FRAGMENTS FROM 2025: EACH PHOTOGRAPH IS A PIECE OF TIME.

This year, I travelled non-stop, exploring diverse corners of Europe and capturing unique moments in every place I visited. I carefully selected a few images that reflect the atmosphere, emotions, and stories of each location. I invite you to join my visual journey and discover the beauty and diversity of Europe through my eyes.

1-Paris, September 2025: A Juxtaposition in a Day of Chaos

It was an exhausting day in Paris; I had just wrapped up an intense workshop. When I saw the chaos unfolding in the city, the participants decided to head back to the hotel, but I chose to keep photographing so I wouldn’t miss this significant event.

I was tired, but my curiosity and the urge to capture the moment pushed me forward. I immersed myself in the turmoil of the protests, where the tension was almost tangible.

In the midst of this chaos, I spotted a woman at a window, lost in thought. It was a perfect juxtaposition between her calmness and the uproar outside. I gently nudged a videographer aside to make space and took a single shot. In that instant, the scene ended, and she was gone from the window, leaving me with a fleeting memory.

After I posted the photo on social media, I later discovered that the woman was actually Francesca Schianchi, a well-known journalist.

2- The Kingboxer from Lisbon

Along the riverbank in Lisbon, as I was exploring the scenery, I noticed an athletic boy, a true kingboxer, playing with his family on the grass. Watching him, I thought how amazing it would be to capture this moment. I suggested taking a photo that would preserve the memory over time. Encouraging him to express his kingboxing moves by the water’s edge, with the bridge in the background, I captured every detail with a 24mm lens. This photograph became more than just an image; it was about the courage to approach someone and encourage them to be genuine.

3-The Man from London: A Fleeting Moment

On a gloomy day in London, I spotted a hurried man smoking a pipe, walking quickly toward me. Everything happened in an instant, and I had only a few seconds to capture the moment. Every detail mattered, and in the end, I managed to capture the essence of that moment, using my favourite gear: the Leica Q2 with a 28mm lens.

4-The Innocent Moment from Turin

On an ordinary day in Turin, as I walked past a window, I spotted a couple laughing and enjoying each other’s company. In an instant, I saw them sharing a kiss, and their atmosphere captivated me. I asked them to repeat the moment because I felt a genuine connection, and the setting, along with the reflection in the glass, perfectly completed the scene.

I have a project in which I capture couples kissing in every city I visit, and this scene from Turin was perfect. Everything felt spontaneous, on a street where I hadn’t expected to find anything, yet I discovered this moment. Once again, with my favourite lens, the 28mm. Sometimes I use a 28mm, but it’s not about the equipment; it’s about the moment and how you interpret it, how you, as a photographer, connect with people. I manage to connect with people very well and authentically.

5-The Man from Rome with Bin Laden Tattooed on His Back

After leaving a certain area in Rome, I simply spotted him standing there, arms raised, his T-shirt lifted, revealing that tattoo. When I saw that tattoo, along with the scene and the buildings behind him, I thought, “I have to photograph this.” I crossed the street without a second thought, ignoring the heavy traffic and the cars zooming by. I ran through the traffic, risking an accident, but in those moments, I didn’t really care. I know such scenes won’t repeat themselves, and you won’t find them again the next day. It was a moment I wanted to capture, and I did, because for me, it’s all about those unique, unrepeatable moments.

I didn’t stage this; I was with my workshop group in Rome, and seeing that scene, I knew it might be one of the last photographs I’d take there. And so it was, because that’s how it goes: moments are there, but we have to see them. For me, I want to preserve that photograph, because there’s a bit of history in it.

I used a 50mm lens for that scene, capturing every detail with precision.

6-The Surprise of the Antwerp Basketball Player

On an unexpected afternoon in Antwerp, I stumbled upon a surprising scene. As I heard the sound of the basketball bouncing and saw the player training, I was drawn in. Without expecting anything special, I decided to approach him and start a conversation. With my wide lens, I captured the dynamic energy of the moment. We chatted briefly, and I let him continue his training while I focused on my photography.

7-The Little Gangsters of Istanbul

On the streets of Istanbul, on an unexpected day, two children approached me playing with two toy guns. They pretended to shoot and made playful gangster gestures. When I asked them who they wanted to ‘shoot’, they smiled and said they were just playing. I told them to point their guns upwards, and I documented the scene, reminiscing about my own childhood when we also played with toy guns. This image captures a powerful irony: behind these children, two kittens play innocently, highlighting the innocence of childhood. For me, this photograph holds an emotional depth, reminding me how fragile and innocent childhood is. As they grow up, they will understand that weapons are not a game.

8-Layers of Life in Palermo

In Palermo, as we paused on a street corner, a man was grilling, and to the left, a couple was enjoying the moment. Suddenly, an elderly man stopped beside me, waving his hand, and I thought, ‘This could be an interesting scene.’ With one subject in front of me and another on the side, I envisioned placing the old man’s hand into the frame. I knew that I needed one more strong character to complete the composition. And then it happened: the scene unfolded almost effortlessly. This is the beauty of photography: you intuitively build a scene from almost nothing, carefully layering each element to create a compelling story. It wasn’t about a grand location; it was just a normal street with normal people. But with care and attention, you can craft something truly captivating. That’s why I love this photograph: it started with a single subject and gradually came together, element by element, in less than a minute.

9-The Ghost of Paris on Halloween

On Halloween night in Paris, the tradition isn’t as strong as in other places, and I was desperately searching the streets, thinking, ‘I must find something Halloween-related.’ Hope seemed slim, but at one end of a bridge, I noticed a couple taking photos. I asked if I could photograph them, and they agreed. But I thought, ‘It’s too simple to capture just one person in a Halloween costume holding a pumpkin.’ So, I decided to wait for another character and create another layer using slow motion, giving the impression of a ghost. I kept shooting, waiting for people to pass by, and eventually, the scene I had envisioned unfolded before my eyes. This is what I mean: often, the best scenes happen right where you are; you just need to see them and capture them in the moment, transforming them into a photograph that becomes a lasting memory.

10-The Woman at the Window in Venice

On a sunny day in Venice, I spotted a woman at her window, cleaning the glass. The scene captivated me, not just because of her presence, but also because of the house’s colour and the juxtaposition with the image of Christ below. It’s one of my favourite photographs, capturing a unique moment that can never be repeated. I travel a lot and take many photos, but not all are meant to be preserved. This one, however, I include in my top collection for 2025. It’s about the observation, the subtle layers you add by stepping back and seeing beyond the obvious. It’s a moment where simplicity meets depth, and the addition of another layer—like the image of Christ—makes it truly special.

In conclusion:

This year, 2025, has been incredibly intense, and I’ve travelled a lot, photographing extensively. It’s really difficult for me to create a top selection of images, because there are so many, and often I forget them or don’t have the patience to carefully select them. That’s why I’ve chosen just ten images that always stay in my memory. Thank you to everyone who has been with me on my journeys, who has participated in my workshops, and who will continue to do so. I promise that next year I will travel even more, photograph even more, and continue documenting Europe. Keep the dream alive!