Tokyo Streets X, organized by Adam Benedicto, was an event held at WPÜ that brought together photographers, artists, and creatives from both the local and international community. The exhibition served as a platform to showcase diverse perspectives and talents, highlighting the vibrant creative culture that connects cities around the world.

Among the participating photographers was Nicola Antonazzo, an Italian documentary photographer currently based in Brooklyn, New York. While we were immediately drawn to his work, we were equally curious about the person behind the lens. After all, encountering someone who has traveled thousands of miles to share their perspective feels like an opportunity too meaningful to simply pass by.

Nearly ten years have passed since Nicola Antonazzo first picked up a camera, yet his passion and fascination for photography remain much the same as when he started. What began as simple curiosity quickly grew into something more serious – from purchasing an inexpensive camera to eventually applying for a photo pass in London to photograph a band playing in the city. That early step opened doors that would lead to his images being used as press materials and eventually signing with a UK label.

His influences come from a mixture of experiences. Living in New York City exposes him to countless moments every day – from human-to-human interactions to the observations of people moving through an endlessly busy city. His background also plays an important role in his work: clean compositions, subtle details, and moments that suggest a story without revealing everything at once. For Nicola, New York is a place where cultures, languages, and perspectives constantly intersect. If you approach people with genuine curiosity, he believes they often open up, allowing you to discover something deeper than just an image – a moment you can only truly understand by experiencing it.

When asked how his approach to photography has changed over time, Nicola explains that instinct now plays a larger role in his process. While he has always been drawn to photographing people, he no longer focuses solely on getting the “perfect” shot. Instead, he relies more on intuition –  capturing moments that communicate something meaningful. Over time, his approach has shifted from shooting randomly to being more deliberate, studying his subjects carefully in order to capture something that truly resonates.

In many ways, Nicola’s journey began with something simple: an email and a genuine curiosity to pursue what interested him. That curiosity eventually grew into a body of work now shared with audiences around the world.

“Send that email. Buy that camera if you can. Ask someone if they’d like to be photographed. You’d be surprised how many people say yes rather than no.”

Sometimes the most meaningful paths begin before we feel fully ready. Spontaneity can take us to unexpected places, and Nicola’s story is a reminder that the most important step is often simply to begin.