My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic X-15F, a gift from my mom in the late 1960s. I took it everywhere, and it still sits on my desk to this day.

That’s me in Italy, sometime in the late 80s or early 90s, surrounded by cameras, bags of film, tripods, reflectors, and light meters. Photographing in Italy was a dream—the people, the cobblestone streets, the hidden alleyways, the fog rising over majestic valleys, and the breathtaking rolling hills that look like paintings. It was simply spectacular. Back in New York during the mid 80s to early 2000s, I spent my days selling wine and freelancing with a few photo studios after hours. I’d shoot for news wires when my beeper went off, while also doing my street photography and art projects. Through my freelance work, I had access to some very cool events filled with celebrities and some of New York’s best characters . Photography was such a significant part of my early years I saw the world through my lens and wanted to capture every moment. With the help of family and friends I may attempt to publish a book or two from my vast archives along with partaking in a few photography shows….