Young relative of a local shepherd helps his family tend to their flock. With unwavering dedication and a strong sense of responsibility, the young shepherd carries a sheep through a fenced area, assisting in the demanding yet rewarding work of sheep farming. Forme, Italy. We witness the resilience and determination of a community whose way of life is shaped by the rhythms of the land and the care of their livestock. The image captures a moment of tradition and familial duty, showcasing the importance of passing on knowledge and skills to the next generation.
Large view of Francesco's property, surrounded by Apennine mountain chain. Antrosano, Italy. January 2015
Francesco, a local shepherd, poses for a portrait, close to its barns, completely built by him. Antrosano, Italy. January 2015
Close view of Francesco's hand.
Francesco opens the fence to bring the sheep right to his left, back inside. Antrosano, Italy. January 2015.
Francesco deposits new bales of hay inside the stable, taken from a deposit just outside his property. After having brought out the flock of sheep, Francesco is used to clean and replenish the space with new hay, daily.
Francesco plays with his wolf-dogs puppies, born since a few weeks, from his faithful four-legged collaborators. Antrosano, Italy. January 2015.
Francesco loads the wheelbarrow with carrots, for feeding his livestock. This is one of the first activities done during an ordinary working day. Antrosano, Italy. January 2016
An adult female sheep smells her newborn, with serious health problems. It will die a few hours later.
Despite the dramatic health condition of the just born baby sheep, Francesco tries to save its life, helping the animal to drink her mother's milk.
Some members of a family of shepherds put the sheep inside an enclosure, in the Marsican village of Forme, Italy.
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I, Marsican Shepherd

"I, Marsican Shepherd” is a short reportage that explores the lives of livestock workers in Marsica, a geographical area within the Abruzzo region of Italy. This work aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the daily lives of the local shepherds, focusing on the maintenance aspect of sheep farming. This aspect of the work is often seen as an exhausting and thankless task that goes unseen, but is crucial for the well-being of the flocks. Through the photographs, the viewer is invited to witness the grueling labor and dedication that the shepherds undertake to ensure the well-being of their flocks.

The series has been created by spending an evening with local shepherds in the small village of Forme and then spending an entire working day with a local shepherd named Francesco, on his property in Antrosano. This immersive approach allowed to gain a personal and intimate understanding of the subject matter, and to capture the nuances and details of the shepherds’ daily lives.

The project aims to be a slight contribution to the understanding of the lives and livelihoods of livestock workers in Marsica and the broader Abruzzo region of Italy. It provides a glimpse into the lives of a community that is often overlooked and illustrates the historical, social, and economic factors that have shaped the cultural identity of the area.