To tell stories through images means establishing a precise point of view. More importantly, it means taking a stance on the matters of the world. The sensitivity of Nicolas Brunetti emerges in every shot, transforming mere representation into deep investigation. This is the mantra that guides Brunetti in his practice. It takes courage—not only to confront complex realities, but also to subvert expectations, seeking light where many would see only darkness.

Brunetti seems to have absorbed the lesson of Joel Meyerowitz, who said: “to photograph is to be fully aware of what to exclude and what to include.” This is not merely a technical guideline, but a true ethical manifesto. It’s about developing a thought before taking a shot, about questioning oneself before looking through the viewfinder. This process—prioritising reflection over action—elevates Brunetti’s work, giving it an almost philosophical dimension.

In an era in which images are often consumed voraciously and superficially, Nicolas Brunetti invites us to pause and look with depth. His decision to carry out a project in Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast of Morocco, was no accident. Ceuta is a crossroads of stories, tensions, and hopes. The situation there is dramatic—marked by violence, unemployment, marginalization, and abuse. It’s a place where social and political realities show their rawest face, a stage of precarious lives and uncertain futures.

And yet, the young photojournalist from Cesena deliberately chooses to maintain a different perspective, to take a conscious step back from a one-dimensional narrative. He is not interested in telling a story of despair—instead, he focuses on the dreams of the young, on their desire to grow, to change, and to find new opportunities. In a world obsessed with the depiction of suffering, Nicolas becomes the voice of an alternative—of a vision that, while acknowledging hardship, turns toward resilience, hope, and the possibility of redemption. This does not mean ignoring Ceuta’s social and political issues, but rather exploring them through a lens that reveals the dignity and strength of individuals.

His reportage captures an extraordinary sense of softness still alive among the young people he met during his many visits. This softness is not weakness, but an inner strength—a capacity to keep hope alive despite adversity. It is the poetry that rises from even the harshest realities, the delicacy that appears in the folds of difficult daily life.

Nicolas Brunetti is not a mere observer—he is an empathetic participant, a witness who immerses himself in the lives of others with respect and deep humanity. His photography thus becomes an act of resistance, an anthem to the human ability to dream and fight for a better future, even in the most complex situations. In short, Nicolas invites us to look beyond the surface, to grasp nuance, to recognise the beauty and hope that can bloom even in the most unexpected places—a tribute to human depth in a world all too often cynical.“