I'm here to produce art that reminds you of what matters in life:
the love of family and friends.
The Backstory:
It sounds super cliche to say I grew up with a camera in my hand…so I won't. I mean seriously, I didn't come out of the womb with a love for f-stops and shutter speeds. I didn't really even enjoy being in front of the camera as a child. In fact, I wanted to believe that if I covered my eyes, it couldn't see me.
(Heck of a way to convince you to hire me eh? Keep reading, we're getting there.)
I did have a strange obsession for picture frames. Ask my parents, my room became an homage to my family and friends. No two picture frames were EVER allowed to be the same. Even with that love of frames from around the world, I still hadn't put two and two together to equal "photographer."
And then, there's "Grandma Flash." My grandmother always had a camera in hand at family gatherings. She isn't a professional, she just loves her grandkids. As a "grown adult", she handed me an album, filled with every picture she had collected or taken of me throughout my childhood. Birthday parties, school plays, holidays, graduations, they were all there. It was fascinating. For one-she actually had photographs of me where I wasn't hiding from the camera. Secondly, look at all of those moments of us together-so powerful. It makes me feel so blessed.
My aha Moment:
It's 2008, I'm a creative mind, with a Bachelor's Degree in the Arts. I'm recently married and I have a niece and a nephew, whom I'm constantly photographing. And then after a few glasses of wine, an Aunt asks me to photograph her wedding. I accept, unknowing at the time of how much I would come to LOVE capturing the relationships and moments of a wedding.
And so it all comes together. I realize now, that it wasn't the unique frames I fell in love with, but the relationships captured on the photographs inside of the frames. And I couldn't know it when I was a self-conscious 7 year old, but Gram had taught me the importance of capturing those moments just by being a proud grandma. It took time, but I began to realize the value of what I was doing. I started Perrotta Creative and began booking portraits and weddings in 2009. I haven't looked back since.
Who I am now:
I'm a daughter, granddaughter, cousin, sister, friend, wife, "Auntie" and photographer. My clients begin as strangers and become my friends.
What I love:
- My husband: His support means everything to me. Without him, I'd eat cereal for dinner…daily.
- I love reading a good book, with real paper pages.
- Giving Back: With my time and talents to the local and global community.
- Wine: A good glass of wine is key, perferably with friends
- Dogs: all dogs, big or little. If I could I'd have a whole houseful of four legged friends.
- Breakfast for dinner, chocolate, ice cream and cookies… who doesn't?
- Traveling: It may not happen often enough, but I want to see as much of this world as I can.
- Celebrating the day by living life to the fullest. Each day is a gift. By doing what I love, I control my destiny and fulfill my dreams.
My Education: Past and Continuing
I graduated from Canisius College, in Buffalo NY in 2004 with a Bachelors Degree in Digital Media Arts and a minor in Fine Arts. I am also a member of the Greater Rochester Professional Photographers, an affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America. Through workshops and conferences, books and blogs, I'm always striving to expand my creativity and technical knowledge.
When I say "We": The Rest of Perrotta Creative
I spend a lot of time working with Lori A. Coleman. She owns her own studio, Light and Ink, in Fairport NY. Whenever I need a second photographer, she's my girl. So when I say "we," I mean this awesome chick.
