WTF AM I

Born in 1982 in Livorno. By trade, I'm a fishmonger. In my free time, I walk around with a camera around my neck. That's really all there is to it.

My initial steps into art were a bit louder: at 15, I got into hip-hop culture through graffiti, and later spent years producing underground rap music. Then photography came along, though finding my way was a long and confusing process. For years, I wandered around with a camera in hand without an identity or a clear idea of what I was doing. The lightbulb finally went off when I saw a street photograph by Lorenzo Lessi. Right then, I knew: 'Alright, this is what I want to do.' From that point on, I started studying seriously, buying stack after stack of books by past and contemporary masters.

Today, I shoot simply because I get pure joy out of doing it. For me, taking pictures is the only real way to freeze moments and stop time, without having to slap deep meanings or philosophical essays on top of them. I keep the process as simple as possible: I see something that catches my eye, I shoot, and I take it home.

Beyond walking the streets, I’m also the co-organizer — alongside my friend Mario Mencacci — of the Pisa Street Photography International Festival, now in its 5th edition.

photo by Salvatore Matarazzo