I haven’t known Andrea “Shooter” Resta for that long at all. But our friendship came about because of a shared interest in photography. It’s actually an overwhelming passion for the pair of us, more than a hobby - almost an obsession – it doesn’t seem to matter that we come from different generations or use different makes of camera! Andrea’s 27 and not one for hiding behind smartphone or monitor, preferring good old-fashioned human contact and his ever-present reflex.

Nowadays we find ourselves part of a burgeoning, close-knit group of enthusiasts which include the photographer already featured in this magazine Elio Selvatico. Andrea himself never misses an opportunity to put himself about in the surrounding hills and valleys of Valchiavenna, Bregaglia, Valle Spluga and indeed beyond. The mountains remain an enormous fascination and this young man has dreams he’d like to fulfil too. Perhaps he best sums himself up “My home is up there between the encroaching peaks with the wind

telling tales; between the imperious rock-faces and the mysteries of their silence; beside the loquacious waters whispering the sweetest of memories; right here, this is my home, these are my mountains”. His enthusiasm for the art of photography is intrinsically linked to a love of the mountains that he inherited from his grandparents. His camera a mere vehicle with which to capture and share the beauty of our valley from dawn to dusk. It’s a passion for the outdoors shared equally with the faithful Mauser, Andrea’s border collie. Landscapes alternate with shots of the natural world and wildlife: and it genuinely appears to come naturally to this cognoscente of his “home” territory. The rest is up to his trusty reflex.

And the nickname “Shooter”? That actually came from his early childhood. A happy coincidence? Or Fate itself perhaps.