I’m very happy to announce the release of my new photographic monograph, VAIA, a visual and textual exploration of the devastation wrought by Storm Vaia in the forests of North-Eastern Italy in October 2018, and its aftermath in the following six years. This new hardback book is spread across 86 pages including text & images.

Through 55 striking black and white photographs, VAIA captures the raw beauty and profound loss resulting from the storm, which felled millions of trees and reshaped the landscape. The book focuses not only on the destruction but also on the resilience of nature and the evolving landscape over the course of 6 years.

I was delighted that renowned landscape photographer Joe Cornish agreed to add a foreword to the book. From the Italian perspective Dr. Diego Sonda contributes expert forestry information, providing crucial context and understanding of the ecological impact of the storm. The accompanying text, presented in both English and Italian, offers a deeper narrative, weaving together personal observations, scientific insights, and an exploration of how the landscape has been reshaped.

The book is available in the deluxe version with print (as shown above) or the standard book only version for £25 available from my online shop.

“Sam’s wonderful photographs record the stark facts with both convincing geographic veracity, yet also a truly expressive eye. He includes images of surpassing beauty that whisper quietly of redemption.” - Joe Cornish