There’s something raw and honest about cities before they’ve had their coffee. I woke before dawn in the height of Italy’s sultry summer, chasing soft light and quiet streets to capture a morning in Trastevere. But what I found in Trastevere wasn’t the sleepy calm I expected—it was the aftermath of a Roman night out. Broken glass glittered like confetti in the gutters, trash clung to curbs, and the scent of stale beer clung to the air. This wasn’t the postcard version of Italy—and that’s exactly why I photographed it.
In this photo series, you’ll see Trastevere stripped bare—no tourists, no charm turned on for the camera. Just the real city, shaking off the night. It’s gritty, golden, and strangely beautiful. These are the moments before the espresso machines whir to life, before the romance returns. And somehow, that made me fall in love with Rome all over again.
