About

There are three key words that can be used to describe not only Francesco’s work, but also his personal life: versatility, passion and craftmanship. Born in Genoa in 1977, he gains a Bachelor in Natural Science and ends up working in IT field.

His interest in photography starts very early, after attending a basic course with Patrizia Lanna in 1988, when Francesco was still a teenager. Few years later, he begins to work in a photo studio in the Italian Alps, in Val d’Aosta, during the summer season, where he becomes familiar with portraits and sports photography.

With the years he commence to be more concerned in documentary photography, and as a result of this new interest is Francesco’s first complete work, a digest called “De la vache a la Fontine” ( From the cow to the fontina cheese), a project completely dedicated to the making of Fontina cheese which gained  first prize as the best portfolio in a Fiaf – Portfolio Italia (Italian Photography Federation) festival called “Una penisola di luce”.

Thanks to Francesco carefull look on working life, he starts to collaborate with Servizi Italia SpA, an industrial laundry company, and with Dpsonline,a web agency, he realise a photography book entitled “Nei nostri panni” (In our shoes), a reportage based on both company and workers history from the early 30’s to our days.

One year later some of his pictures taken in the former Jugoslavian block are shown in a book (publisher Dpsonline) and in exhibition (curated by Top Market) called  “Bosnia: three stories to tell about a land”, which testifies the memorial cerimony for the restitution and the burial of dead bodies found in mass grave in Srebrenica to their families.

Gradually, food becomes Francesco’s main interest: his aim is to investigate its much aspect, every shades, even the darkest ones, like those regarding eating disorders. Under these premises the project called “Mirror of souls” comes to life, and in 2015 is shown within the exposition “Intimi nutrimenti” held in Genoa,in Palazzo Rosso Museum. In 2016 the picture entitled “Anoressia” (Anorexia) is selected as finalist at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year contest, and is first exposed at the Mall Galleries in London and successively in the photography center 6×6 in Limassolo, Cyprus.

But it is with the “Upstream cods” project that Francesco completely changes his perspectives towards food. This work, realised together with Marco Tomassini, describes the entire stockfish production chain, but from its very ending: from the consumers’ plates passing throught the different importers to the end of this journey in Norway, in Lofoten Islands, where cod is caught and processed. In 2016 this performance turns into a book titled “The codfish tale” published by Tormena and then selected for the Screening section at Food Photo Festival in Denmark in 2017.

Still in 2016 he completes for Sagep publisher a photo book that illustrates the Ligurian regional territory through niche products like local variety of hazelnuts and the plates created by Chef Marco Visciola from Marin restaurant in Eataly, Genoa. From this series of pictures the photo about recipie “Rana pescatrice in zuppetta di nocciole” has been printed in the book titeled “L’enciclopedia della Nocciola” published by Mondadori in 2019. 

The discovery of “Bianchetta Genovese” (a local variety of wine) leads Francesco to analyze a higlhy delicate subject as racial integration. This photographic project whish is to underline like the hard work of a group of inmigrants, along with the knowledge of winemaking held by few local wine producer, could lead to social and economic benefits for both the territory and these people, willing to learn knowledge in farming in order to establish a future profession. In 2017 in cooperation with Enoteca Regionale Ligure the project turned into a book named “La Bianchetta Genovese”. In 2018 this performance turns into a new book titled “Bianchetta Genovese” published by dpsonline; the book is a part of the series named Parsley edition.

From the cooperation with Paolo Tegoni comes “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo”. It will take you on a journey of discovery of a legendary and imaginative wine that has been produced and flowing for centuries in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and named after the Greek peninsula of Monemvasia, in Laconia, where the Ionian and Aegean seas meet: Malvasia. Intense research work on the methods, traditions, and stories of winemakers from different parts of the Mediterranean who have been carrying on the production of more than just wine for a few years or entire generations will enable us to deliver to you a veritable itinerant breviary consisting of numerous stages and carefully composed, with photographs, interviews, literary and travel cues, maps and gastronomic suggestions. In 2022 this performance turns into a book promoted by Terrae.

Francesco’s reportages are concieved as a way to know better some aspects of reality, which are often unseen, maybe beacuse of the fact that are considered too simple or not enough mainstream. (written by Delia Peccetti)

2019:

Bianchetta Genovese CIVediamo a Cornigliano, Centro Civico Cornigliano, Genova

PinkLady food photographer of the year, Mall Galleries, Londra.

Migrazioni: una molteplicità di esperienze, Palazzo Reale (Genova).

2018:

Alla ricerca dell’umanità: l’esperienza religiosa, Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti (Genova).

2017:

From the North Sea to Unesco vineyards, Barbera Fish festival, Agliano terme (Asti).

Pop Eat Nutriamo il Borgo, Castel Nuovo Magra (La Spezia).

FOODPHOTO festival Screening, Vejle, Denmark.

2016:

PinkLady food photographer of the year, 6×6 Centre For Photography, Limassol, Cipro.

PinkLady food photographer of the year, Mall Galleries, Londra.

Regine & Re di Cuochi, Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi, Nichelino (Torino).

2015:

Barbera fish festival, Agliano Terme (Asti).

Intimi Nutrimenti, Museo Palazzo Rosso, Genova.

2014:

Bosnia Tre storie per raccontare una terra, at Gulasch festival Palazzo Fieschi, Genova.

Bosnia Tre storie per raccontare una terra, Top Market via Cecchi 69B r, Genova.

2013:

Conversazioni Fotografiche, Galleria Spazio 23, Genova.

2012:

Io Pretendo Dignità, Palazzo della Regione, Genova.

La forza delle Donne, Cerruti Arte Gallery, Genova.

Diversità ed Uguaglianza, Ex Ospedale Soave, Codogno (Lodi).

Una penisola di Luce, Palazzo Fasce, Sestri Levante (Genova).

Anima Mundi, Sala Consiliare, Celle Ligure (Savona).

2011:

Reporter, Festival della Scienza, Genoa Port Center, Genova.

Reporter, Sua Altezza, Lanterna di Genova.

Immagin’azione, Museo Sant’Agostino, Genova.

2023:

PinkLady food photographer of the year, shortlisted.

2019:

PinkLady food photographer of the year, finalist.

2017:

FOODPHOTO festival, Screening selection.

2016:

PinkLady food photographer of the year, finalist.

2015:

Shoot your port, special mention.

2011:

Una penisola di luce, best portfolio.

 2023

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Degusta (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on I Grandi Vini (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Il Coquinario (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Turismo Italia news (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Italian Wines and Spirits (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Grandi Storie di Piccoli Borghi (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Fourchette ou Baguettes (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Turismo del Gusto (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on L’Adigetto (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Agricoltura.it (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Udite Udite (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Virtu’ Quotidiane (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Virtu’ Quotidiane (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Vini e Vino (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Convivium 2000 (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Enocibario (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Egnews (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Style Legends (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on France Pizza (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Unione Ristoranti Buon Ricordo (here)

A new item about the book “Malvasia, un diario mediterraneo” on Il Golosario (here)

Pictures realizad for Trattoria il Rosmarino on Michelin Guide (here).

2022

Pictures for the article Ventotto assaggi a Il Marin di Genova per certificare che Marco Visciola è sempre più bravo on identità golose (here).

2021

Picture for the article La mitica storia della Bianchetta Genovese on Basilico.it (here)

Pictures used for the article Il Marin soffia sempre più forte on Fuori magazine (here)

Pictures used for the article Frollatura del pesce, fermentazioni e cotture Kamado: Marco Visciola e la sperimentazione del mare al Marin di Genova on Reporter Gourmet (here)

Pictures realiazed for the article Il Marin: a Genova, dove la cucina ligure diventa contemporanea on Vanity Fair (here)

Pictures realized for the article Genova per noi Cuochi on Italia Squisita (here)

2020:

Pictures realizad for the article Miracolo a Genova: la cucina ligure diventa contemporanea on La Cucina Italiana (here)

Cover Image and review about Bianchetta Genovese on L’Assaggiatore (here)

Pictures for the article Liguria stockfish stew: recipe and some stories on A small Kitchen in Genoa (here)

Pictures for the article Ristorante il Marin: Vento di Passione on City Lights News (here)

Article about the book Bianchetta Genovese on Il Secolo XIX (here)

Picures for the article How Dried Cod Became a Norwegian Staple and an Italian Delicacy on Atlas Obscura (here)

Interview about the project Bianchetta Genovese on Il Secolo XIX by Licia Casali (here)

2019:

Picture for the book Enciclopedia della Nocciola (here)

Pictures for the article Elogio al pesto, re dell’ultimo appuntamento degli eventi “Sinergie” on Colours of Sicily (here)

Pictures for the article La (ri)nascita di un vino diverso on Liguria Food (here)

Pictures for the article Il Lambrusco eroico di Vittorio Graziano: la leggenda dell’enologia naturale on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

Interview regarding my latest works realized by Spazio 23 Fotografia contemporanea (here)

Zena A Toua speaks about the project Bianchetta Genovese (here)

Pictures realized for HB Menu in cooperation with Mochi Design (here)

Bianchetta Genovese, dpsonline publisher, May 2019 (here)

Slowfish: interview about the book The Codfish Tale (here)

2018:

Pictures for Don Cola ADV Campaign in cooperation wth Mochi Design (here)

Picture for the article I migliori cocktail di Genova, sei locali da provare on Puntarella Rossa (here)

Picture for the article Trattoria dell’Acciughetta Genova, resistenza in via Prè con lo chef Vesuviano tra polpo fritto e gelato all’acciughetta on Puntarella rossa (here)

Pictures for the article L’autoctono degli autoctoni la Bianchetta Genovese on Liguria Food (here)

Pictures for the book MAM Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere (here)

Pictures for the Book Geodiversità dei Vigneti Liguri (here).

Article Acciughe, focaccia e pesto per salutare la rassegna del cibo ligure on Liguria Wine Magazine (here).

Pictures for the article Dal mare della Norvegia l’eccellenza dello Stoccafisso on Italia a Tavola (here).

La Bianchetta Genovese, dpsonline publisher, May 2018 (here).

Picture for the article Quali pesci preferire in estate nel versante Tirreno Nord. I consigli di: Enrico Marmo, Davide Cannavino e Valentino Cassanelli on Gambero rosso. (here)

Article Assaggia la Liguria approda a Mele (GE) on Liguria Wine Magazine. (here)

Pictures for the article Cucina e Cocktail a braccetto a Casa Maticrak on Ristoranti redazione. (here)

Picture for the article Casa Maticrak Genova on  L’Espresso. (here)

Article about VinNatur event in Genova on Liguria Wine Magazine. (here)

Pictures for the article Il Valpolcevera di Coronata e la rinascita di un’intera valle on Liguria Wine Magazine. (here)

Eurocarni magazine cover image. (here)

2017:

Pictures for the article Gusto Galantuomo: com’ è la nuova Meridiana di Davide Cannavino on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

Article about Non solo Stoccafisso event on Liguria Wine magazine. (here)

Article about Critical Wine event on Liguria Wine magazine. (here)

Pictures for the article Da Carlo Macelleria a Marassi on Euro Carni. (here)

Pictures for the article Levante al centro: a Chiavari il Boccon Divino di Israel Feller on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

Article about the project Bianchetta Genovese on Il Secolo XIX. (here)

Video about the first grape harvest of a local wine named Bianchetta Genovese realized by refuges on the TV channel Primocanale. (here)

Article about the project Upstream Cods on Liguria Food (here).

Article about the project A taste of Asia on Palatifini Blog. (here)

Article about the book The Codfish Tale on Il Pesce. (here)

Article about the project Mirror of Soul on Palatifini Blog. (here)

Article about the project De la vache à la fontine on Palatifini Blog. (here)

Pictures for the article Guida essenziale al Preboggión on Papille Clandestine. (here)

Pictures for the article La ristorazione genovese: non solo pesto e focaccia on Agrodolce. (here)

Article about the book The codfish tale on Papille Clandestine. (here)

Pictures from the project Mirror of Soul on Papille Clandestine. (here)

A new item about the book The codfish tale on Moda a colazione. (here)

Pictures for the article 5 cose che forse non sai sul vermouth on Papille Clandestine. (here)

Pictures for the article Il Marin: balcone gourmet sulla Liguria on Il Golosario. (here)

Pictures for the article Ristoranti a Genova: la nuova cucina ligure di Marco Visciola a Il Marin on The Tasy Ways. (here)

2016:

Article about the book The codfish tale on La Repubblica. (here)

Article about the book The codfish tale on Armadillo Bar. (here)

The codfish tale – Stoccafisso e Baccalà, Tormena publisher, October (here)

Interview about book presentation The codfish tale at Eataly Genoa by Licia Casali (here)

Picture about the project Upstream Cods on the paper Il Secolo XIX. (here)

Picture for the article Baccalà, riduzione di Parmigiano Reggiano, cipolle rosse stufate on Sale & Cucina. (here)

Pictures for the article Il guazzetto 2.0 di Visciola on Identità Golose. (here)

Picture for the article Marco Visciola | Cappon Magro 2.0 on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

Pictures for the article Moschee aperte: un laboratorio sulla convivenza on Che Fare. (here)

Pictures for the article Genova città aperta: la sorpresa di Marco Visciola al Marin on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

2015:

Pictures for the article Davide Cannavino e la Voglia Matta di un’altra Liguria on Reporter Gourmet. (here)

Picture for the article Cous Cous e arance rosse per la festa dell’amicizia on Il Secolo XIX. (here)

Picture for the article about Moschee aperte event on Il Secolo XIX. (here)

Article about Upstream Cods at Barbera Fish Festival on La Stampa. (here)

Article about the project Upstream Cods on GAL – Agenzia Sviluppo Genovese. (here)

2014:

Article about the project Upstream Cods on Dpsonline blog. (here)

Images for the Itinera s.p.a catalogue, Dpsonline publisher.

2013:

Images for the article Esclusiva qualità artigianale on A+D+M Magazine, nr.45, September.

Nei nostri panni – dagli anni Trenta ad oggi, Dpsonline publisher, April. (here)

2012:

Article about the project De la Vache à la Fontine on Witness Journal, nr. 48, April. (here)

Article about the project The Postman point of view on Positive Magazine, February. (here)