Alessandro Penso, born in Italy, studied clinical psychology at The Sapienza University of Rome. He went on to study photojournalism at the Roman School Of Photography and Cinema, where he received a scholarship. Alessandro is deeply committed to social issues, and in recent years he has been focusing on the issue of immigration in the Mediterranean. During this time, he has produced work on detention centres in Malta, the situation of migrant workers in the agricultural sector in the south of Italy, and young people stuck in limbo in Greece.

Motivated by the desire to raise awareness of injustices at Europe’s margins, Alessandro’s work depicts those who find themselves on the receiving end of xenophobia, racism and violence. His work from Greece was the focus of a major solo exhibition entitled ‘The European Dream: Road to Bruxelles’, which travelled through Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland and Belgium; where it was shown at the European Parliament.

Alessandro works regularly with Italian and international publications, including: The International Herald Tribune, TIME, The Washington Post, Businessweek, The Guardian, BBC, Human Rights Watch, L’Espresso, D di Repubblica and Vanity Fair Italy.

He has received awards by World Press Photo; Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund Grant; Getty Editorial Grants; Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Fund; and the Terry O’Neill Tag Award. Alessandro’s images have been widely exhibited at photography festivals in Europe, and he regularly conducts workshops and professional seminars.

Awards

2021 Premio Luchetta, Finalist. IT
2021 PHMUSEUM, Finalist. BRA

2020 Image Sinulieris, Finalist. FR
2020 POY, Semi Finalist, Covid. USA
2020 POY, POY 78 World Understanding Award, Finalist. USA

2020 Finalist ISEM Award, FR

2019 National Geographic Grant “Human Migration”. USA

2017 Getty Images Editorial Grant. USA
2016 Finalist, Eugene Smith Grant. USA
2016 Short list, Sony award. UK

2015 Story of the Year, Time Magazine. USA
2014 Emerging Photographer, Burn Magazine. USA
2014 Grant, Magnum Foundation Emerhency Fund. USA
2014 First prize, General News in The World Press Photo. NL
2013 First prize Sofa Global award, Global photo award. SLO
2012 First prize Terry O’Neil Award. UK
2012 Second prize,reportage at PX3. FR
2012 Prix de la Photographie, Bronze and Silver Medal.
2012 Fotovisura Grant 2011, Top Finalist. USA
2011 First prize, Center Santa Fè,project Launch, N.M. USA
2011 Accademia Apulia, shortlisted , Migrant Workers. UK
2011 International Photographer of the Year, honuor mention. USA

2010 Photo District News Annual, editorial. New york, USA
2010 International Photographer of the Year, honour mention. USA

2009 Photoespana, Finalist Descubrimientos. Madrid, ES
2009 International Photographer of the Year, honour mention. USA

2009 Lucca digital Festival, honour mention. IT
2009 Prix de la Photographie, honour mention. FR
2009 Prix de la Photographie, 2th price, Reportage. FR
2009 Pdn Photostudent. New York, USA
2008 Festival Fotoleggendo. IT