NEW SIGNING / FRANCESCO BITTICHESU

We’re thrilled to welcome Francesco Bittichesu to the LPA roster — an Italian-born, New York–based photographer known for his cinematic eye, atmospheric storytelling, and ability to find beauty in the in-between moments. Francesco’s work bridges worlds, from the soft light and quiet nostalgia of his Sardinian roots to the energy and edge of his life in New York. His global career has seen him shoot for clients such as Giorgio Armani, Wallpaper, Monocle, Tissot, Heineken, Loewe and Forte Hotels, to name a few.

We talked to Francesco about his journey from Sardinia to the U.S., how cinema continues to shape his visual language, and why he believes the best photography captures both the dream and the reality.

LPA: Could you tell us a little bit about how you first got into photography?

FB: It all started during those long, boring winters in Sardinia, in my late teens. Later, during military service, it kept me sane. It was freezing, and my mind was definitely not in the uniform. Photography became my distraction, my escape — and somehow, it never stopped. I still find that kind of crazy.

LPA: What was the moment you realised this would be your path?

FB: I don’t think there was a single moment. It happened slowly. I started to realize photography could express things I couldn’t put into words — emotions, memories, connections. At some point, I just knew this was my way of speaking to the world.

LPA: If you weren’t behind the camera, what would you be doing?

FB: As a kid, I wanted to be everything — a tennis player, a DJ, maybe even a millionaire… (laughs) None of that worked out, but the camera found me before I got lost in other dreams.

LPA: You grew up in Sardinia and have been based in New York for over two decades — how have those worlds influenced your creativity?

FB: I come from a middle-class family — my parents worked in banking, which was considered a good and stable job in those days. Sardinia back then was still a bit hidden from the world, but full of light and color — endless summers, white sand beaches, emerald water. I remember the smell of peaches, strawberries, watermelon, and the sound of waves while eating pasta by the sea.
Then I landed in New York — the complete opposite. Millions of people, noise, motion, contrast. I loved it. Those two worlds couldn’t be more different, yet I carry both inside me: the silence of Sardinia and the energy of New York. That balance is what I’m always chasing in my images.

LPA: You can shoot anywhere in the world tomorrow — where are you going and what would you shoot?

FB: Australia and New Zealand, for sure. I’ve always wanted to explore them. And I’d love to imagine and photograph my father Mario’s journey — he moved to Australia in the ’50s and returned to Italy. Telling his story through my eyes and his memory would be incredible.

LPA: Your work is described as cinematic and atmospheric. Where does that come from, and how do you translate it into still images?

FB: Cinema has always been my biggest teacher. The first time I saw 8½, I was fascinated by how it explored the creative mind — the struggles, the doubts, trying to get inside someone’s imagination. Then Amarcord came, and it was a completely different feeling: a poetic, nostalgic view of youth, absurdity, and everyday life. Both taught me about light, emotion, and mystery — and that’s what I try to capture in photography: being inside a dream, even when it’s real.

LPA: Lighting and atmosphere play a big role in your work. How do you craft the mood of a scene?

FB: I always start with natural light. It’s my base, my compass. Then I build around it — adding shadows or softness depending on what the scene needs. For me, it’s always a mix of heavy and light. That tension creates emotion. It’s what makes an image feel alive.

LPA: How do you maintain your visual identity across editorial and advertising work?

FB: They’re different worlds, but my approach is the same: I bring my point of view and connect it to theirs. Advertising takes longer — more steps, more voices — but I actually enjoy that process. I’m grateful when people see something in my images that resonates with their project. That’s true collaboration.

LPA: What project has been most meaningful so far, and why?

FB: Giorgio Armani – Frames of Life was unforgettable. In about four weeks, I crossed three continents — Japan, Argentina, Martinique, Italy, even the Arctic Circle. Every place had its own story, its own rhythm. I was just watching life happen — people, light, landscapes. Pure discovery. A journey through beauty and humanity.

LPA: Advice for emerging photographers?

FB: Find your voice — and protect it. Don’t get distracted by trends or by what everyone else is doing. Observe the world carefully. The subtle stories, the small moments — they’re everywhere. And live — travel, read, watch films, talk to strangers. Everything you experience becomes part of your photography.

LPA: If your photography had a soundtrack, what song or artist would sing it?

FB: Radiohead. Or Boards of Canada. Something atmospheric, melancholic, emotional — like a dream you can’t completely explain.

LPA: What excites you most about being signed to LPA?

FB: I’m excited to work with a team that has a clear vision and strong ability to support photographers. I already have a good feeling about their approach, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can create together and where this collaboration might take my work.

We’re so excited to welcome Francesco to the LPA family, his work perfectly reflects what we love at LPA — creativity, authenticity, and a deep understanding of storytelling.