Camera roll with Ludovica Anzaldi: a photographer, a mother, but most importantly – a woman.

Ludovica is a Roman native visual artist who studied in Paris, and later in life came back to live in her hometown. She’s a world navigated photographer who mainly points her camera at women, immersing herself in their lives, trying to capture each and every unique nuance through the use of her analog lens. She’s a proud feminist who truly believes in the power of storytelling – ‘Human Range’ is one of her ongoing, and probably most important projects yet. An intimate introspective in the journey of self discovery of women from different social rank, race, occupation…Women, captured in their heroic everyday normality, out of the spotlight of society’s judgmental boundaries, finally free to express themselves.

“I generally start conversations and work with people that need a voice for their stories. Through photography, I am able to create my own personal archive of ‘humanity’ – Listening to other people’s stories is what helps humanity the most, and it’s what uplifts me personally as well.”

Ludovica’s photography meets in the grey area between photojournalism and art photography, her point of view shocks the viewer with its bold rawness, mixing the right dose of social and political context. 

‘My style is a mix of both photojournalism and art photography – following people and situations happening around me, I started pursuing the lost thread of unspoken voices. Soon enough this became my trademark.”

We had Ludovica under our radar because we share and collaborate with friends in common. Our first encounter with her work was thanks to Livia Lazzari two years ago. She shot the pictures we used in the BEA muse page dedicated to Livia – founder & owner of Voodoo Jewels. Finally, over the last month we were able to work together on our own projects: first for Ilaria & Margot’s pictures for our BEA mum story, and then with the self-portrait series she did for this article, which was the most natural next collaboration.

What did you watch, read, listen to growing up?

I am chronically curious. This allowed me to grow up among completely different people, places and situations; in Rome we say: ‘ndo mi metti sto!’, so let’s say I have a somewhat borderline personal culture… But I grew up (by choice) among underground parties and Parisian squats: listening to tekno & rnb, reading ‘Persepolis’ and ‘Cristian F.’ and watching movies like ‘La Haine’.

How do you think growing up in Rome influenced the woman you are today?

Us Romans along with the history of our city inherit a special, dark and edgy sense of humour that leads us to joke lightly about even the harshest events in life. I think it is synonymous of intelligence and also fucking sexy.

What do your days look like? 

My days are always different from each other; that’s the beauty of my job. One day I work for newspapers finding myself between demonstrations, or absurd events around the city… another day I work for brands, or teach at school, yet another with filmmakers or writers…at the moment the ‘only constant in my life and my daily routine is my son.

How do you strike the balance between work/life/motherhood? 

I can’t find it. But I’m a warrior, quitting is not really an option I consider often in my life… so I’m often very tired but I don’t quit on anything.

How much of yourself is present in your photography? 

My photography is resistance, it is giving space to those I think don’t have enough; it’s like me, self-ironic but also critical and rebellious, it’s love for life. It is everything I need to survive.

Tell us about your research process.

My artistic research is my evolution. It changes and evolves as a result of the encounters I have, the culture and politics of the country I am in, the people I love.

And how does it differ when working on ‘Human Range’ versus a job like the one you did for shooting the pictures of your own photo story for us (this article)?

Formally and aesthetically it is very different, almost opposite. In ‘Human Range’ I document reality, a need for freedom of the bodies and lives of a large segment of humanity. Whereas in this photographic series it’s just me, throwing a Cindy Sherman-esque role-play, making fun of everyone, first and foremost myself.

Who would be your dream woman to photograph – if you could pick any famous woman to photograph who would that be?

Today I would tell you without a hesitation: Bisan Owda (Palestinian woman journalist) who is alone in Gaza at only 26 years of age, telling one of the darkest pages in the history of ‘humanity’.

You quote Nina Simone – “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me. No fear.”, when describing your project ‘Human Range’ on your website. Do you think that we keep ‘living in fear’ to this day?

Us women, as long as we live in a world built and ruled predominantly by men, we will never live free. ‘No fear’ is the necessary starting point to find the strength to change things.

If you could share a wish or positive message with all the women that follow us for international women’s day, what would that be.

Make NOISE.

Which of our styles you wore for your pictures was your favourite, and why?

The green Flair Jumpsuit, perfect for nightlife and dancing – two things I really love!

What print do you like the best or you feel represents you the most?

The print that I like and represents me best is the green one with pink rhinos.