Series description
Amiens, a small city north of Paris, encapsulates Europe’s broader struggles and aspirations. Historically reliant on industry, Amiens is grappling with foreign competition, resulting in high unemployment and challenges related to immigration. Shrinking job opportunities, housing shortages and social cohesion issues have led to the rise of populism, particularly among the working class, and intensified social polarisation. These local dynamics mirror national debates on identity, immigration and economic policy. The city’s cultural heritage – from its UNESCO-recognised cathedral to the Hortillonnages water channels – highlights the tension between preserving tradition and embracing modernisation. The photographers’ approach to documenting this complex reality emphasises personal proximity, working closely with local communities and associations supporting vulnerable populations.
Biography
Jean-Marc Caimi and Valentina Piccinni collaborate on impactful documentary and personal photography projects, with a keen focus on human aspects. Their work is extensively featured in international press. They've earned awards including the 2019 Sony World Photography Award in the Discovery category. Their exhibitions span Europe and Asia, with six published books they received the Kassel Dummy Book Award special mention and were finalist at the Luma Rencontres Award.
Franchement
In the Saint-Roch neighbourhood, a motorcycle burns in an act of reprisal between rival gangs, a reminder of underlying tensions. The following day, along the banks of the Somme, the Hortillonnages festival unfolds. The community dresses in their finest, celebrating tradition amidst the city’s challenges.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Franchement
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II lies forgotten in an abandoned house near Amiens’ railway station. This was once the home of a renowned music teacher, but following her passing the house fell into neglect, mirroring the economic hardships of the area. Yet Amiens still clings to its ties with a grander past, as seen in the city's dedication to historical reenactments, where Napoleonic-era villages are meticulously brought back to life.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
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Swans thrive in the Somme department. They nest in the intricate channels of the Hortillonnages, an ancient farming zone that is now a popular tourist destination. Nearby, in a small workers’ bar, two men embrace, reconciling just moments after a heated fist fight, revealing the unexpected depths of human connection.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
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A passing girl grabs cotton candy, holding it like a trophy to share on social media. Her arm tattoo reads ‘my brother is my pride,’ a tribute to the close bond between siblings. In an effort to promote acceptance among the predominantly working-class population, associations such as Coallia work to secure temporary housing for immigrants while they await the regularization of their papers, such as this Muslim family who recently arrived in France.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Franchement
A woman in a working-class bar poses for a portrait after trying her hand at the money-glass trick. The challenge was proposed by fellow bar patrons, with €20 up for grabs if she can remove the note without the coins falling into the glass.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
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‘Maraudes’ – a French term for street assistance for the homeless – are organised by both local authorities and small private associations to help those facing the hardships of life on the streets. Food is prepared and brought to designated meeting spots. These gatherings also provide an opportunity for connection, conversation and the sharing of vital information.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
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A gleaming old Cadillac adorned with an American flag, at a local car show. The dream of the ‘promised land’ is shared by many immigrants who come to France in search of a better life. The young boy depicted here, playfully shows his muscles to a local NGO humanitarian worker. His family is currently housed in a temporary shelter while they await the approval of their asylum request by the French government. Immigration remains a critical issue in France.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Franchement
A drag queen from the local queer community waits backstage to take to the stage at a successful summer theatre show. Efforts to gain acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community in Amiens have been ongoing for years, with events held in the city's most popular neighbourhoods. However, areas such as Amiens Nord (right), are home to a more conservative population, who remain resistant to issues surrounding gender and identity.
© Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, Italy, Shortlist, Professional competition, Portraiture, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards