We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Guy D’alema. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Guy below.

Guy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started my career in photography by creating model portfolios and fashion-related editorial work. Working with many Atlanta modeling agencies, I was exposed to a variety of faces and talents to capture their very essence and to help them advance their careers. It was a tremendous learning experience, in that the vast majority of my work was captured on locatons, with some studio-driven sessions.

After several years of fashion work, I no longer found it challenging, in that I controlled every element of the photographic process. For me, the challenge happens when the unexpected happens and the photographer has but one opportunity to get “that image.” It made me want to find a photo environment that would put those challenges in play. I decided the life of a paparazzi /photojournalist would fulfill that desire.

An opportunity to photograph the First Anniversary event for the internationally known Euro-disco nightclub, The Atlanta Limelight, presented itself and I soon found myself in the fast-moving, challenged-driven life of capturing celebrities in public settings.

It was here, that I was able to capture celebrity Anita Bryant dancing in the Limelight on the eve of the annual gay rights march with known gay evangelist Russ McGraw. Little did I know, at the time, that image would go around the world via an Associated Press and United Press International photo release. Over 700 US newspapers and 7 international magazines ran the photo with the caption: “Anita Upset Over Diso Photo.”

While working with the Limelight, the feature film “Slugger’s Wife” filmed for several days and I was on hand to capture images of the film crew and actors for the club. One day, producer Ray Stark’s assistant came to me and said: “Ray thinks you should leave the nightclub industry and consider a career in film and television.” That set the idea to try for a film and television career in motion. Years later, I would publish a coffee-table book on my 4 years of paparazzi work at the club.

After leaving the paparazzi field of photography, I received a call inquiring if I would be interested in being the still photographer for a feature film about to start in Atlanta. I jumped at the opportunity. The film was Love Potion #9, with Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan.

I was soon receiving offers to work on film and television projects that were filmed throughout the Southeast. One such project was for film-maker Menahem Golan. Toward the end of that project, he offered me a new project which was filmed in Moscow, Russia. This was early ’91 during the collapse of the former Soviet Union. I did two films for Menahem on that assignment. Two years later, he invited me back to film a remake of “Crime and Punishment” with an all-star cast that included Vanessa Redgrave, John Hurt, Margot Kidder, Crispin Glover, and others. It was during that project I was asked to accompany Vanessa to capture some photos of her while she met with Mikhail Gorbachev. One of those photos resulted in my second worldwide photo release via the Associated Press.

For the last 30 years, I have been working on film and television sets nationally and internationally. Many of the projects I was assigned featured young talent. I was told by the writer/director Dale Launer on Love Potion #9, that it was my fashion portfolio that convinced him to hire me for his project. He told me one day, “If you can make my cast look like the images in your fashion portfolio, it will help me distribute this film with a young cast”. The photo editor at The WB, who hired me for their show “Dawson’s Creek”, also stated that my fashion style of photography was what convinced her to have me work on that series.

I truly believe that my years of location fashion work, and my years as a paparazzi photographer gave me the skills that resulted in 30-plus years of capturing images for feature films and television projects.

For me, every experience is a learning experience that can be used to elevate your level of expertise and open the doors for a possible new direction in your creative journey.

For me, it was from fashion to paparazzi to film and television.

Guy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Since childhood, I have always been interested in photography. I had a friend who was a photographer and he volunteered to be like a mentor to me. The one thing he kept telling me was to just get your camera and shoot, shoot, shoot. Take notes of what you are trying and document the results. Focus on those images where you are weak.
After college ( my degree is in accounting – my dad encouraged me to learn a profession that you can always fall back on – the world will always need bean counters. And to remember the saying: “Starving artists are starving for a reason”.)

My first attempt at photography as a career was my fashion work. That was redirected to my paparazzi/photojournalism work. And, finally, I settled in on unit photography work for film and television work.

My two world-wide photo releases are perhaps the proudest moments in my photography journey. One was from my paparazzi years and the second was from my film and television years.

On reflection, the only real downside for me was all the traveling. While traveling to some great locations can be seen as a perk of the job, the time lost with family and friends are the costs paid.

I established with my clients that I would approach each project with total interest, an open mind, and wonder regarding the countless photo opportunities that would be presented. I also take my role as being the “eyes” of those who could not be there, to share, my visual vision with. I approach each project with an open mind and no preconceived visions that could hamper the spontaneous interpretation of what is unfolding with the performances before me. I view everything with a child-like interest.

My task is to capture images that will draw the viewer into the world of the project. To say in one image, what the film crew has multiple angles to say with multiple cameras. It is necessary to get the essence of the scene in one shot.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

A dedication to approach each project with fresh thinking and interest in what challenges I might face, and how to accomplish the goal set before me.Its about pushing my limits and creative insights and vision.

I’m often asked by those interested in a career like mine, doing film and television, what they should do. My response is one that often results in a pause and a bit of soul-searching on their part. I ask them: “Are you willing to do what I did to do what I do?” With that question, they realize there are many sacrifices that would have to be made to have such a career. Some say they aren’t quite ready to make those life concessions.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal and driving force that has always been at the root of my photo journey is this:

I have been given a gift of creativity from my Creator. I believe that artists are given a particular gift to create – music, paintings, stories, photos, etc. and must create. Artists dance to a different drummer, as the expression goes.

My journey is to share visual images of the things I am shown, what I experience, and, maybe a unique interpretation of the sights before me. To share with others what has been shared with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://photosbyguy.com
• Instagram: @guydalema
• Facebook: Guy DAlema