Monday evening we land with about 20min delay in Rome. Laura & I decide to take an expensive taxi instead of going in search of the right train and missing even more of the welcome party. Everyone sprints briefly to their accommodation and they meet again at the Hotel Ripa for an aperitif. A flurry of photographers from all over the world, including some familiar faces from their own region. The world is a village.

The next morning we see each other again surprisingly quickly; six o’clock in the morning at the famous Colosseum, because we have little time in Rome and do not want to miss anything. For this I even ignore my late riser genes.

Around 08:30 the official part of the WayUp North begins. Cinema Troisi is like a buzzing beehive full of photographers.

For two days, we should now be inspired, even literally infected by lectures by other photographers, service providers and new acquaintances.

Accompanied by good food, fantastic weather and like-minded people, the WayUpNorth becomes the epitome of “la dolce Vita”, its official motto.