telephoto: NIKKOR 24-105mm f/4 & NIKKOR 70/200mm f/2.8 (ideal for resort spaces, interior architecture, high-speed action sports and compression-rich storytelling.

Super Telephoto Optics: AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR for long-range wildlife and coastal sports, Nikon PROSTAFF P3 optics

Motion & Video: High-bitrate 4K short-form video for digital publications, restaurant reels, and editorial social media campaigns.

Field Assignments & Global Mobility

Available for international editorial assignments, premium hospitality projects and media campaigns worldwide.

🇦🇺 Sydney, Northern Rivers & NSW Field Assignment: October 18 – November 30, 2026

🇪🇸 Andalusia Cultural & Field Expedition: May – June 2027