The Clearing | I took these photos between 2020 and 2025 in the hills near my hometown, at a place I call The Clearing. Over time, this place evolved from a mere backdrop into a reflection of my personal growth. Along the way, I met many men with whom I shared raw, vulnerable connections that shaped me in ways I never could have imagined.

Undressing in front of a camera can feel uncomfortable, but in many ways, I’ve always felt just as exposed. I’ve learned that embracing openness and vulnerability, letting go of control and showing up authentically is key to creating a space of empathy and intimacy.

Everyone responds differently. For some, it’s a deeply emotional experience—just as it is for me. Many of the men I’ve photographed have opened up, sharing their feelings, their deepest needs, their desires. Those moments of authentic connection remain the most meaningful part of this journey for me.

Dario Mannucci (b. 1982) is a photographer based in Florence, Italy. With an academic background in Economics (BSc) and Finance (MSc), he started his career in the financial sector, where he still works today. For many years, his life revolved around a profession grounded in rigor and analytical thinking, without any formal exposure to artistic or humanistic disciplines. At a certain point, he felt the need to give voice to a creative side that had long been dormant. Almost by chance, he began experimenting with a camera, discovering in photography a space for observation, reflection, and expression that gradually grew alongside his professional career.

He studied photography at Fondazione Studio Marangoni, focusing on photojournalism and portraiture. Since 2018, his work has explored themes of identity, vulnerability, and authenticity. His long-term project, The Clearing, reflects on contemporary masculinity, questioning established gender narratives and exploring more intimate, aithentic expressions of male identity.

All Images © Dario Mannucci