Since I was a child, encouraged by my grandfather, I have focused my attention on far away countries and their peculiarities, geography, people’s cultural differences and literature. I was blown away by the pictures I would come across on books. While still a child, I started following my father on his many travels across Europe, that’s when I discovered my passion for photography and started taking my first pictures. My first camera was a Nikon F, a gift from my mother.
I was born and raised in Rome. Over the years, my passion for travel became a real modus vivendi, hand in hand with my two greatest loves: reading and writing. I couldn’t live without a notebook, my backpack sporting the national flags of all the countries I have visited so far, my camera, and the road: my faithful travel companion.
I started traveling in 1997, I moved to New York in 1999 to undertake classes at the International Center of Photography (ICP) where i studied photojournalism. I have visited more than 90 countries, with a particular preference for Asia and South America. I have worked as a freelance photojournalist and writer, following socio-historical and political events and focusing on issues such as gender violence (to which I'm working on for 15 years), war aftermaths, minorities, human rights, environment, migration, the tragic story of landmines (to which I have dedicated years of work). Then I continued studying photography in Rome, and pursued a Master in contemporary journalism.
My works have also been exhibited have also been exhibited in USA, England, Russia, Australia, India, Japan, Italy, Spain, Greece, Canada, Israel, Georgia, Switzerland, Bulgaria and in many important international festivals, earning me several awards in many prestigious competitions.
In 2022 and in 2023 I was grantee from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for my environmental longterm work "In the name of wellness" on the relation between superfood crops and the Latin American neocolonialism and my research on the effects of climate change on people and the planet.
My longterm work 'Vivir para contarlo / Live to tell' on gender violence and women’s movements fight for human rights has been awarded, among others, at the Sony World Photography Award, Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award, Days Japan International Photojournalism Award, Gomma Grant, Photon Award, Prix Visa del ANI, Kolga Awards and was selected among the finalist of the prestigious Alexia Foundation Professional Grant and Leica Oscar Barnack Award.
My stories have been featured in some of the most prominent magazines and newspapers from all over the world and I regularly collaborate with International NGOs and international magazines and newspapers such as Newsweek, Stern, Der Spiegel, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, CNN, GEO, Internazionale, L'Espresso, El Pais, El Mundo, Die Zeit, Courrier International, 6Mois, XL Semanal, Aftenposten, Mare Verlag, Revista 5W, NZZ, Io Donna, Woz, Burn Magazine, il Venerdi, La Repubblica and many others.
In 2015 I published my first photographic book ITALIANSKIJ, about the Italian community in Crimea persecuted during the Stalinian Purges.
From January 2014 to February 2017 I have collaborated with the agency Echo Photojournalism as one of the Staff photographers.
I'm currently freelance and in the last years I'm working on environmental issues related to the socio-economical consequences of neocolonialism.


One of my favorite writers, Ryszard Kapuscinski said:
"Our world, seemingly global, after all, is not that a planet of thousands and thousands of various provinces that never meet. Turn the world means moving from one province to another, each of which is a lone star that shines on their own. For most of the people who live there, the real world ends up on the doorstep, the edge of the village, at most, on the border of the valley. The world beyond is unreal, insignificant and even useless, and what they have on hand and under the eyes rises to the size of a large casino obscuring everything else. Often the inhabitants of a place and those who come from far away have difficulty finding a common language, as each of them looks the place from a different perspective: Those coming from outside using a wide angle, which reduces the image but broadens the horizon ... While the person's place has always used the Tele, if not the telescope, which magnifies the smallest details".


Worked in following countries
Albania / Argentina / Armenia / Belgium / Brazil / Bolivia / Cambodia / Canada / Chile / China / Colombia / Costa Rica / Croatia / Cuba / Cyprus / Czech Republic / Egypt / Estonia / Germany / Greece / Guatemala / Ethiopia / England / Finland / France / Holland / Honduras / Hungary / India / Indonesia / Ireland / Italy / Iran / Ivory Coast / Kazakhstan / Kenya / Kosovo / Laos / Latvia / Lithuania / Montenegro / Macedonia / Malaysia / Mexico / Moldova / Panama / Pakistan / Paraguay / Perù / Philippines / Poland / Qatar / Thailand / Turkey / Scotland / Senegal / Serbia / Singapore / Slovenia / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Tanzania / Ukraine / United States / Uruguay / Venezuela / Vietnam


Clients


Photo exhibitions and awards
Recipient of the European Journalism Fund Grant | Dec 2023
Bartur Photo Award 2023 | Nov 2023 | Shortlisted for 'In the name of Wellness'
ZOOM Photo Festival 2023 | Saguenay (Canada) 10.03.2023 - 10.29.2023 | solo exhibition 'Green gold and dry earth''
Recipient of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Grant "Your Work / Environment" | Aug 2023
Recipient of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Grant | Aug 2022
Hamburg portfolio review | Jul 2022 | Selected
International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña - 25 years of Humanitarian Photography | Paseo de Recoletos Madrid (Spain) 24.6.2022 | Winners Collective Exhibition
Kolga Award 2022 | Apr 2022 | Shortlisted for 'The Legend of the Thirsty Fruit and the Man who Dried the Earth' in the Conceptual category
Kolga Award 2022 | Apr 2022 | Shortlisted for 'The House of the Rising Sun' in the Reportage category
Kolga Award 2022 | Apr 2022 | Shortlisted for 'Blooming on the other side of the river' in the Documentary category
World Water 2022 Photo Contest | Mar 2022 | Finalist for 'The Legend of the Thirsty Fruit and the Man who Dried the Earth'
Strappi | Mastio della Cittadella Turin (Italy) 11.26.2021 - 01.16.2022 | Exhibition 'Vivir para Contarlo / Live to tell' curated by Tiziana Bonomo
International Meeting of Photography Plovdiv 2021 | Plovdiv City Art Gallery (Bulgaria) 10.16.2021 - 10.30.2021 | Solo exhibition 'Amores Perros'
Prix 6Mois du Photojournalisme 2021 | Sep 2021 | Finalist for 'Vivir para Contarlo / Live to tell'
Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2021 | Jun 2021 | Shortlisted for 'Vivir para Contarlo / Live to tell'
Krakow Photo Month 2021 | Krakow (Poland) May 2021 | Screening 'Vivir para Contarlo / Live to tell'
8th annual New York portfolio review | Mar 2021 | Selected
Visa Pour l'Image 2020 | Perpignan (France) Sep 2020 | Screening 'Vivir para Contarlo / Live to tell'
World Report Award 2020 | Lodi (Italy) Jul 2020 | Finalist for 'Ni Una Menos'
Focus on the Story Grant 2020 | First Runner-Up for 'Ni Una Menos'
Photon Festival Valencia 2020 | Valencia (Spain) 5.4.2020 - 5.12.2020 | Solo exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
Visa del ANI | Ecole del Image Les Gobelins Paris (France) 3.11.2020 | Solo exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
Alexia Foundation Professional Grant 2019 | November 2019 | Shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos'
Photo Is:rael 2019 | Tel Aviv (Israel) 11.28.2019 - 12.07.2019 | Solo exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Centro Cultural del Carbayedo Avilés (Spain) 25.10.2019 - 23.11.2019 | Winners solo exhibitions 'Ni Una Menos'
Meitar Award 2019 for excellence in photography | Tel Aviv (Israel) Oct 2019| Finalist for 'Ni Una Menos'
Visa Pour l'Image 2019 | Perpignan (France) Sep 2019 | Screening 'Ni Una Menos'
ANI prize at Visa Pour l'Image | Perpignan (France) Sep 2019 | Winner for 'Ni Una Menos'
ANI-Pix Trackk Award | Perpignan (France) Sep 2019 | Finalist for 'Ni Una Menos'
Batumi Photo Days Festival 2018 | Batumi (Georgia) Aug 2019 | Screening 'Ni Una Menos'
Photon Festival Grant | May 2019 | Valencia (Spain) | Winner for 'Ni Una Menos'
Kolga Award 2019 | Tblisi City Council (Georgia) 5.4.2019 - 5.8.2019 | Solo exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2019 | Shortlisted for 'One way ticket to hell/Desaparecidas en Democracia' in the Documentary category
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2019 | Shortlisted for 'Summer is fading Winter is coming' in the Reportage category
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2019 | Shortlisted for 'La Revoluciòn Verde' in the Mobile Photo category
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Centro Cultural del Carbayedo Sant boi de L (Spain) 25.10.2019 - 23.11.2019 | Winners solo exhibitions 'Ni Una Menos'
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Palacio Villahermosa Huesca (Spain) 01.4.2019 - 30.4.2019 | Winners solo exhibitions 'Ni Una Menos'
Gomma Grant 2018 | Feb 2019 | Winner Best Color Documentary work for 'Amores Perros'
Photo Is:rael 2018 | Tel Aviv (Israel) 11.27.2018 | Screening 'Amores Perros'
Suwon Photo Festival 2018 | Suwon (South Korea) 10.27.2018 | Screenings 'Summer is fading, Winter is coming' - 'Women of Artsakh'
ZOOM Photo Festival 2018 | Saguenay (Canada) 10.17.2018 - 11.11.18 | solo exhibition 'Ni una Menos'' ​
Direct Look Photo Contest | Sakharov Center Moscow (Russia) 10.4.2018 - 10.28.2018 | Winners solo exhibition 'Ni una Menos'
Direct Look Photo Contest Sept 2018 | 3rd prize for 'Ni Una Menos' in 'The Problem' category
Direct Look Photo Contest Sept 2018 | Shortlisted for 'Women of Artsakh' in 'The Conflict' category
Odessa / Batumi Photo Days Festival 2018 | Odessa (Ukraine) - Batumi (Georgia) Sep 2018 | Screenings 'Summer is fading, Winter is coming' - 'Women of Artsakh'
Lugano Photo Days 2018 | Jul 2018 | finalist for 'Amores Perros'
GEO ART Galerie | Berlin (Germany) 6.1.2018 | Kolga Award 2018 Winners solo exhibitions 'Amores Perros'' ​
Days Japan International Photojournalism Award 2018 | Mar 2018 | Carrot Tower 5.19.2018 - 6.10.2018 Tokyo (Japan) Winners exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2018 | 1rst prize for 'Amores Perros' in the Documentary category
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2018 | Shortlisted for 'Fuego, Tierra y Viento' in the Reportage category
Kolga Award 2018 | May 2018 | Shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos' in the One Shot category
Head On Photo Awards 2018 | Sidney (Australia) Apr 2018 | Finalist for 'Ni Una Menos'
Tokyo International Foto Awards 2018 | Apr 2018 | Winner 1rst prize in Editorial/General News category for 'Ni Una Menos'
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Centro Joaquin Roncal Zaragoza (Spain) 16.3.2018 - 07.4.2018 | Winners solo exhibitions 'Ni Una Menos'
Days Japan International Photojournalism Award 2018 | Mar 2018 | winner 2nd prize for 'Ni Una Menos'
6th annual New York portfolio review | Feb 2018 | Selected
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Palacio de Cibeles Madrid (Spain) 24.1.2018 - 11.3.2018 | Winners solo exhibitions 'Ni Una Menos'
Gomma Grant 2017 | Jan 2018 | Shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos'
XXI International Humanitarian Photography Award Luis Valtueña | Dec 2017 | Winner 3rd prize for 'Ni Una Menos'
Perugia Social Festival 2018 | Dec 2017 | Honorable mention for 'Ni Una Menos'
Lugano Photo Days 2017 | Oct 2017 | Finalist for 'Ni Una Menos'
PhotoghVphy Magazine Grant 2017 | Oct 2017 | Shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos'
Sony World Photography Awards 2017 | Villa Reale Monza (Italy) Sep 2017 | SWPA winners & finalists exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
ANI prize at Visa Pour l'Image | Perpignan (France) Sep 2017 | shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos'
Festival il Viaggialibro 2017 | Palazzo dei Consoli Gubbio (Italy) Jun 2017 - Jul 2017 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past'
Kolga Award 2017 Tblisi (Georgia) May 2017 | Winner & Finalists exhibition 'Ni Una Menos' and 'Women of Artsakh'
​Sony World Photography Awards 2017 | Somerset House London (UK) 4.28.2017 - 5.7.2017 | SWPA winners & finalists exhibition 'Ni Una Menos'
Kolga Award 2017 | May 2017 | 2nd prize for 'Ni Una Menos' in the Documentary category
Kolga Award 2017 | May 2017 | Shortlisted for 'Women of Artsakh' in the Reportage category
Sony World Photography Awards 2017 | Feb 2017 | Shortlisted for 'Ni Una Menos' in the Current Affairs & News category
​Owada Gallery | Shibuya Cultural Center Tokyo (Japan) 2.25.2017 - 2.28.2017 | TIFA winners, solo exhibition for 'The Group'
IPOTY 2016 - International Photography of the Year | Feb 2017 | Honorable mention in Editorial: Photo essay/Story for 'The Group'
Tokyo International Foto Awards 2016 | Dec 2016 | winner 2nd prize in Editorial: Politic's category for 'The Group'
Tokyo International Foto Awards 2016 | Dec 2016 | Honorable mention in Photo essay's category for 'The Group'
Foiano Fotografia Festival | Foiano della Chiana (SI) 11.4.2016 - 11.27.2016 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past'
curated by Chiara Oggioni Tiepolo and Mavi Caracuta
IPA 2016 - International Photographic Awards | Oct 2016 | Honorable Mention in Editorial: Other's category for 'Women of Artsakh'
IPA 2016 - International Photographic Awards | Oct 2016 | Honorable Mention in People: Other's category for 'Women of Artsakh'
Indian Photo Festival 2016 | State Art Gallery of Madhapur | Hyderabad (India) 9.29.2016 - 10.09.2016 | Screening 'The Group'
Indian Photo Festival 2016 | State Art Gallery of Madhapur | Hyderabad (India) 9.29.2016 - 10.09.2016 |
Screening 'Summer is fading winter is coming'
ANI prize at Visa Pour l'Image | Perpignan (France) Sep 2016 | shortlisted for 'Blooming in the Black Garden'
Auditorium San Fedele | Milano (Italy) 5.5.2016 - 6.10.2016 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past' curated by Gigliola Foschi and Mavi Caracuta
Perugia Social Festival 2016 | Museo Civico Palazzo Penna Perugia (Italy) 3.11.2016 - 3.28.2016 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past'
curated by Mavi Caracuta
International festival of Photography PHOTOVISA 2015 | Krasnodar State Institute of Culture Krasnodar (Russia) 10.15.2015 - 11.15.2015 |
solo exhibition 'Once we were soldiers'
MIFA 2015 - Moscow International Foto Awards | Oct 2015 | Winner 3rd prize in Politic's category for 'The Group'
MIFA 2015 - Moscow International Foto Awards | Oct 2015 | Honorable mention in Photo essay's category for 'The Group'
MIFA 2015 - Moscow International Foto Awards | Oct 2015 | Honorable mention in Conflict's category for 'Once we were soldiers'
Lugano Photo Days 2015 | Oct 2015 | Finalist for 'The Group'
IPA 2015 - International Photographic Awards | Sep 2015 | Honorable Mention in Deeper Perspective's category for 'The Group'
IPA 2015 - International Photographic Awards | Sep 2015 | Honorable Mention in People: Portrait's category for "Ghosts from the past"
Make your Festival 2015 | Eutropia Città dell'Altra Economia | Rome (Italy) Sep 2015 | Screening 'Indochine 2.0 - The underground revolution'
Benaki Museum | Athens (Greece) Jul 2015 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past'
8° Festival Una Penisola di Luce | Sestri Levante (GE, Italy) Jul 2015 | solo exhibition 'Italianskij' curated by Barbara Armani
Fotoleggendo Festival 2015 | Rome (Italy) Jun 2015 | Instagram collective Exhibition "#Shotastory"
Fotoleggendo Festival 2015 | Rome (Italy) Jun 2015 | Winner Instagram photographic contest #shotastory
Athens Photofestival 2015 | Jun 2015 | Shortlisted for 'Ghosts from the past'
Head On Photo Festival 2015 | Sidney (Australia) 5.1.2015 - 5.31.2015 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past' curated by Lauran Vohmann & John Slaytor
WSP | Rome (Italy) 3.28.2015 - 5.7.2015 | solo exhibition 'Ghosts from the past' curated by Mavi Caracuta
Phmuseum | Feb 2015 | Photographer of the month
Centro Italiano per la Fotografia d'Autore (CIFA) | Bibbiena (AR, Italy) 11. 29. 2014 - 3 . 15. 2015 | solo exhibition 'Italianskij'
curated by Massimo Mazzoli
Portfolio Italia 2014 - FIAF | Nov 2014 | Finalist for 'Italianksij'
Photolux Leica 2014 Award | Nov 2014 | Finalist
Lens Culture Emerging European Talents | Oct 2014 | Selected
8° Festival Una Penisola di Luce | Sestri Levante Jun 2014 | Winner second prize "Portfolio al Mare" for 'Italianskij'
Fotoleggendo Festival 2014 | Rome (Italy) Jun 2014 | solo exhibition 'Ipse Dixit' curated by Adriana Vicario Chavez
Perugia Social Photo Fest 2014 | Perugia (Italy) Jun 2014 | shortlisted for 'Ghosts from the past'
Officine Fotografiche | Rome (Italy) Mar 2013 | solo exhibition 'Ind' introduced by Laura Garofalo (TG2) and Emilio D'Itri (OF Roma)
Teatro Eliseo | Rome (Italy) 2011 | solo exhibition 'Postcards from India'
Visual Arts Gallery | New Delhi (India) 2009 | solo exhibition 'Postcards from India'
International Center of Photography (ICP) New York (USA) 2000 | collective exhibition

Published books
ITALIANSKIJ (2015) Ginevra Bentivoglio Editoria
HIP HOP STYLOGRAPHY (2016) - Cover and Photos - by Arianna Piazza ed.Il Sole 24 Ore