loredana denicola

About me

I am a multidisciplinary documentary photographer and visual artist based in Italy, working between Italy and London.

My journey into photography began unexpectedly when I found a 35mm Praktica camera discarded in a grey bag on Florida Street, London. This moment sparked a passion for visual storytelling, leading me to pursue formal education in photography, earning a certificate in Photographic professional practice from St Martin's College of Arts in 2008.

​After graduating in Economics and spending time in the corporate world, I transitioned into photography, beginning in the fast-paced world of freelance press photography. For three years, I worked as a paparazzo, developing strong instincts and technical skills under high-pressure conditions.

Photography, for me, is a tool of connection and self-exploration, a way to uncover unsettling truths about identity, human nature, and our emotional landscapes. Since 2013, my personal and artistic research has focused on intimate themes such as gender equality, love, sexuality, prejudice, mental health, and the evolving process of personal transformation.

I use the camera as both mirror and performance - an instrument through which I connect and create collaborative, vulnerable spaces with my subjects.

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Artistic approach

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Over the years, my work as a documentary photographer and visual artist has evolved into a deeply therapeutic practice,  using photography, video, and writing not only as tools of self-exploration and healing, but also as ways to support others through collaborative, creative processes. Many of those involved in my projects have shared that they felt seen, valued, and emotionally liberated, often describing the experience as both reflective and transformative.

My artistic practice is rooted in empathy, trust, and mutual vulnerability.

Each encounter becomes a shared space where artistic creation functions as an act of care. I do not merely document - I co-create. The camera becomes a witness, and the lens a bridge: between past and present, between inner emotion and external identity, between artist and subject. Working across photography, video, and writing, I explore the human condition in its rawest form, addressing themes such as gender identity, physical and mental health, sexuality, personal transformation, and emotional intimacy. My aim is not only to produce visually compelling narratives, but to activate a process of recognition, dialogue, and connection - for myself and for those who choose to share their stories with me.

My projects often intersect with contemporary photography, gender studies, and art-based therapeutic practices, creating space for alternative forms of storytelling that challenge stereotypes and foster emotional awareness.

Since January 2018, I have been a member of Action Hybride, an international collective of artists based in Paris.

The collective explores the body and human experience through interdisciplinary practices. As part of the global photography community, I served as a judge for international competitions, including the first edition of the Sublime Photo Awards 2025 and Monochrome Awards 2023 and 2024.

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La Pecora Edizioni

In 2021, I co-founded La Pecora Edizioni with visual artist Francesca Sand, a small but evolving publishing house focused on supporting independent artists and photographers. The company is dedicated to creating innovative, visually striking books that highlight emerging talents and encourage collaboration within the artistic community.

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Current projects

I am currently working on three upcoming photography books: love, sex, and relationships, I am your mirror, and L'oscurità, ma io ho una luce. These projects explore themes of intimacy, sexuality, illness, and transformation, offering a deep dive into the emotional and psychological dimensions of the human experience.

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