Marco Longari
Marco Longari is an Italian photojournalist and educator with over 25 years of experience documenting conflict, social upheaval, and human resilience across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He is Africa’s Chief Photographer for Agence France-Presse (AFP), based in Johannesburg.
Longari’s work is known for its emotional depth and visual clarity, capturing the dignity of people living through crisis. His photographs have become defining images of contemporary history, from the Arab Spring to the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa.
Born in Rome in 1965, Marco Longari graduated with honors from the Istituto Superiore di Fotografia in 1999. He began his career as a freelance photographer during the Kosovo conflict in 1998, leading to his first book, Nachbarn des Krieges (Neighbors at War). In 2000, he joined AFP as a stringer in Rwanda, later becoming Chief Photographer in Nairobi and Jerusalem. Since 2014, he has led AFP’s photographic coverage across Africa from Johannesburg.
Longari’s assignments have taken him to numerous conflict zones, including Darfur, Libya, Syria, and the Palestinian Territories. In 2012, Time magazine named him “Best Photographer on the Wires” for his compelling coverage of the Arab Spring. His work has been exhibited internationally, with notable shows at Visa pour l’Image in Perpignan, Atelier Jungwirth in Graz, and Estaçao Imagem in Coimbra.
As an educator, Longari has taught at institutions such as the ISFCI in Rome, the Jack London School in Fermo, and the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg. He is a Canon Ambassador and mentors emerging photographers through the Canon Student Development Programme, fostering the next generation of visual storytellers.
Marco Longari’s photography transcends traditional conflict reporting, focusing on the human stories within geopolitical events. His approach emphasises the everyday lives of individuals affected by war and social unrest, capturing moments of vulnerability and strength. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he documented the quietude of Johannesburg using a vintage Linhof Technika III large-format camera, producing a poignant series that reflects the city’s altered rhythm.
His commitment to storytelling is evident in his publications, including Refugees, featuring a preface by the Dalai Lama, and Beyond the Conflict, an exhibition catalogue exploring the nuances of life in war-torn regions. Longari’s exhibitions, such as Flashlight: Tahrir and Flashlight: Gaza 2014, have been showcased in cities like Perpignan, Graz, and Rome, highlighting his ability to convey complex narratives through imagery.
Beyond his photographic work, Longari is dedicated to education and mentorship. He has conducted workshops and lectures worldwide, sharing his expertise with aspiring photojournalists. His role as a Canon Ambassador and mentor in the Canon Student Development Programme underscores his commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Through his lens and leadership, Longari continues to influence the field of photojournalism, advocating for stories that resonate on a human level.
Books
Nachbarn des Krieges (Styria, 1999)
Refugees (Edizioni Sossella), with a preface by the Dalai Lama
Beyond the Conflict (Exhibition catalogue, 2010)
Selected Exhibitions
Visa pour l’Image, Perpignan: Africa (2004), Crows and Solitude in Africa (2017)
Flashlight: Tahrir (Graz, 2011), Flashlight: Gaza 2014 (Graz, 2014)
Beyond the Conflict (Trento, 2010), Theatres of War (Rome, 2012)
Detroit (Cardiff, 2017), Unless We Die (Coimbra, 2018)
Matera 2019: Visions from Europe (Matera, 2019)
