Today we’d like to introduce you to Vail Fucci.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am a professional photographer with a Ph.D. in bioethics and worked in scientific and regulatory affairs in Washington, D.C. Since I was a little girl I loved photography, but never thought I could make a career of it. Over the years, my love of photography was becoming much stronger than my love for policy work. I fantasized about becoming a professional photographer. After attending many a wedding and hearing from my friends and family that the shots I took were better than those of the hired pros, my husband surprised me with the most incredible Christmas present. I opened up a black leather folio that said Fucci’s Photos on the front. I said, “Oh, fun, a nice way to keep my photographs organized”. He said, “Not quite, open it up.” I was slightly perplexed at all the tax documents inside. He said, “It’s your dream. Your very own photography business. I know you can do it! I believe in you!” And that’s how my photography business came to be.
I started out literally photographing weddings in people’s basements. Every cent I made went to buying more equipment. Eventually I was doing well enough to quit my full time job and concentrate entirely on the business.
I also teach private photography lessons. Enabling people to be able to make photos, instead of just take them, and create their own art is a privilege.
Please tell us about your art.
While I love taking photos of just about everything, photographing people is my true passion. Showing a person just how beautiful they really are is one of the greatest gifts imaginable. Being able to provide this to my clients gives me such joy. Also I love being able to record for them the little wonderful fleeting moments–be it a loving glance at their wedding, the first cuddles with their newborn, or all the other in between moments that make up our day to day life. Knowing that these are images that they will cherish forever makes me so very happy.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
The cost of studio space in commercial buildings is incredibly high. I think in the near future there will be more space sharing available through apps like PeerSpace. Hopefully this will help artists to be able to be able to find lower priced studio space and it will mean that buildings are put to greater use.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find my work on my clients’ walls, both of their home and Facebook kind, as well as on my blog. I have pinned many of my images along with tips for weddings and photoshoots on Pinterest.
I also volunteer my photography services to a wonderful organization called Project Place that is based in the South End of Boston that works on breaking our city’s cycle of homelessness through job training and housing. I have done a series of portraits of their clients to bring greater attention to their organization and their mission. I hope to exhibit them in the city at a gallery someday. In the meantime many of the photos are used by Project Place on their website and publications. Any support for Project Place, regardless of how big or small, can make a huge difference in the life of one of their clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.FuccisPhotos.com
- Phone: 617-939-4848
- Email: vail@fuccisphotos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vailfucci/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuccisPhotosOfBoston/
- Other: http://www.getoffgreenauto.com/
Image Credit:
The image of myself was taken by Whitney Bailer during a shoot I did for project place.
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