Tom Sperduto Photography

Intimate Portraits from the D.C. Shoot Off

Tom Sperduto — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:42:16 +0000

The D.C. Shoot Off held every year in Arlington, VA, has quickly become one of my favorite events of the year and this one was no different. I enjoy the opportunity to mentor the photographers who attend it’s an opportunity for me to see old friends I love dearly. For a few months leading up to the Shoot Off I have felt a photographic funk and its been hard to break out of. Sometimes all it takes is a workshop with like minded passionate individuals to get your wheels turning and heart racing once more in the right direction. I had many light bulb moments at the D.C. Shoot Off listening to my fellow speakers present their work. For me, there is usually one lesson that I sink my teeth into and hold on until I own it. This year, it came from Preston Keres and it’s something I’ve heard several times over the years but this time it really hit home. It’s the hierarchy of successful photos. In a nut shell the hierarchy of photos goes like this:

A beginning: Informational

Getting there: Graphically appealing

REALLY getting there: Emotional

You have arrived: Intimate

I realized during Preston’s presentation that it’s the intimacy in photos that drives me and what I love about portraiture. I realized it’s what I am always seeking but often calling it gesture. It’s nice to connect with a word and move forward with it as a photographer beating in your head and in your heart. Below are some of the portraits I shot in my hotel room in between mentoring our Shoot Off students.

Kareem and Mariah.

JD and Sharon

Drew and Mila

Andrew and Annie

The Bivera's.

Flywheel Photos, Millburn NJ

Tom Sperduto — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:46:07 +0000

Flywheel Staff Portrait, Millburn, NJ

Flywheel Staff, Millburn, NJ

Flywheel Staff Portrait, Millburn, NJ

Happy 100!

Tom Sperduto — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:10:48 +0000

I had the opportunity to photograph Joseph Matey in his home on his 100th birthday. He has been married to his wife Elizabeth, who will turn 97 in March, for 75 years. When asked what advice they would give a newly married couple Elizabeth said, remember the good, forget the bad. Sure, we had our fights but you just remember the good times and forget the rest.”

Portait from a Civil War Reenactment

Tom Sperduto — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:04:24 +0000

Sister Mary Beth Lloyd of the Religious Teachers Filippini.

Tom Sperduto — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:43:23 +0000

Sister Mary Beth Lloyd of the Religious Teachers Filippini in Morristown, NJ. Sister Mary Beth is committed to helping Aids Orphans have a future with dignity.

Sister Mary Beth Lloyd of the Religious Teachers Filippini in Morristown, NJ. Sister Mary Beth is committed to helping Aids Orphans have a future with dignity.

Happy Halloween!

Tom Sperduto — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:26:42 +0000

Bedroom Borders

Tom Sperduto — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:15:12 +0000

From my Bedroom Borders series. Please visit my site to see more.

Blind runner – Suleiman Rifai

Tom Sperduto — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:25:57 +0000

Photo of blind marathon runner Suleiman Rifai and his pacer after completing the NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up .

Remembering 9/11. Images from Ground Zero.

Tom Sperduto — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:01:24 +0000

Remembering 9/11.

Tom Sperduto — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:02:53 +0000

Ground Zero, NYC.