Angelo Leonardo, born in Reggio Calabria on August 22, 1994, grew up in Taranto, where he completed his classical high school education in 2013. His journey led him to pursue Law, graduating in 2019, before earning a prestigious scholarship to explore his passion for photography at the John Kaverdash Academy in Milan.
His dedication and talent saw him chosen as an assistant by Luca Santese, a founding member of the Cesura photographic agency, which further enriched his professional background. Angelo's first long-term project, "Le Monde Ou Rien," delves into the reality of young people in Milan's suburbs, blending artistic sensitivity with social commitment to capture intimate glimpses of their lives. This project garnered him recognition, receiving awards like the Emiliano Mancuso Award from Officine Fotografiche and the Youth Award from the Lombardy Region. It also earned him finalist spots in esteemed competitions such as CRAF 2023 (IT), the Felix Schoeller Award (DE), the GOMMA Black and White Grant (UK), and the ISPA Award (US). Angelo's works have been exhibited across Italy and Europe, featured in solo and group exhibitions, including Les rencontres d'Arles (FR), Chiasso Letteraria (SV), Frome Photo Festival (UK), Felix Schoeller Foundation (DE), and Officine Fotografiche (IT). They've also graced the pages of renowned publications like Internazionale's print weekly and the Gomma Book Black and White Photography Grant (UK).
In 2021, he co-founded the collective T-House, which collaborated with 10 photography festivals worldwide the following year for outdoor exhibitions.
Simultaneously, Angelo forged successful collaborations with esteemed brands and agencies, lending his talent as a photographer and light designer. MondadoriMedia, CP Company, The Vision, Icebreaker, Pentagram, Lavazza, Ferrari, LaRinascente, Samsung, YOUX, Krug, Zegna, Universal, and others have benefited from his creative vision and expertise.