Interview with Gabriele Rossi | An Italian Freelance Photojournalist

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Gabriele Rossi

Gabriele Rossi is an Italian photographer whose interest lies in the aspects of society. His photography work spans social justice, human rights, conflict and contemporary issues. For Rossi, photography is a tool for denunciation, an excuse to test himself and nourish within him the desire to experience the world first-hand.

1Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Hi, my name is Gabriele Rossi and I am an Italian freelance photojournalist. Since I was a boy, I have always found some aspects of society of great interest, in particular some situations in which the protagonists were people considered marginalised by society. After seeing the documentary "The Salt of the Earth" I decided to undertake some photojournalism workshops and subsequently I realised my first projects.
2Where did you study photography?
I participated in some workshops, in particular a workshop with the photo reporter Paolo Marchetti as a teacher and one with the photo reporter Nicolò Filippo Rosso as a teacher.
3Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
The first photos I took were taken in Cambodia during a holiday with a friend of mine.
4What equipment do you use?
Nikon D850, a 24/105mm zoom lens, a 24mm prime lens and an 85mm prime lens.
5What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to give as much visibility as possible to the themes of my projects, in order to raise awareness among as many people as possible.
6What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
I don't have a specific compliment but it always makes me happy when people tell me that one of my projects or a photo has conveyed emotions to them and made them think about a certain topic.
7What inspires your unique storytelling?
I try to do a social analysis of the topics I am going to discuss.
8What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
I don't know, I find it difficult to give myself definitions, I prefer to let people do it!
9Congratulations! As the winner of the European Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Thank you! It is certainly gratifying to receive recognition for your work, especially when it is self-funded.
10Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 European Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

I tried to document violence in Honduras because this country has the second-highest murder rate in the world and because data shows that in the last 20 years, a woman has been killed every day.

I tried to analyse the fact that in Honduras natural families are often absent and for many kids, the gang replaces this absence because in it they find solidarity and a sense of belonging and this double track of ferocity and abandonment are two sides of the same coin.

Often the kids who join a gang are the product of the environment in which they live and like every human being they learn to give to life what they receive from it. Furthermore, I also focused on the violence against women that is rampant in the country especially because of a chauvinist and patriarchal culture.

11How has winning an award developed your career?
Thanks to the awards I hope to publicise myself and give greater visibility to the topics covered.
12Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Paolo Marchetti, Nicolò Filippo Rosso, and Gordon Parks.
13What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
One of the most useful pieces of advice that my master Paolo Marchetti gave me is to remember that the subjects photographed are people and not volumes to be organised within a frame and that it is important to present yourself first as a person and then as a photographer who practices his profession.
14What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
On a practical level, I would recommend taking courses organised by professional photographers and I would also say to look deeply into yourself to understand the reasons why you would like to do this job.
15What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Work hard, be brave and don't give up!

Winning Entry

LACRIME E PROIETTILI | European Photography Awards

The violence in Honduras is similar to that experienced in war zones. This country has one of the highest rates of deaths from firearms in the world and is one of the countries in the world... (read more here.)


Gabriele Rossi

Gabriele Rossi is an Italian photographer whose interest lies in the aspects of society. His photography work spans social justice, human rights, conflict and contemporary issues. For Rossi, photography is a tool for denunciation, an excuse to test himself and nourish within him the desire to experience the world first-hand.


Read about the interview with Abed Halawi | Capturing Timeless Charms from the Netherlands here.

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