The first time I photographed you, in black and white, we were at a basketball game, the last time I said goodbye to you we were at a basketball game, one of your many passions. The first time you were about two years old, proud and strutting behind your father Deris’s camera with headphones on your head who were older than you. Last time you were almost 27, too young to die. Next to you is your motorbike, broken into three parts.
The difficult part of our job, because you were a colleague for us like your father, is precisely this. Out of modesty we never talk about it to each other, but we see it in each other’s eyes. Let’s hope he makes it, they stopped the cardiac massage, so they load him up and fly to the hospital. No, they don’t move, they spread a sheet and cover him. It’s over, but first there are unwritten rules to respect and we do it. Always.
Good, humble, polite and professionally prepared, never a word on the pitch, but at the end of the match a “Come on guys, come on, come on” was never missing, regardless of the result. Because you tasted that parquet and walked on it in the darkest moment, but always with pride and with your head held high even when you lost by 70 points. You hoped for promotion every year.
Your family was there, always. At halftime they sat behind you without speaking, keeping their distance. Deris with the camera and Albertina as a Red Cross volunteer.
An image professional, I looked at your monitor out of the corner of my eye while you “arranged” the photos, you saw details and shots that made me drunk. Valentino, with whom you have always had an eye, you, me, Genny, Massimo, Cristiano and Sandrina, always there for years to photograph the passion of the people of Forlì. Your passion like photography and motorbikes, that motorbike that you cared for and pampered maniacally and which perhaps betrayed you. But what does it matter?
But now it’s time for the last caress, then I have to zip up this black bag, Cristiano helps me, it’s up to us. Hi Nicolò, it was nice to meet you, it was nice to watch you and share time with you.
