HE could barely move and couldn’t talk.

But Rome Torti found ways to communicate during his final hours to compile a book celebrating his lifelong passion.

The skate photographer, who died in August aged 31 after a long fight against brain cancer, would give approval on whether a picture should be included in the book by giving it a thumbs up or smiling.

“Towards the end, we talked about the book and decided to get it done,” Jake Frost, Mr Torti’s brother-in-law, said.

media_camera An image from Rome Torti's book.

“When his condition deteriorated further, it got down to smiles and thumbs up when we were working together.

media_camera A shot from Rome Torti’s Hello Friend, which is being published posthumously.

“But he hand-picked every image and saw a mock up of the book before he died.”

Mr Torti was determined to put together the stunning memoir, to be launched tonight at Miami Marketta, well before he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

The book is dedicated to his wife, Rachael, and 4-year-old son, Ryder.

Mr Frost said there was a story behind every picture in the book, titled Hello Friend, to reflect Mr Torti’s outgoing personality.

Mrs Torti said she hoped the tribute to her husband would have a long-term impact on their son, who had lost the emotional and financial support of his dad.

“We haven’t decided what to do with the money raised,” she said.

“But some of it will go into a trust fund and I hope it will give Ryder a step up in life one day.”

Mr Frost said one of the main reason’s Mr Torti wanted to produce the book was to create a “special keepsake for his son”.

The book is available online at rometortihellofriend.com