Biography

Max Donati, photojournalist, was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1979.

He began approaching photography at the age of twelve, with an old camera found at home, teaching himself darkroom development and printing techniques long before considering photography as a profession. In 2005 he completed his studies in photography at the Shoot Institute in Bologna, later specialising in photojournalism and reportage. In 2010 he completed a photojournalism and news masterclass with Alessandro Tosatto at Spazio Labò, and in 2017 a Pro-P Masterclass under Paolo Marchetti.

Career

He started working with the Sintesi photo agency in Rome in 2012, covering breaking news and current affairs across Italy. In 2015 he joined Getty Images as a contributor, supplying editorial images to international newsrooms and publications, and since 2016 he has worked as a photojournalist for QN (Quotidiano Nazionale) / Il Resto del Carlino, covering regional and national news. Since 2014 he has been the resident stage photographer for Teatro Duse in Bologna, documenting theatre and live performances season after season. He is a member of AIRF – Associazione Italiana Reporters Fotografi.

His editorial work includes stories on the independence movement in Catalonia in September 2018, and on the 90th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2016; he later covered her funeral in September 2022. Assignments have also taken him to Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Florence’s historic annual football tradition, and to White Turf St. Moritz, the international horse racing event held each winter on the frozen lake of the Swiss Alps.

Published Work

His work is published internationally, including in The Guardian, Financial Times, Le Monde, HuffPost, GQ, Smithsonian Magazine, Internazionale, la Repubblica and Time.

Available for assignments worldwide. Contact: info@maxdonati.com