Szilveszter Makó's Surreal Portraiture Blends Analog Techniques with Celebrity Collaborations

Milan-based photographer Szilveszter Makó creates enigmatic portraits that blend subjects with theatrical environments and handmade props. His work draws inspiration from Surrealism and grotesque art, utilizing chiaroscuro effects and earth tones to evoke dreamlike realms. Makó employs an unorthodox analog process involving chemical reactions, producing subtle grain and halation rather than digital manipulation. His distinctive mise en scène features recycled materials, sculptural garments, and a recurring box motif that serves as both restriction and liberation. The artist collaborates with fashion houses like Schiaparelli, Maison Margiela, Prada, and Bottega Veneta, alongside commercial brands including Zara and Adidas. Despite working with celebrities such as Bad Bunny, Elle Fanning, Michelle Yeoh, Willem Dafoe, and Cate Blanchett, Makó treats all subjects equally in his collaborative studio environment. His images have been published in Vogue, The Cut, Acne Paper, Vanity Fair, and GQ. Makó's background as a painter informs his photographic approach, which welcomes spontaneous moments to prevent images from becoming cold and calculated.