MARIA: Hey Paul! PAUL: Hey Maria! How's it going?
MARIA: How's it going?
MARIA: What're you doing here? Well, I'm here at Edge.
We're about to give a masterclass for some people who won a contest, way back when.
I'm here by myself, so that's why I'm mask-less for the time being.
So, now you found me!
MARIA: Cool! So, I figured I'd ask you 21 questions. I'm gonna hop right into it.
PAUL: Sure!
MARIA: So, tell the audience: what kind of photography do you shoot?
I shoot a broad range of...
Aerial, city, landscape.
I also do whole lot of portraiture and headshots and weddings and events.
But I'm mostly known for my cityscapes and for my aerial photography.
MARIA: Cool! And, so, what exactly will you be shooting today at the Edge?
Today is a sunrise event!
So, we are going to be seeing the city come alive from on top of this marvelous observation deck.
MARIA: Cool! And, how have you been using your time during this pandemic?
[sighs] Pandemic. Uh, yeah...
Well, that's been a challenge.
There's been a lot of pivoting and...
From "the plan" that you make for yourself for 2020.
But, basically just trying to find people and companies who may have some budget--
because they've had to change their plan as well--
and are willing to try something new.
So, I've been working with--I just finished a campaign with Canon.
Cameras. Canon USA...
Where we did the Canon Road Trip throughout the North East
chasing fall foliage, waterfalls, even a...
A wild elk herd in Pennsylvania, so that was pretty cool
MARIA: Cool! And tell us, what got you started in photography?
It's actually a funny story. I was...
I was going to New Mexico, Santa Fe area...
And, I had a little point and shoot.
It was Canon...
And I'd never been there before, so I just started taking pictures. I was enamored with the landscape.
And I really remembered--
'cause I did take little manual film class when I was in high school--
how much I enjoyed it, so...
It just, kind of, re-sparked that.
And, slowly but surely, I would just ring my little camera with me everywhere I went.
And then it just started to--
The obsession started to grow into thoughts of "Maybe I can do this for a living."
And then, had some encouragement from other photographers.
Started learning as much as I could.
Started shooting as much as I could, and...
You know, over time, years, it grows into what you see now.
MARIA: And, so what's your go-to camera and lens now?
Right now, I am shooting on the Canon EOS R5.
And I have my 16-35 version 3 lens
for some nice wide views to see off the deck here.
MARIA: And what made you so fascinated with aerial photography?
You know, it was, uh...
It was, we're talking 5 years ago. Beyond 5 years. And...
It was just something new and exciting that was happening in New York.
And seeing New York--the most photographed city in the world--from a different perspective
was something I knew I had to try [fumbles over words]
After answering this question time and time again,
I've always, as a kid--even as a kid
I always wanted to climb to the highest place to see
the most that I could see.
You know, growing up in the North East, we have a lot of trees.
The sky is small, so when you're given an opportunity to see a vista,
it's completely different for us North Easters.
So, that was really, kind of, part being influenced by social media,
but also I want that experience for myself.
MARIA: And, you shoot other styles of photography as well though, right?
What other styles are your favorite?
Uh, let's see...
I really do enjoy working with people.
And as stressful as they can be, I love the evolution of relationships on a wedding day.
There's the bride and groom, who you have spent some time with.
Getting to know them, planning out the day, etc., etc.
But, it's the family members that really make it fun.
You know, everybody starts off a little bit skittish and scared and, uh... stand-off-ish.
But, as the day goes, and, I'm sure, the drinks flow a little bit,
everybody loosens up, and we all tend to have a really, really great time together.
MARIA: That's great!
And, so, what is your Concierge Photography service?
Right, Concierge Photography is a subpage that I have on my website,
and it is an offering to folks who are going on that once-in-a-lifetime vacation with their family.
Maybe they're going to a city, or they have the wherewithal to go to, you know, a private island.
Or something along those lines. It's extreme and luxury-based.
But, basically, I would accompany you on your vacation,
and I would get up and do all the sunrises and sunsets
and get all the quaint little corners of wherever you decided to go.
And then, based on your desires, we would do a family shoot.
And then, at the end, I would present you with an album of your incredible vacation to the most wonderful place in the world.
MARIA: Wow, that seems like the dream job! [laughs]
Right? Yeah, I've had no takers yet,
but I leave it up there just in case.
MARIA: Cool!
MARIA: And, so do you have any projects you're working on or coming up?
Um... [sighs]
You know what, I'm still actually just, kind of,
cleaning up and rounding out the last campaign that I was on with Canon.
So, right now, my focus is definitely on that,
and making sure that we get all our t's crossed and our i's dotted.
But yeah, there's hope for more and...
You know, as we get into the winter months, finding something...
finding something new and exciting to participate in.
MARIA: Cool. And so, what's your favorite part when shooting aerials.
Well, uh, I guess, probably... [sighs]
Finding that unique perspective.
Right? This is a 13-mile island...
And the flights that I do around here don't vary too much
unless I make a special flight plan for the island.
So to find something to be able to frame it and...
So that it's recognizable, but also... a frame that no one else has shot before,
which is kinda hard on this small, little, tiny island.
Is what I'm always going for.
I'm always looking for that one shot that, like, for me, I'm happy with.
MARIA: And so, what are some time tips for somebody looking to captures the perfect photo from above?
[Blows air] Uh, that's a very...
Specific question, um... [both laugh]
I would say...
Being comfortable and knowing your camera as much as you can before you go up.
Settings change from shooting out and getting that, kind of, broad perspective and panorama,
to looking straight down.
So, you have to be quick on your feet.
And you have to know--or at least try and set up your shot, settings-wise--
before you're right where you need to take the picture.
MARIA: Right...
And, so, you're clearly not afraid of heights. [Paul laughs]
Are you afraid of anything else? [Maria laughs]
Um... I'm not a huge fan of spiders.
Um... just because they're this big, and they are very menacing... to me [laughs]
MARIA: And, what has been the coolest place to fly over and photograph?
Uh... Let's see.
I have to say it was Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.
It is I believe the second-largest national park in the National Park System.
It also has no roads.
Has no access point.
There's no hut to welcome you.
And somebody to look--It's just like, you're going in.
And a lot of people who are climbers will get flown in and dropped in in a certain area.
And we had an opportunity, when I was up there last summer,
to capture that beauty, and that was...
I don't know. I mean, you're in the Arctic Circle.
And, you know, you're 100 and some-odd miles from the Arctic Ocean.
So, it was one of those things that will stick with me for a long time.
MARIA: That's amazing! And, is there a location on your bucket list?
Oooh, I would love to do some work in the South West.
I've had an opportunity to fly over part of the Grand Canyon
while I was out doing some work in Nevada,
but I think, definitely, the ability to see some of the landscapes from above in Utah would be absolutely amazing.
MARIA: Sunset or sunrise?
Sunrise guy. [Maria laughs]
Yeah, definitely. As you can see, I'm here for sunrise.
But for me, sunrise is special because not everybody has the go-getter attitude.
And a lot of the times, I'll get the shot that nobody else has.
Which is really, really cool.
MARIA: Does it ever get old going up on a helicopter.
Uh, no. Not really.
To answer your question succinctly, no.
There's just so much to see.
So many things to look at and try and capture.
And it's just what you're choosing to do that day to fill the time.
MARIA: And, is there a corner of New York City that you haven't captured yet?
Yeah, um...
I've done a few fly-by's of Coney Island, but...
I think the most unexplored area for me would be Queens.
Like I wanna fly over the...
The giant globe out there in Flushing Meadows Parkin the springtime.
And get some of that, kind of, look-down action with all the flowering cherries that are out there, so.
That's probably the next shot on my "Have To Get" shotlist for sure.
MARIA: Sure! And, if you weren't a photographer, what would you be?
Oof... I mean, I know what I was before!
[laughs] I was a landscaper.
Um, but, uh....
I think I would probably be pursuing music more,
as that's what my degree is in, and I was teaching music lessons for 20 years, so.
Some way, I'd be either writing music,
or trying to continue that gig lifestyle that I seem to be stuck in for my entire life.
[laughs]
MARIA: And, what's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Uh, that's an interesting question. Um... You know, there's this--
A few mottos that you have in your life.
And, you know, some ones from when you're working physical-labor jobs is like,
"Work smart, not hard."
But, I think the one that means the most is, to me, is
"Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard."
So, put in the time. Learn your craft.
Make sure that you're diligently pursuing what it is that you set your goal to be,
and work at it because it's not gonna just happen.
MARIA: Awesome...
And, aside from your camera, what's your favorite piece of gear?
[sighs] Um...
I don't know. I guess my computer, right? [both laugh]
Because, if I didn't have my computer, I wouldn't be able to craft my photos
into something that's different, it's unique, and it's personal to me.
So, yeah. My laptop. [laughs]
MARIA: And, if there were to be a movie about your life, who would play you?
[sighs] Man, I don't know. I feel like it would be, like...
A combination of Seth Rogan and James Franco--
[Maria laughs] --mixed into one person.
I mean, I'm a Seth Rogan-esque person, but, you know. I don't know. Something like that.
MARIA: Cool! And, last question, who should we interview next?
Uh... I would recommend Eric Hercules.
He's a huge proponent for the community.
He's an incredible creator.
He's precise. He's educated. He knows what he's doing.
And, he's created something that's unique unto himself.
MARIA: Okay, perfect! We'll call him right up!
Alright, awesome. Well, as you can see, we're getting some good light.
So, I'm gonna head out there right now. MARIA: Okay, get out there!
Thanks, Maria! MARIA: Thanks!
PAUL: Alright, bye! MARIA: See ya!
[relaxing electronic music]