Fortebraccio

Born in northern Italy, Gian Andrea di Stefano studied painting as a child. His passion for photography began in his teenage years, experimenting with a pocket camera and teaching himself through mistakes and surprises. He later moved to Milan for college, where his photography evolved, rooted in the arts of architecture and the theater. While studying and working as a stage director, he developed a unique approach to interacting with his subjects, seeking a specific balance on his sets and creating a dialogue with the person in front of the lens. It was during this period that Gian Andrea began working as a fine art photographer.

Gian Andrea eventually moved to New York, shifting his focus to fashion photography while maintaining a strong artistic imprint in his work. He soon collaborated with Jennifer Lopez for her clothing line, and later with Beyoncé for two years, experiences that helped him transition into celebrity portraiture. His photography now spans a wide range of work published globally, including advertorial campaigns for the fashion and music industries, celebrity portraiture, and numerous editorial features. He has also collaborated with Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Brooke Shields, Claire Danes, Alicia Keys, Vanessa Hudgens, Adrian Grenier, Christie Brinkley, Chris Brown, David Boreanaz, Callie Thorne, among others.

During the suspension of commercial activities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Gian Andrea began developing a new fine art photography project. He created his artistic persona, Fortebraccio, allowing him to explore more freely and separate his personal work from his commercial practice. In 2022, he began shooting Unholy Heroes, a major body of work. Fortebraccio currently lives in New York, dividing his time between Europe and the United States.