We have about 2 hours to photograph Rome. Not because we were hopping on a plane, but it is so hot and humid, 99 degrees and 60% humidity by 10:00am. Ouch! We also have a breakfast reservation set for 8:30am and I never want to miss a free breakfast. With our time limitations noted we needed to come up with a plan: photographing the Trevi Fountain while it is lit, the Spanish Steps at blue hour, the Pantheon during golden hour, and the inside of St Peter’s Basilica when it opens at 7:00. After building a Google maps walking tour, we quickly notice that the Spanish Steps is the outlier. But the Pantheon, one of my favorite buildings, is perfectly on the way. Out with the steps and in with a personal favorite. 

We need to arrive at the Trevi Fountain while it is dark to ensure the lights are on, well before sunrise which is scheduled for 6:14am. We set our alarm for 4:45am when it will be nice and dark out, perfect timing for the fountain. A quick two shots of espresso and off we go. The fountain is an 8 minute walk from our hotel.  We are in Rome during the high season, multitudes of visitors from everywhere. I am very excited to get there and photograph it with no people around. Who else would be there at such an early hour? My anticipation is piquing as we near the fountain, just around the next corner.

Ugh! There are a lot of people there doing their Instagram thing. Why is this so? Turns out they are partiers from the night before, almost 100 of them! Luckily two of Rome’s finest are there to keep the mayhem to a minimum. With some jockeying we position ourselves for some lit shots of the famous, beautiful Trevi Fountain.

Shot at 5:26am just 10 minutes after we set out.

Knowing we need to be at St. Peter’s prior to the 7:00am opening to avoid the immense crowds, we finish quickly and move off to our next stop, the Pantheon. Google maps says 8 minutes and we will be there. It was correct. And, to our great fortune, there are just a handful of people to avoid. 

Shot at 5:44am, during blue hour, still well before sunrise. The moon was out to enhance the lighting.

Our next planned stop is St Peter’s, an almost 30 minute walk. If all goes well, we will have time to photograph it from the outside, then get in line before 7. As we walk toward our goal, we notice a square with a gorgeous building. It’s down a winding alley but looks to be worth a quick diversion. As we make our way there, Maps is arguing with me that I am off route – mute is a wonderful invention. We are at “Piazza Navona” at the tail end of blue hour, golden hour is just starting.

Shot at 5:59am. The light is beautiful with the moon looking on approvingly.

Kathryn is taking shot after shot from all angles. But we have to go! Just one more she says. And we are off, time is not on our side. We walk for a few minutes and something else catches our eye – a photogenic alley. I guess we have a couple minutes to play. 

Shot at 6:06am. The repetition of the lights on the right along with repetition of the flower boxes on the left catch our eye. And the lights are still lit!

We make it to the River Tiber in just a few moments. This begins the part of our plan photographing St Peter’s Basilica from the outside. We have a river, a nice looking bridge (Ponte Umberto) and St Peter’s in the background. A triumvirate we cannot not resist.

Shot at 6:12am. ST. Peter’s Basilica looks marvelous.

We still have a bit of walking to go and Rome is warming up. Finally we reach the road to the Vatican City. And, the scene is beautiful with golden hour light just touching the basilica. Best of all there are minimal number of people. 

Shot at 6:20am. I am lucky the birds start to fly, giving my sky some visual interest as there is not a cloud to see.

It’s 6:20 and I think we will make it in time. A little more talking and some meandering, we decide queue up for entry with 20 minutes to spare. We rest, discussing our triumphs of the last hour. Then, a miracle happens in Italy, they are opening early! My first photo from inside is St. Peter’s tomb.

Shot at 7:04. St. Peter’s tomb.

Shot at 7:05. I turn around looking back at the entrance. Lots of plastic chairs which look like they don’t belong. 

Shot at 7:29am. Mass is given at one of the side alcoves. I’m not sure I should have photographed this.

shot at 7:31. Looking up can be beneficial. The churches in the mediterranean have amazing ceilings.

Shot at 7:33am. My final shot in the Basilica looks down a grand hallway. Truly amazing place.

We are wrapping up, heading for a taxi, when I spot two members of the Swiss Guard. They are  armed forces, guard of honor, and protective security unit, maintained by the Holy See to protect the Pope and the Apostolic Palace. And they have colorful uniforms.

Shot at 7:42. Normally they do not wish to be photographed, but I asked politely, and was rewarded with a curt nod.

Whew! We are done with our shoot, just a taxi ride back to our hotel for a sumptuous breakfast.  We walk through the hotel doors at 8:20am, 2 1/2 hours after we set out. Rome is now very warm, bordering on hot, a perfect time to conclude. 

I didn’t even miss the Spanish Steps. They’re just steps anyway. What do you think of our photo walk through Rome?