Civita di Bagnoregio
Civita di Bagnoregio and Valle dei Calanchi.
A bit of a break from my portraiture work. These two images are part of an ongoing personal documentary project exploring the places I visit around the world — documenting human-defined landscapes and our relationship within them, through street photography, architecture, and environmental portraiture.
Civita di Bagnoregio is a stunning hilltop town in central Italy, perched on a plateau in the Lazio region. Often called the “dying town,” its history spans over 2,500 years — founded by Etruscans around 500 BC, later ruled by Romans, Lombards, and the Papacy. The decline began in the 16th century when an earthquake damaged the buildings and the population dwindled. Today, only sixteen people live here year-round.
I have been lucky to fall in love with many places while travelling Italy and Civita di Bagnoregio is one of them. The day was hot, overcast and muggy. We left Rome around 10am. You cannot drive to Civita — it is pedestrianised and only accessible by a footbridge. We parked in Bagnoregio and I took the images below from an overlook before we crossed. I was struck by the panorama. The town sits on a plateau surrounded by a deep canyon — a position that served as a stronghold for centuries. Civita sits in the Valle dei Calanchi where the erosion of tuff — volcanic ash hardened into rock — creates a skeletal landscape. The land has been beaten and worn by rain and the elements.
We headed over the bridge and up toward the town. By then we were hungry and hot, and as we walked through the main arch we were presented with a small restaurant in the courtyard — just a few tables on a split level, the top seating area cooled by vines and hanging grapes. We drank cold lemon water and scanned the menu. It jumped out immediately — Pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale. Wild boar ragu with thick ribbon pasta. One of the most incredible dishes I have ever eaten, so rich and meaty. All washed down with a good Montepulciano. We sat soaking up the environment and wondering at the town.
Despite the struggle, Civita is a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Cobblestone streets, the 12th century Church of San Donato with its Romanesque bell tower visible for miles. The Ponte della Maddalena — a testament to the precarious position of the town. Walking the narrow streets, I felt transported. The slow pace is a stark contrast to modern life. The architecture and the views from the plateau are breathtaking. The canyon and hills provide a dramatic backdrop. I spent hours watching the light move across the stone.
These images are part of my ongoing personal documentary project — an archive of black and white photography from the places I visit, built alongside my portrait work. The same discipline applies. The same attention to light, structure, and the weight of a place.
Street photography, architecture, landscape — documentary work from Italy, the UK, and beyond. All of it feeding back into the portrait work, which remains the centre of everything I do.
Based in Sandwich, Kent, I work as a portrait photographer across the UK, London, and internationally. If you’d like to discuss a commission or simply want to follow the documentary work, you can find more in the Personal Observations gallery or get in touch directly.
Visceral, character-led portraits from honest, quiet human moments. Classical legacy portraiture for private commissions. International, UK, London, based in Sandwich, Kent.