Family Photoshoot

The Dell'Aquila's 

Today I will be photographing a family I have been photographing for a few years now, the Dell'Aquila's. Kelly, Vince and the children Eve and William. I have to say out of all the kids and families I have photographed in the past this family is the best! Photographing kids is not easy. You need a lot of energy to keep up with them. 

Today since we will be outdoors at Central Park for the shoot I'm resorting to the 18-270mm, f3.5 Tamron lens. If we were to shoot indoors I would use the 24-70mm, f2.8 Tamron lens. 

Here are some portraits I took of them previously. The one with the yellow fall leaves behind them is the photo they used for their Christmas card last year. 

Great documentary about photography:

Finding Vivian Maier

Finally! I have been dying to see this movie for a year now ever since a young man named John Maloof purchased a box of her negatives for $380.00 at an auction and then later realized after examining the contents that he was onto something and that her work was really good. He needed to get the word out there and research who she was and what her story was behind the camera. 

The movie came out in early 2014 but only showed in the city for a very short time and by the time I saw it advertised in the papers it was gone. Then yesterday I saw that it was showing at my local library. I called to reserve a copy and watched it last evening. It was spectacular and mysterious. It made me feel sorry for her on how her life ended physically and also that she never got any recognition for her work until a few years after her death only because of being discovered by accident. I am watching it again tonight. 

Now I do not want to give too much away to the readers who have not seen it yet but her entire life story or most of it I should say, what could be found, was indeed very interesting. She was a nanny it seems her entire life and even nannied for Phil Donahue for a short time and she photographed him and his children also. Vivian was what they call a street photographer. Her work dealt with all kinds of people and emotion. Ranging from the very young to the old. She was always outside walking the city with whatever children she was caring for at the time photographing people in the street. She also seemed to have a dark side and a bit of a dark past that researches found difficult to get any insight on but everyone seemed to have a good idea she must have not had a good childhood which seemed to contribute to her hoarding and reclusiveness later in life. Perhaps the reason she did not or would not  show her work. 

In my opinion she had a great distrust for people, especially her family. Psychologically I feel that she became a nanny so she could feel that she belonged to a family even though they were not hers but to feel needed and have a sense of belonging, to be a part of, to be loved. I feel that as becoming a recluse grew and enclosed her life, her work is what helped her get out and mingle so to speak. It was her way of communicating but at the same time staying away. 

This movie is a must see for all photographers or artist! I give it 5 stars!

http://www.findingvivianmaier.com

Bike Tour West: Final Words.

My husband and I took almost the same trip last year! Except my reason for this trip was about photography. Incredible journey. Looking forward to sharing our story on the blog.



Bike Tour West: Final Words.: What an incredible adventure! We are happy and proud to have completed the whole trip without mishap. The bikes never missed a beat and...

The Race of Gentlemen

I would like to begin by apologizing to my fans who have been waiting on pins and needles for this story of my travelographic journey to Wildwood, NJ to photograph what is promptly called, "The Race of Gentlemen." Now rumor has it those in charge named it that so the authorities wouldn't hassle them but I have to say they really were gentlemen.
Now one of the reasons I chose to photograph this event is because I am a motorcycle and hot rod enthusiast and I appreciate the fact that this group of men and women are keeping alive a tradition and a spirit of days gone by when cars and bikes were cool and it was all about the fun and racing and of course the style of it all. The love for the entire "art" of it all. The clothes, music. It all just gelled then. I also have to add that it's not just some old guys running around with their old toys! No! The younger guys and gals are getting into the scene also. Keeping it alive! I think it's great! With all this somehow I think a part of me wishes I grew up in that era. Sigh.
I arrived late afternoon Friday and there was a bit of chill in the air. I was hoping the race wouldn't be cancelled due to rumors of the dreaded word, "rain". But by the next morning the rain blew through and all was clear...sort of. There was no rain on the beach but it was overcast and a bit windy and chilly.
One of the things I really dislike when it comes to photography and equipment is bringing my equipment to a sandy, windy beach. I don't want to digress but I must mention this. Sand will ruin your equipment if you are not careful. If it's windy it will find a way to get inside your lenses and camera bodies. One thing I learned from another photographer, Mike Lichter, was that he never changes his lenses. He carries 3 bodies housing the 3 lenses he intends on shooting with for any event. I assisted him during the Laconia Motorcycle Rally this past June and let me tell you those bodies with lenses and monopods are heavy and I know for myself I can't lug around all that equipment unless I had an assistant. Something to think about for you budding photographers. So my advice is for any reason, do not change your lenses on the beach!! Either bring extra bodies or just resort to one lens or if you must change lenses do it back at your hotel room. I cringed watching the other photographers using their lenses to lean on in the sand so they can check the led display on the back of the camera.
Sorry to digress but I had to put that out there just incase. I'm sure someone reading this will remember and thank this article in the future. Remember sand is not your camera's friend. 

Alright, so I thought I might have an issue considering the sun wasn't shining and I already had planned in my head prior to my arrival what it was I was looking for in a photograph for this event but what I discovered is that the clouds and chill actually added to the drama in the photos. I also want to post a short video because I feel the music that was playing really added drama and created a feeling that I stepped back in time. I want my readers to feel and see what I was experiencing not only through the photos but through video as well. Also just to let you know there was a person spinning 45's of music from the 50's and 60's during the races and the after party back at the hotel at night. All that was transpiring lent itself to the charm of the weekend.

I know it's only a few seconds but the point is in my opinion sometimes when you are trying to make a point or create a feeling in a photograph or an event music helps. A quote I found on Pinterest said it all. "Music is what feeling sounds like." 

Here are a few photographs taken Saturday afternoon. 

Ready to race! 

I'm winning! 

GO!!

Ominous sky

Closer....closer....

Sara flagging the start of a race!

Hit it! 

Great fun! Great people! Needless to say just as everyone was digging the scene mother nature decided to get involved and unfortunately ended the races in the early afternoon by bringing in the tide.

Incase anyone is wondering about story behind the Oilers podium out in the ocean getting ready to collapse and wash away, from what I was told by one of the racers was that it was put there earlier in the week and at the time it was all beach but a storm or hurricane came up from the south and brought the tide in so the podium was unsafe to use. Another was set up behind myself and the fans for the announcer and the DJ. In my opinion it really lent itself to the drama and intrigue in the photographs. Also, just to give you a little background, the Oilers are one of the many hot rod groups that were at the event. 

Like I was saying earlier one of the reasons I am nostalgic about these auto's is besides the fact they are cool and a lot of fun, the art that went into creating these vehicles is sometimes intriguing and interesting as in this hot rod that was parked under the awning of the hotel. It was after the race ended and I was walking around in town looking for subjects to photograph and there she was in all her beauty with her own reflective pool beneath her that just added to the scene. 

Whimsical detail in a different hot rod

This is Mel who was the organizer for the event. I love taking candid portraits of people. They just are more themselves that way, without knowing. Not posed. I think it lends more to the story and intrigue to the viewer as to what they imagine the person is thinking or feeling at the moment. Photography is about emotion. 

Personally I think this photo has a big story and evokes many questions for the viewer like why is his foot wrapped up? Who is he staring at? What kind of bike is that and is he getting ready to race or kick the shit out of someone? Who knows? But that's what makes it interesting. 

Here are some more candid portraits and a sunrise photograph on Sunday morning. Plus, some of the guys racing around on the sand before the masses showed up and the other photographers. I had them all to myself. 

Hollywood kicking up some sand

Getting ready to race!

Guys surfing during the races

Having a great time! 

I have to say many times I will turn my photographs black and white or add some antiqueness to them by under saturating the tones which I tried with these photographs figuring it would add to the feeling that they were taken way back in the day but I have to say their beauty really speaks for themselves just the way they are. The candidness, the weather, the lighting, the outfits and of course the cars and bikes all added something to the emotion of the art portrayed at this event. I really enjoyed photographing these very interesting and fun group of people that I can't wait to return next year.

Race of Gentlemen

Ok, so this weekend I am off to photograph an event called the "Race of Gentlemen" in Seaside heights, NJ. This is an event that was only started a few years ago which brings together enthusiast who dress in period clothing and race antique motorcycles and hot rods on the beach! Hopefully the weather will cooperate. This will be a glimpse into another facet of the type of photography I enjoy photographing and a bit of my personal life combined.
My husband Bill and I ride motorcycles. Well, I don't ride myself. I sit on the back and photograph. Last year we took a trip from Long Island all the way to Nova Scotia and the headed west into the Rocky Mountains visiting Yellowstone and beyond. I don't want to digress too much. I will get into that story and share my photographic journey with everyone later on.
So for the event this weekend we will be taking the bike, a 2005 Harley Davidson Road Glide which I properly named the Cadillac because it is a smooth ride! It is a bit chilly out this morning so I will have to dress accordingly but hopefully as we progress south the weather will warm up. The sun is out at the moment so I am optimistic. It should be an exciting adventure. After my return I will post photographs from the event. In the mean time here is the link:

http://www.theraceofgentlemen.com 

Chat with you on the flip! 

In Honor of a Treasured cat named Weewee.

Well I am not sure if I should mention this in my blog but since my little friend is pictured here with me I feel the need to honor her unfortunately in memoriam. She has had many names over the years but I call her Weewee. She was part of a litter of kittens that were born under my shed and she was the runt, sickly so I took her in. She has had her health issues over the years but besides that she has brought my husband and I lots of laughter and joy. She was more like a little girl than a cat. This is what I wrote on my Facebook page in her honor:

"She was a little cat with a big personality. She always had a lot to say. Loved the sun and the snow and joined me in my morning routine and would run to greet me at the door when I got home from work. Played shoelaces with Billy and sighed at me when I wouldn't get out of bed. She loved company especially children. I think she thought she was one of them. Loved to play ballerina and yell at me on Saturday mornings when I was taking too long to give her a can or treat. She was special and those that knew her know that to be true. You had a good life kid. You will be missed."


Unfortunately, she had complications during an ultrasound but it is believed that overall she had cancer. My heart is broken. We miss her terribly. 

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Halloween when the kids came trick or treating for candy she was right there joining in. She loved children.

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Cuddling with her daddy. 

Dagny Victoria Gallo Photography on Blogger! 

Finally! I have been procrastinating creating a blog because I didn't know where to begin. So I guess the best place to start telling my story is the present. Then possibly work backwards with a few flash forwards and maybe a dream sequence or two thrown in. LoL! Is it ok to "lol' here or is that restricted to social networks? 

Well, let me begin by saying I am a photographer, obviously, I think some of you may find my story quite grand and some of you may find it crazy and then some may find it awe inspiring and then some of you may be like, "whatever" and think I'm making the entire thing up. But believe me, I'm not. 

Ok, so let me start by telling everyone that I have been photographing for almost 20 years now. By the way this is a flashback. I took up the interest when I was young, early teens, and so for my birthday I received as a gift my first Kodak instant camera called "The Handle"! It had a crank handle on the side that you turned to get the picture out to let it expose in the light after you took the shot.  You had to purchase a cartridge that held only 10 instant picture cards in it which in those days was expensive. $10 a pack for 10 photos! In the 70's that was a lot of money to be spending on pictures. But I saved my allowance and that would always be the first thing I purchased once I saved up enough money. 

That is not my photo. I took it from the Internet because I wanted to show everyone what it looked like. It was big and clunky but I thought it was the coolest thing back then. 

Ok, so not to digress too much. I just wanted to give everyone a hint of background of where it all began. 

So now here comes the flash forward to the present. Here we are in the present. Much has happened since photographing with my Kodak Handle from the 1970's and photographing now in the digital age in 2014 and in my world of photography in general. Most good but some not so good experiences with photographing but that is life. You have to learn to take the good with the bad and keep moving forward. If there is any advice I can give those just beginning to venture into photography is always, "prepare for the worst!" and by that I mean always have a backup plan! Bring extra SD cards, batteries, back up camera, rain gear! Yes, rain gear and never ever trust the weather man. NEVER! This advice not only comes from a professional photographer but one who shoots outdoors a lot while riding or rather is a passenger on a motorcycle and the last thing you want is for your digital camera to get wet. They are not water proof. Only the ones that say they are. Equipment is expensive. Take care of it. www.noaa.gov is who you can go to for accurate weather. 

Ok, so, I just completed my very first article for a publication called Thunder Press which covers motorcycling events whether it's raising money for charity events or rallies or races or whatever revolves around the motorcycle and the motorcycling world. The event I covered was the Dee Snider Run (Yes Dee Snider from Twisted Sister) for Long Island Cares which is a food bank that collects donations of food or money to help feed the homeless and impoverished families here on Long Island. Dee Snider always comes out once a year to support a charity and for the last 10 years has supported March of Dimes but this year and last decided to help raise funds for Long Island Cares. Long Island Cares was started by the late Harry Chapin's family following his tragic and untimely death in 1981. While he was on his way to his own benefit concert here on Long Island, was accidentally struck and killed on the Long Island Expressway. For those of you young-in's who aren't familiar with Harry Chapin he was a folk singer, songwriter from back in the day who's biggest hits were, "Taxi" and "Cats in the Cradle". He was a real humanitarian and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1987, six years after his death. 

Some shots from the Dee Snider Run for Long Island Cares

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all rights reserved on all images

Anyway, back to the original point of the paragraph. I met Shadow (her moniker) who is an editor for Thunder Press while I was assisting another famous photographer, Mike Lichter who is a photojournalist for Easyrider Magazine. Shadow saw Mike from a distance, I really don't know how considering we were swimming in a sea of people, bikes and vendors but she did and she came over to talk to Mike, he introduced me to her. She asked where I was from, I said, "Long Island". She said, "Hmm, I don't have coverage there. Do you write?" I said, "I like to but I never have professionally." She said, "Well how would you like to write for us?" "It's not a lot of money, nothing you are going to retire on but it's something". I thought for a minute and said ok. We exchanged information and I told her I would be in touch after the Laconia Motorcycle Rally week was over and that I had an article of interest that Thunder Press may like some coverage on, and just like that folks I became a photojournalist. 

Now don't get me wrong. Things didn't happen for me overnight. I've come a long way over many years and will elaborate about my "Travelography" and other works later. But for now I'm basking in the delight that someone asked me to do something that I thought I would never aspire to do. I was never interested in photojournalism in the beginning. It just evolved that way.