ABOUT ME

You might know me from my Neon At Night Photography!  I go by NotYourAvgPhotoJoe !

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My Neon project, got me recognized and I was picked up as a blog writer for Platpod and appear on the PlatyPod Pros Page.  

 

https://www.platypod.com/pages/platypod-pros

 

All my Platypod Articles can be found at this LINK

Loving to challenge myself and always looking for something different to shoot, I did a two year project that started with shooting Colorful Neon Diners at night, and because I can’t leave well enough alone evolved into neon artwork with photoshop and lightroom.

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See my Neon At Night Project here https://neonatnight.myportfolio.com

 

I fell in love with photography at a very early age.  I grew up in a traditional Italian family  where everyone was at Sunday Dinner, including my Mom's cousin who was a part time wedding photographer.  He encouraged me to take pictures with him when he visited.

 

I continued with photography as a hobby in high school and college where I was photographer for the school year books and newspapers.

After college my camera got put in the closet for a while, but every so often I would take it out and continue my photography love affair.

 

When personal computers came out this became my new hobby and passion.  I learned all I could about them.  I built computers and troubleshooted them for friends and clients.  I taught software programs such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and eventually photo programs too.

 

 I learned to use the computer and software for a tee shirt business that I ran from my home.  As a result I became proficient in the use of CorelDraw and Photoshop, then later on I learned Lightroom.

 

Fast forward to the Digital Photo Age, I discovered that I could merge two of my passions into one hobby.  I loved working on computers and now I was able to bring my photos and computing together.  I even learned how to make photo tee shirts for my business.  Over the years I created over 25,000 graphic designs for tee shirts, banners, embroidered patches and lapel pins.

 

In 2000 I joined Island Photo Group, where I began to learn more about photography from the other members.  But in 2001 with the attack on the World Trade Center I once again had to put my hobby on hold. (I was a Police Officer for the Port Authority and we were required to work long hours for the next two years)

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 In 2002 I rejoined IPG because I recognized the value of learning photography from others.  I was also a member of the Wantagh Camera Club.

I served as President of IPG for two years and held other offices and Board positions during my membership.

 

I still love to take pictures, and I try to take a camera everywhere that I go.

 

Noted Photo Accomplishments:

 

• Official Photographer for the Port Authority Police during Pope Benedict XVI Visit in 2009

• Blog Writer PlatyPod

• I worked for 5 years as a Professional Wedding Photographer and Album Designer.

• Lightroom and Photoshop Tutor