Paul Penciu is a Romanian-born, UK-based photographer working across fashion, portraiture and fine art. At the centre of his practice is a recurring question: what does it mean to reveal yourself?

Working through self-portraiture and in collaboration with performers, artists, brands and other creatives, Paul uses photography as a way of exploring identity, vulnerability and transformation. His images often sit somewhere between intimacy and spectacle, drawing on symbolism, theatricality and the body to create photographs that feel both personal and deliberate.

His practice moves between three interconnected areas: editorial and campaign fashion, portraiture of performers and drag artists, and conceptual fine art rooted in self-exploration. While the contexts may change, the intention remains the same — to create images that go beyond documentation and become an encounter between the subject, the image and the viewer.

Paul's work has been exhibited in the UK and internationally, including at The Holy Art Gallery in London, the Canvas International Art Fair in Venice, and the BCU x GRAIN Exhibition as part of The State of Photography Symposium in Birmingham. In 2023, he was selected for Birmingham City University's Inspired Festival, and in 2026 he was selected for the RBSA Next Generation Talent Programme.

His work has been published in ATTITUDE, SHUBA, BEAUTICA, SELIN, VIGOUR, MALVIE, MARIKA, The Style Researcher and ARTELLS Magazine.