About the Artist

Mark de Paola is a New York-based photographer and director known for his evocative, atmospheric imagery and distinctive use of wide-open apertures. With a career spanning fashion, fine art, and commercial work, de Paola’s practice is deeply rooted in gesture, intuition, and visual storytelling. He has created campaigns for major brands including Gucci, Donna Karan, and Estée Lauder, and has directed numerous television spots and short films. His photographic work often explores the interplay between clarity and abstraction, light and shadow, offering a poetic glimpse into both subject and moment.

In recent years, de Paola has focused increasingly on long-form personal projects, working with Leica cameras to produce intimate, emotionally resonant portraits and narrative series. His exhibitions, 60 Seconds and Recent Work, have been shown at Leica Galleries across the U.S. and internationally. de Paola’s artistic process is as much about the experience of seeing as it is about the final image, inviting viewers to slow down and enter a more meditative visual space. He also frequently lectures and mentors emerging photographers, sharing insights from decades of creative exploration and image-making.

Website: https://www.depaolapictures.com
Instagram: @depaolapictures