Hidden Gems: Meet Alessio Mascia of AM STUDIO98

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessio Mascia.

Alessio, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in photography began in Sardinia in 2018, at the age of 19, in a context completely distant from the creative world. I was working in a pizzeria and, with my first savings, I bought my first camera while also creating my official profile (alessio__mascia). There were no contacts, no ready-made opportunities, and no one to point me in a specific direction — only the responsibility of building everything from scratch.

The early years were a continuous process of building. I photographed the people around me, trying to understand what really happens when someone stands in front of a camera. I wasn’t interested in taking random images: I wanted to understand how every element — light, expression, posture — could be used to communicate who a person is, their personality, their role, and what they represent.

In 2019, I began a more structured training path, focusing on portrait photography and visual communication. At the same time, I started working with my first local clients in Cagliari and the surrounding areas, gaining practical, hands-on experience.

During the same period, one of my works was featured in a photography exhibition held in a historic gallery in Cagliari, followed by additional exhibitions in 2020. This was an initial step that gave me a first solid foundation.

In November 2021, I took my first step toward Milan, working outside of Sardinia for the first time. Entering a more competitive environment meant putting myself completely on the line, without guarantees or any form of support, but with the awareness that it was the only way to truly grow.

In March 2022, one of my works was selected as Photo of the Week by Collateral Magazine, bringing my work beyond the local context.

Later that same year, I returned to Milan for new projects, starting to build a more consistent presence. At that point, it became clear that this was no longer a temporary move, but a defined direction.

In September 2023, I made my debut at Milano Fashion Week, working during the runway shows of Vivetta and Maxivive for magazines based in Berlin and Miami.

From that moment, my work became more established, allowing me to be consistently present in the following seasons. Between 2023 and 2026, I took part in six consecutive editions of Milano Fashion Week Women’s, building a stable presence and working during runway shows for brands such as Ermanno Scervino, Aniye Records, and Anteprima.

Entering Milano Fashion Week was a step. Staying there over time required consistency, adaptability, and a constant standard.

Over time, my approach has become increasingly defined: every image is constructed, not improvised. Every detail — from light to posture, from composition to atmosphere — is controlled to achieve a result that is consistent and recognizable.

In 2024, I began developing a second direction of my work in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, managing image and visual presence for brands and professionals in one of the most internationally recognized destinations.

In November 2025, at the age of 27, I founded AM STUDIO98. It is not a photography studio, but a brand built around a clear principle: image is a precise tool.

It is based on a method I developed over time, working on every detail — light, direction, posture, atmosphere — to achieve a clear result aligned with the positioning of those who use it.

For AM STUDIO98, an image is not something to simply look at.
It is something that defines how a person communicates who they are and the role they hold.

Today I work between Milan and Porto Cervo, on projects within the fashion and luxury sectors, both in professional contexts and in private settings, where image becomes part of what a person represents.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been anything but linear. Starting from a context entirely detached from the creative industry meant having zero access—no pre-existing connections, no network, and no predefined direction. Every single opportunity had to be created autonomously, bearing the full weight of every risk without any guarantee of the outcome.
In the early stages, the difficulty wasn’t merely technical. The true challenge was building a body of work with real value that could evolve over time. Without external references, every decision—from my operational methods to the strategic directions I chose—directly impacted my trajectory.

Moving to Milan marked a definitive change in scale. Entering a hyper-competitive system meant exposing myself to significantly higher standards, without the assurance of longevity. In that environment, rapid adaptation and absolute consistency became essential for survival. However, this friction with excellence provided the ultimate spark: I wasn’t just looking for a place in the market, but for an environment where an obsession with detail was the common language. That pressure wasn’t a constraint; it was the fuel that allowed my vision to evolve into a rigorous method.

From that point on, the challenge shifted: it was no longer about gaining entry, but about constructing a foundation that could sustain itself over time. This required radical selection, total control over my choices, and the ability to develop a clear identity that remained independent of external dynamics.

Over time, this path took the form of a defined structure. The birth of AM STUDIO98 represents the transition from an independent practice into a brand defined by a rigorous methodology—developed to be recognizable and sustainable in the long term.

Through every phase, the principle has remained the same: building from scratch, taking full responsibility for every choice, and transforming work into something structured and intentional, rather than occasional.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AM STUDIO98?
AM STUDIO98 operates across the fashion and luxury sectors, working on the image of professionals and brands and shaping it in line with the role they hold and the level of exposure they operate within.

Each project is built by defining all the elements that impact the result: light, direction, posture, composition and spatial management.
Attention is also given to what needs to be removed. Distractions, out-of-context elements and inconsistent details are eliminated to achieve images that are clean, credible and solid.

Milan and Porto Cervo represent the two poles of the work, defined by an international presence of brands and professionals and by high-exposure environments. In both cases, the work requires precision, adaptability and consistency.

The brand stands out for total control over the result and for an extremely precise attention to every detail, from spatial management to subject direction, through to the removal of any element that could distract or weaken the strength of the image.
The result is built to meet the required level, with no margin for error or compromise.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
AM STUDIO98 works with professionals and brands on their image, keeping it aligned with the roles they hold and the level at which they operate. Our work integrates into existing structures where every detail must be aligned.

Collaborations take place when image is a core part of how a person or brand is perceived. This includes assignments related to personal and brand communication, as well as editorial work and production.

Requests are evaluated based on their alignment with the work and the level required.

Direct contact: [email protected].
Work is visible on Instagram (@alessio__mascia) and at www.alessiomascia.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alessiomascia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessio__mascia?igsh=MWJtYmp4Mm0wdG93MQ==

Image Credits
• Pink textured outfit, profile portrait — JSALINAS FW 26–27, Milan Fashion Week

• White minimal look, frontal portrait — JSALINAS FW 26–27, Milan Fashion Week

• Coastal portrait, black and white — OCCEÁN, Porto Cervo

• Runway model, blue shirt look — ANTEPRIMA SS25, Milan Fashion Week

• Female portrait, black background — Mary Leest — Ermanno Scervino SS25, Milan

• Red velvet bag, gold detail — Dolce & Gabbana, Milan

• Coastal portrait, blue bikini — OCCEÁN, Porto Cervo

• Pink dress portrait, outdoor setting — Anna Dello Russo — Prada SS26, Milan