Thomàz Mazzei is an Italian author and photographer, specialized in nature and wildlife, with roots in Cosenza, Calabria, currently based in Braga, Portugal, where he's working on projects that bring together photography, literature, and spirituality. His photography highlights the beauty and vulnerability of nature, with a focus on capturing moments that get people thinking about the relationship between humans and the environment. Aside from his art, Thomàz is a follower of Spiritism as codified by Allan Kardec, which deeply influences his perspective and his approach to both photography and writing.

PHOTOGRAPHY

For Christmas, when he was eleven, he got his first digital camera, and at twelve, he started training with a Sony DSLR (Sony DSC-R1). In 2018, during Brazil's presidential election campaigns, he interned in photojournalism, documenting a politically significant period in the state. Later, in January 2019, he started his own photography business, the Wolf Photography Studio.

Style and Influences

Inspired by the work of renowned photographer Nick Brandt, Thomàz focuses on balancing light, shadow, and composition to create images that stir up emotion and reflection. His photos often feature landscapes, wildlife, and genuine moments of nature exploration. Brandt's influence is clear in how Thomàz uses photography to tell a visual story, putting environmental and social issues front and center in his work.

London, England

After finishing high school in Brazil, Mazzei moved to London, England, to sharpen his skills in photography and videography. During his time there, he worked at a company that specialized in cybersecurity training videos and took on freelance photography gigs for fashion, weddings, and children's photography.

United States of America

In 2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomàz enrolled at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska, for a technical specialization in his professional field. Over his two years at the school, he participated in several exhibitions, including the 2023 Annual Student Exhibition, where his piece "Human Dominance" was one of 241 submissions selected. The photograph deals with the relationship between human progress and its impact on nature, showing a construction site with a digitally added jaguar, highlighting the contrast between urban sprawl and wildlife.

Additionally, his photos "Arara Canindé" and "One of Us" were displayed at the Commonwealth Gallery during the winter and spring quarters. "Arara Canindé" shows a blue and yellow macaw, a symbol of Brazil's biodiversity. "One of Us" features a monkey in an almost human-like pose, making you think about the connection between humans and animals. Mazzei also snagged second place in the graphic design contest for the new logo for the MCC Writing Center.

Spirituality is a fundamental part of Thomàz's life. As a follower of Spiritism codified by Allan Kardec, he finds a deep source of inspiration and understanding beyond what's visible to the human eye. This directly influences his photography, writing, and his view of the world. For Thomàz, photography isn't just a science; it's a way to connect viewers to what's beyond the tangible, making them reflect on the fleeting nature of physical life and the eternity of the soul. He also believes his writing is "a channel for higher spirits to communicate, in order to help with the moral and spiritual elevation of humanity".

In December 2024, Mazzei published the first edition of "The Dark Prince: Between Gods and Mortals", blending Egyptian mythology, Spiritism, mystery, and the raw search for self-discovery. After setbacks with the initial release caused by a former publisher’s mismanagement, Mazzei took control of his own path and founded The Wolf & Quill Press. This independent editorial house not only brought to life the second edition of the first volume of The Dark Prince Trilogy, but has since become the exclusive platform for all his future works, ensuring that every book is released with the vision and integrity the stories deserve.

Future Projects in the Works

In his photography career, Thomàz is making plans to combine his passion for photography with the cause of conserving the world's forests and wildlife. Also, the second volume of The Dark Prince trilogy is set to be released in 2026.

It's worth noting that, for now, the books won't be released in eBook formats, offering only the physical versions for readers who want to dive into this fascinating universe. Kindle versions will be released when the trilogy is completed.