Collection: Mauro Padula

Mauro Padula (born 1983 in Urbino) is an Italian photographer and visual artist based in Milan.

After years of working as a food photographer, he turned to spontaneous, artisanal photography away from commercial aesthetics—a shift that naturally led him to queer portraiture. His work focuses on fine art portraiture, human intimacy, and physical craftsmanship. Through a personal, non-traditional lens, Padula aims to normalize the male body: he understands his portrayal of it as both a personal need and a stance against censorship, body shaming, and puritanical taboos. He combines mild sensuality with subtle, playful irony and natural tenderness; his works break away from dominant visual tropes to celebrate vulnerability and authentic encounter.

In his work, Padula uses both analog formats (35mm and medium format) and digital shooting techniques, while remaining true to an aesthetic shaped by film logic—emphasizing organic grain, natural light, and warm textures. His photographs have been published internationally in magazines such as Elska, Spytt, and Inspirò. He has also presented solo exhibitions and taught masterclasses on the representation of the male body at the MIX Festival in Milan.