About Studio Zita.

Portrait of editorial photographer Francesca Forquet

Portrait courtesy of Martina Albertazzi

Francesca Forquet is an Italian editorial and documentary photographer based in Santa Monica, working between Los Angeles and Italy.

Her work has been published internationally by leading publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian, and spans editorial assignments, long-form visual stories and selected private projects.

Francesca’s practice is rooted in documentary and editorial storytelling, with a focus on people, energy, and the subtle moments that exist between events. Her approach favors observation over direction, atmosphere over performance, and visual rhythm over traditional coverage.

Her first book, Everyday a Little Adventure (XYZ Books), was released at Polycopies during Paris Photo. Her work has received recognition from American Photography (AI-AP) and the International Photography Awards, and she was selected as a FRESH EYES Talent by GUP Magazine.

Alongside editorial work, Francesca develops a limited number of private projects through Studio Zita, applying the same editorial rigor to events, family storybooks, and a small selection of editorial weddings.

I approach photography
as a form of visual writing.

I’m drawn to the energy of real moments and the small details that reveal them — the awkward, funny, seemingly insignificant ones that carry real emotion. The kind that bring you right back to how it felt.

Editorial wedding photography capturing gestures during the cerimony
Editorial photography practice focused on people and atmosphere

The Approach

I work with people, places, and situations, paying attention to gestures, expressions, and the quiet or chaotic moments that reveal something true. Reality is never treated as something to be polished — it’s something to be interpreted, reconstructed, and pushed slightly off balance.

Whether I’m photographing an event, a family, or a wedding, the process remains the same: observe, construct, and translate real life into images that feel alive, imperfect, and human.

Detail of a moment during an editorial photography project

Studio Zita is not about poses, perfection, or scripted emotions.

What Studio Zita is — and isn’t

It’s for people who value personality over polish, irony over sentimentality, and images that feel bold, saturated, and unapologetically real.

The work often carries a pop, rock & roll energy — playful, raw, sometimes caricatural — without losing depth or intention.

Francesca’s work has been published internationally and recognized within the editorial and visual arts field.

Editorial event photography capturing preparation gestures at a private dinner

  • “A huge hit with readers and an impressive display of reporting abilities.”

    — T. C., Photo Editor, The New York Times

  • “This looked really good — you absolutely nailed it.”

    — C.H., Photo Editor, The New York Times

  • “Your captioning is excellent — something you rarely see done this well. The photographs were even better than expected.”

    — M.A., Photo Editor, The Wall Street Journal

  • “Fabulous work with thoughtful and creative approaches.”

    — G. F., Photo Editor, The Guardian

Studio Zita is a private editorial practice focused on a limited number of authored projects each year.

Editorial wedding photography capturing a bride in sunglasses smiling as she is lifted onto a man's shoulder next to a flower-decorated vehicle, outdoors with trees and a blue sky.

Practice

Studio Zita works with:

Each project is approached as an authored visual story, with a strong point of view and attention to rhythm, atmosphere, and narrative

Private event photography capturing celebration and energy

Location & contact

Studio Zita operates between Los Angeles and Italy and takes on a limited number of commissions each year.

For inquiries, please get in touch via the contact form

For editors, brands, and collaborators seeking a broader view of Francesca’s editorial and commercial work, a full portfolio is available here:

francescaforquet.com