Bio

In Memory of Giuseppe Simone Aielli (1966 – 2024)

Giuseppe Simone Aielli was born in central Italy in 1966 and began his journey in photography at the age of thirteen. After a long interruption, he reignited his passion in 2010, contributing to stock photography agencies such as Getty Images and Shutterstock. Over time, he transitioned from stock photography to reportage, with some notable examples in the "Lost + Found" section, before ultimately embracing a more personal and reflective style of visual storytelling.

His photographic endeavors often coincided with his hiking adventures, a practice he had been deeply immersed in since his "VIA degli DEI" project. Whether walking alone or with a few trusted companions—one of whom was often his son, Leonardo—Giuseppe’s images captured the raw beauty of his surroundings, never perfect, but always authentic. This was partly due to the grueling nature of his hikes (20-30 km/day over 10-20 days), but also because his focus was not on technical perfection, but on the emotional depth of each frame.

During his work on the reportage "La neve di Rigopiano," Giuseppe made the difficult decision to step away from documenting hard-hitting events. He realized that even though he felt deeply connected to such tragedies, particularly when they occurred near his home, conveying the raw truth of these moments was an immense challenge.

Giuseppe’s photography was strongly influenced by the work of Mario Giacomelli, a fellow Italian photographer who lived not far from his hometown. His books, which he printed and bound himself using a Xerox laser printer, are filled with texts by his father and famous authors who explored the idea of "Wanderlust." His "Walking" project was inspired by Thoreau, and "Sui Monti Orfici" drew from the works of Dino Campana.

In addition to creating books, Giuseppe also engaged in fine art printing, producing high-quality prints using pigment inks and premium papers. Each of his books remains available for free download in PDF format, and printed editions, along with limited-edition fine art prints, can be ordered from the relevant pages.

Following Giuseppe's passing on January 14, 2024, his son Leonardo now continues to manage his legacy and this website. Giuseppe's passion for hiking and photography lives on through Leonardo, who often walked by his father’s side on many of their photographic journeys.

For any other information or inquiries, please use the contact page.