Tom started out in photography printing family and wedding pictures at his family’s photo business in NE Ohio. Tom was just eight years old and stood on wooden boxes to reach the equipment. Most pictures at that time were black & white, although color was beginning to take hold. Large format film cameras were the norm. Nothing automatic about those old things. Purely manual. A couple years later, Tom joined his father helping out on wedding and family portrait shoots. Still using those big old clunky cameras. At 17, Tom relocated to Chicago and continued working in photography, but thankfully 35mm film cameras had been invented. And then there was Kodachrome. For the next 35 years, film ruled and it was not until around the year 2000 that Tom got involved with digital. And there was no turning back. The digital single lens reflex (DSLR) was the camera of choice until approximately 2018 when the leading manufactures went full steam ahead with mirrorless. And so did Tom. The mirrorless cameras were smaller and lighter than previous DSLR models. While photography was evolving, Tom relocated to Jackson, Wyoming where he worked on landscape and wildlife imaging and travel photography. Tom also owned a photography studio in Jackson Hole engaging in thousands of commercial photo shoots as well as family sessions plus training on studio lighting and composition. Tom also operated tours and photo workshops in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Tom won numerous awards in the area where his work was shown at galleries and other establishments. Just a few years ago Tom relocated to Rochester, NY creating the opportunity to explore different parts of America. Showing at local galleries, Tom has continued to receive awards for his work. So there it is. A little history about the photo industry and about Tom. Meeting new people and going to new places are Tom’s favorite things. You’ll probably figure that out pretty fast when you join up for a zoom meeting to discuss your own imaging goals.

Vicki Rotolo

Hi, my name is Vicki and I’m so happy to have this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I started taking photos as a young girl - mostly because of my father’s influence. He was a Navy foreman and was lucky to have travelled the world. During those travels, he had managed to pick up a few 35 mm cameras and as soon as I was about 13, he started showing me how to use them.  

As I was growing up I also used an old Kodak Brownie camera, many instamatic cameras, Polaroids and even disposable cameras. At 17, I got my first 35mm Nikon FG camera for my birthday and it was then that I really fell in love with photography. At that time, most of the photos I took were of my family and friends, trips out west to California and the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite Park, and since I am from Long Island, many many beach scenes and sunsets on the water. Long Island is a beautiful place to live and to consider visiting with rolling hills, mansions, marinas, vineyards, charming coastal towns and views that go for miles to photograph.

After the Nikon, I purchased a Canon EOS Rebel, and kept on taking pictures. Then as film cameras began to fade out and digital cameras began to take hold, I found myself married with children and relying on my cellphone to take pictures. It wasn’t until I met Tom that I was given the opportunity to use a DSLR (he loaned me one of his) and then I subsequently decided to buy my own with his guidance. I currently own a Sony Mirrorless A7lll and a 24-105mm F4 lens. I recently entered a show at a local photo gallery and it was a great experience! I have also had a photo of mine chosen as a photo of the month by a Facebook group that I’m a member of and I photographed a baby shower for a friend’s daughter.

I love this camera and find going out to take photographs extremely satisfying and therapeutic and I hope to share my enthusiasm with you when it comes to teaching you to create beautiful images behind your camera lens!