Conversations with the Inspiring Angela Russo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Russo.

Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from Biloxi, MS and started my love for photography back in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. It was the most terrible part of my life, our town on the Coast had everything destroyed. We didn’t have power for about 3 months. I remember taking my mom’s small, Nikon camera. I would run around the beach and photograph the debris and torn down buildings. Once the camera died, I was unable to charge it. My parents would go to Walmart and buy me disposable Kodak cameras, so I could stay busy. I knew then, at the age of 10, I was going to become a photographer at some point in my life.

My dad is originally from Boston, so after Hurricane Katrina, we packed up everything and headed up here. I went to Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. They had a Technical Illustrations program, which allowed students in that shop to express their art and creativity. I instantly looked at my teachers and told them that I’m coming into this shop and becoming a photographer, that it’s my passion. I’ve always naturally had an artistic side. I’ve loved drawing and designing as long as I can remember. I was cheerleading for varsity football and basketball and by senior year, I knew I had to leave cheering to focus on photography. I also put my sketch books away and pencils. I ended up doing the photography for the yearbook and focused just on that. I loved being able to capture the moments for everyone, even though it made me be behind the camera. I knew I was capturing every, little moment for people to look back on, and I was content with that idea. I wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for my amazing parents and awesome siblings.

After high school, I gave myself some time to work on my photography. I was then accepted into the New England School of Photography (NESOP.) I had waited 3 years to become accepted into the International Center of Photography, located in Manhattan, NY though. As. of this year, I have been accepted into Manhattan for part time classes. It was my decision to leave NESOP and go down a path that I knew would be better for me. I’ve made some great connections there, as well as a mentor for myself, Diandra Barnwell, who most know her from So Cosmo on E! for Cosmopolitan. We had been planning shoots for quite some time, and ended up working together this summer in New York City. We instantly connected and have many shoots being planned. She helps me with so much and I only see us growing more and more. Diandra is one amazing, kind hearted woman, who always lifts me up and I’m so thankful to be able to work with such a strong woman!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, more of a rocky road. Photography is a very cut-throat business, just as much as modeling or fashion designing. I always say to myself that I am not the best photographer, there are many insanely great photographers out there, but today is all about having the connections. It’s definitely a struggle and some months are slower than others. You just have to have a passion and the patience for it, without the passion, there is no motivation.

I personally think this has become a hard generation with photography… everyone has a camera in the palm of their hands to photograph each other and have apps to edit their photos and put filters on them all, and then they call themselves “Photographers.” I do photography so I can give great, quality headshots for people who are wanting a future to get into modeling. There are days that you’re going to have jobs that you don’t want to do, that’s for sure. I do photography and a gourmet cupcake business! I love doing both, because I’m able to photograph my cupcakes before I deliver or the client picks up their order!

If I’m giving advice to other women, even young women about photography, it’s to simply not give up. Be confident with yourself! Life will knock you down some days, I’ve had my fair share of days where I’ve contemplated photography. I work with women who are wanting to get into modeling, and I’ve had some work sent into City Modeling Agencies in Boston and NY. I received advice a few years back, for modeling agencies to not do crazy editing, keep everything “simple” in portraits because they look at the rawness of the women. Ever since then, I’ve kept my style very simple, timeless and it’s worked just fine for me! PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE! I can’t tell you how many days I go out with girlfriends just to keep my mind flowing with photography!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Angela Russo Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My favorite thing to do is Fashion and Family portraits. I’m slowly easing my way into Wedding photography, but I’ll be doing some classes especially on weddings very soon! I focus more on portraits for women who are in or getting into modeling, as well as portraits I’ve done for young girls and women in Pageants!

Back in high school, I photographed all the sports! My dream was to originally to shoot football for the New England Patriots or New Orleans Saints (my hometowns team.) My mom and dad constantly motivated me to get back into sports, I made many connections where I had the opportunity actually to get into NFL photography and I gave it all up to focus on Fashion and Makeup photography with some fashion designers and professional makeup artists. I basically started at the bottom again because it was a whole new area of photography. I knew that’s what I wanted to do. To travel to many cities back and forth and working with all these women, and now I’m getting into it one day at a time! Every month I’m making a new connection and planning shoots!

I personally don’t think I’m set apart from others. If there is something, then I think it’s just my style. Most people are into Photoshop and create amazing edits, especially for social media. I like to keep mine timeless, never gets old or out of style. Just a simple photograph, showing the natural beauty of someone.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
With social media these days, it’s definitely not hard. You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there and reach out to people. I messaged Diandra and we ended up staying in contact and then working with each other, now we talk on a weekly basis and plan shoots! Some people such as celebrities may be hard to reach, unless you’re already in their group… but start off with local designers, musicians and artists… They’ll mostly love a shoot that’s going to show their creativity as much as yours!

All in all, you need to have a voice and a genuine personality. I’m always myself with my clients or new clients. I like for them to see me as I am, awkward and loving. It shows that they can be comfortable with me and relate to me. We’re all human, no one’s perfect, especially people on social media you’re trying to work with. Never be timid to write to them and contact them.

Pricing:

• $200 for one hour. 10 finished and edited digital copies. No fee for travel.
• $250 for one hour and a half. 15 finished and edited digital copies.
• $300 for one hour and a half. 20 and more finished and edited digital copies.

Contact Info:

• Email: angrusso95@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelarussophotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arussophotos/

Image Credit:
Rachelle Araujo

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