Ah, Venice—the city of water, light, and... originality? Or perhaps not.

Back in 2009, I had a bold idea: to create something truly unique—a photography walk through Venice, blending the magic of this timeless city with my years of experience as a professional photographer. And so, the original photo walk was born. Yep, that was me. The first. The trailblazer. The inventor. The Original of Venetian photo tours.

And then, as if by magic (or Ctrl+C), similar tours began to pop up like polenta in boiling water. Coincidence? I think not.

It’s not just the concept they’ve borrowed. Oh no, they’ve gone all-in:

• The 3-hour format? That was me. The perfect amount of time to explore, shoot, and not lose your mind. Now? Everyone’s a 3-hour fan. Not 2.5, not 3.5. Just 3. So original.

• When I created the 2-hour tour, I thought, “This will be great for those short on time.” And suddenly, voilà! Like clockwork, the clones arrive, offering the same thing.

• And here’s the kicker: no one even bothers with 1-hour, 4-hour, or 3.5-hour options. Apparently, it’s either my way or the highway. Who knew I was so persuasive?

The Copy-Paste Epidemic
I can almost picture them, hunched over their keyboards, thinking, “Why reinvent the wheel when Marco’s already done the hard work?” From the phrasing of their descriptions to the timing of their tours, the sheer dedication to borrowing is, dare I say, inspiring. Some of them don’t even bother rewording. I mean, come on—at least give ChatGPT a try.

A Word to My Dear Clients:
When you join one of my tours, you’re getting more than just a walk with a guy holding a camera. You’re stepping into a curated experience crafted from years of exploring Venice’s backstreets, golden-hour secrets, and yes, the occasional gondola dodge. You’re getting the original—unfiltered, uncut, and unapologetically authentic.

To the Copycats:
Look, I get it. Venice inspires everyone. But here’s the thing: originality? That’s the real currency of creativity. You might copy my words, my timing, even my formats, but you can’t replicate the passion, the personality, or the decades of expertise that make my tours special. So please, do yourself (and your clients) a favor: find your own voice. And maybe—just maybe—consider adding a 3.5-hour tour while you’re at it. You know, mix it up a little.

To Everyone Else:
Thanks for sticking with me—the one and only. Whether it’s a photo walk, a workshop, or just a quick chat over a spritz, I’ll keep doing what I do best: crafting moments, telling stories, and helping you capture the magic of Venice.

Let’s keep chasing the light (and dodging the gondola traffic) together.

Yours authentically,
Marco

P.S. To the copycats: I’ll say it again—buy me a coffee first. Or a spritz. It’s the least you could do. Cheers!