Leonardo Cairo at 15, entranced by the works of Robert Doisneau, Henry Cartier-Bresson, Willy Ronis, Eugene Atget and Brassai, elects to become a photographer. When 19, while attending the Architecture Faculty at the "Politecnico di Milano", begins his work as photo assistant to Gionni Ricci. 

 

In 2001, together with a few other artists is selected to represent the city of Milan at the celebrated "Premio Mecenate". The exhibition, being sponsored by "Gli amici della Scala", is in the famous La Scala Theatre in Milano. . In the foreword to the catalog of the "Premio Mecenate" the milanese critic Giorgio Taborelli had stated: "Leonardo Cairo is a great photographer who has surprised us with his dry pictures of Salvador, Brazil.

 

They successfully demonstrate his craftsmanship. His attention to life is without prejudice and his shots are analytical and free from useless clamor..." Since 2004 he began working with advertising agencies that have noted his work in magazines: he shoots interesting photos for Grana Padano " Taglio Sartoriale " (Tailor-made Cut 2008) and takes pictures for other food and furniture companies.

 

Since 2009 he lives between Brazil and Italy. Besides continuing to photograph also deals with manual therapies, alternative medicines. In 2010 realized the photos of creative dishes prepared by chef Fabrizio Ferrari published in "Mille e un panettone". This book won the Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards in the category "Best single subject cookbook"