Stefano Guindani is a celebrity photographer and international fashion photo-journalist with an enormous passion for urban and social reportage.

In 1998, he founded his own agency, SGP Stefano Guindani Photo, a young collaboration ranging from editorial services to covering events for internationally renowned fashion houses.

Among his most important clients are Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Bulgari, Valentino, Diesel, Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Mini, BMW, Salvatore Ferragamo and Max Mara.

Valeria Orlando has been working for 20 years, collaborating with leading photographers including Mario Testino, Steven Klein, Johan Rench, Eolo Perfido, Andrea Massari, Nikolay Biryukov, Stefania Paparelli, Benedikt Renc and Andeer Brogard.

She has lived in Milan, Rio, and London while maintaining Rome as her home, and her work has been published in a range of notable fashion magazines. Valeria's work ranges from make-up and hair for fashion shows, editorials, advertising, beauty and catwalk events to make-up styling for celebrities including Donatella Versace and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Valeria is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese and approaches her work with honesty and passion. She is continually updating and learning new techniques to further her knowledge in the industry.

Valeria is internationally represented by Spectacular Studios (Sweden) and Beleza (Rio). In Italy she works with GreenApple, Atomo Management, Sudest 51 and SieProduction.

Valeria will soon launch her own make-up line V) Or, available from her website. Since September 2012, she has been represented in the USA by Current Studio.

Shoot in The Alps is a film and photo facilitating company operating in the European Alps. With the region straddling five national borders the company works between France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia as if they were a single geographic entity.

The company's database includes year-round snow locations, mountain chalets, modern architecture, extreme sports locations, magical forests and breathless scenery that it can make accessible to any crew.

Providing solutions to every possible logistical need for film and photo productions, Shoot in the Alps handles everything from location scouting, specialised crews, stunt people, mountain safety experts and helicopters, to warm cups of espresso at the top of a glacier. Its strength lies in detailed knowledge of the alpine territory provided by a network of professionals who live and work in the region throughout the year.

The company's connections and expert knowledge allows clients to make the right decisions when planning, choosing locations and the equipment required.

Welcome to the latest issue of Showcase Italy, brought to you by Production Paradise. We highlight the very best of the Italian visual media industry and, as usual, more information can be found in our dedicated Photo and Film directories for Milan, Rome and other important production cities around Italy.

Be sure to check out our featured events:

• Milan Women's Fashion Week, 20th - 26th February.
• Photoshow Milan, 22nd - 25th March 2013, Italy's leading trade event everything related to photography.
• Milan Design Week, Salone Internazionale del Mobile, 9th - 14th April, Top Design event in Milan.
• Steve Mccurry exhibition, until 24th February in Genoa. 
• Guy Bourdin exhibition, until 10th March in Florence.
• A Century Of Photography at Condè Nast Archive, until 7th April in Milan.

Our cover image was shot by Stefano Moro Van Wyk.

Ivan Basso is a 3D photographer based in Milan. In 1997, he began work as a CGI artist and 3D animator, collaborating with leading creative agencies and post production crews. Over the years he has contributed his creative passion and great attention to detail to many successful projects.

As a virtual automotive photographer he has created images for use in catalogues, press conferences and ADV campaigns for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Iveco and Maserati, providing a complete high-end service from CAD data acquisition to final digital retouching.

Allucinazione is where photography, commercials and studio shoots happen in central Rome. The company provides complete production services, including equipment rental, assistants and digitec, location scouting and casting services for clients from Italy or abroad. Allucinazione is an international all English and Italian speaking staff.

The studio is divided into different working spaces, including a production area, a 10x7x3,7m limbo, a make-up and dressing room and a central garden that leads to the post production room. The entire studio has Wi-Fi Internet.

Clients Include Edison, Bulgari, Honda Motors Europe, Telecom Italia, Telethon, Poste Italiane, Lottomatica, RCS and Condé Nast.

Valentina Socci is an advertising photographer specialising in interiors, still life and fashion portraiture. She is based between Milan and Los Angeles, where she runs her own studio.

Valentina began her career assisting some of the world’s leading photographers in Milan and New York. She loves working in a team and has an excellent ability to understand and respond to the needs of her clients.

She has worked for major Italian companies including North Sails, Malo Cachemire, Mastro Raphael and Astra Make-Up.

Visit her website for more images.

Max & Douglas have worked together since 1998, the year they finished the IED in Milan. Thanks to an original and well-defined style, they immediatly started working in advertising for clients such as Sony, Invicta, Telecom Italia, Philips, Adidas, Belfe and Mitsubishi.

In 2000 the pair began a partnership with Grazia Neri Photo Agency, shooting for leading magazines such as Max, Sportweek, L’Equipe, GQ, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Raiders, FHM and Wired.

In 2002 they hosted their first personal exhibition 'MTV Stills' - portraits of every vee-jay on music television. Another exhibition followed in 2006 at the Hilton Hotel in Milan entitled 'Sports' - featuring a huge collection of men and women in sport.

They currently live and work in Milan under the auspices of Contour (Getty Images), travelling around Europe and Asia for leading magazines and advertising agencies.

Lupetta 5 & BelowTheLine is a full production service company and one of the most prestigious location agencies in Italy.

Lupetta 5 staff support clients and production companies in any production request for films, commercials, photo shoots, videos, documentaries and events.

The company's photographic location archive is one of the largest in Europe and can offer a wide choice of spectacular locations in Italy and across the continent, as well as immediate feedback on availability.

Don't hesitate to contact the office to discuss projects and ideas.

Milan-based freelance photographer Mariacristina Vimercati specialises in portraits, fashion (men and kids), reportage and advertising photography.

Recent projects include Sportweek Magazine 2011, 70/70 Horovitz NYC, Offucina Eclectic Arts 2011, Uno Stradivari per la Gente - Villa Gnecchi Ruscone 2011, Domus Magazine, Inter Abbonamenti season tickets, Verve International Review, Lavazza Espression, Décor Living Magazine, Geox Respira global campaign.

Clients and publications include Lavazza, Geox Respira, Ferrero, Inter Abbonamenti, Max Mara, Myself (Condè Nast), Elle Italia, Casa Vogue, Uomo Vogue, UOMO (ed. Futura), DDN Design International, GB Progetti (ed.Progetti), Verve Magazine, Io Donna (Rizzoli), Max (Rizzoli), Capital (Rizzoli), and Sportweek (Rizzoli).