How did you get started in photography?
I woke up one day, moved a finger, and started a thought that got me to call my friend Brendan who connected me to the West Coast Getty Photo editor. It all started there. Getty Images offers creative and editorial visual content globally, with over 415 million assets, including award-winning imagery, video, music, multimedia, and premium digital content. Getty Images works with over 340,000 contributors and hundreds of image partners to provide comprehensive coverage of more than 160,000 news, sport and entertainment events each year
What inspired you to become a photographer?
I originally worked with Peter Kramer and Evan Agostini for entertainment events. They were a great help. I also enjoyed the production of editorial photo shoots. I started my career in Milan, Italy, working in a production office for Andre Werther. It was great. My days were filled with castings and Polaroid photos, and my nights were filled with clubs, Italian food and the best in arts and culture.
What camera do you use?
I have a LOMO 35mm film camera. My professional gear is a bit dated, but it works for me. I have an original Canon 5D that I use with my 50mm 1.2 (beautiful lens), and then my Canon 7D I use two lenses with, 24–70mm f4 and a 70–200mm 2.8. I have an off-camera flash set up for parties and editing gear to do selects and sends.
How do you make money?
I do not make a lot of money. I have been unemployed for about three years. Recently I started doing business development with our family office. Mostly I parent my kids, which is not a paying job but far more satisfying than any other job I have ever had.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Nope, I always had confidence and a willingness to do whatever it takes. I kept saying yes, I kept doing the work, and clients kept calling.
How did you get your first client or customer?
My first client was a referral from a friend.
What does your typical day look like, and how do you make it productive?
I wake up around between 3 am and 4 am, I get up for an hour and then back to bed until 6 am. I go for a run in Central Park, I make my kids breakfast and get them off to school. I usually have a to-do list that I manage in the mornings, and then I eat lunch and make calls. I am single, so I date a lot here in NYC. I usually nap around 1 pm to 2 pm in the afternoon, and then I pick up the kids. I am joining a gym tomorrow.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The trends that excite me are the ones that I spot, I wear, and then I see others picking up on it. Monetary inflation keeps me up at night. Golf excites me as well as skiing. I used to be on a ski team and a coach and instructor. Fly fishing in Montana is a passion.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive?
I make lists and check off things when I get them done. It is a great way of tracking the progress of a day.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I worked at a data center for a company my father worked for. I learned that he wasn’t going to get me a job, I had to earn it, and that was a very valuable lesson.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why? (personal or professional)
A really cool hoodie.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I use Adobe Photoshop and Photo Mechanic, because they are the industry standard. I play speed chess online and casino craps. I like them because they are a time suck. I like Tinder too, I meet a bunch of cool people.
What are some of the photographers and photojournalists have influenced you?
Denis Paquin because he could get a photo out of anyone, and he was such a terrible person. Santi Lyon, was an incredible war photographer. All journalists influence me because they are the Fifth Estate.
What photograph of yours are you most proud of? Why?
There are so many. Recently, I caught my daughter emerging out of a shadow, and it’s a great shot!
If you could go back in time and shoot one event, what would you choose and why?
I’d like to have shot the Turin Olympics because I lived there, I speak Italian, and I have friends there.
