Alright – so today we have the honor of introducing you to Michelle Tricca. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Aside from being the official documentarian of my twin niece and nephew, the 2 projects I’m currently working on are quite meaningful.
At the core of both projects is sentiment and art. Both aim to champion marginalized communities. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, both make an impact in people’s lives. These attributes make them very rewarding.
I’m creating a humanitarian public art mural called The Face Of Immokalee, a portrait installation celebrating the soul of Immokalee. Holding global significance, this local project is an effort to honor, humanize and put a face to the people of this humble, hard working agricultural community with abundant personality, story and soul. Public art murals not only help support community and celebrate humanity, they also infuse art into unsuspecting places. The aspect of form + function is soulful to me.
As one of the biggest migrant farmworker communities in the U.S., the underserved and under recognized town of Immokalee is located in the same county as one of America’s wealthiest zip codes, Naples. Exhibiting the portraits on Semi Trucks and building walls is my way of bridging the disparity between these vastly juxtaposed regions, thru art.
More info: https://www.michelletricca.
The Bayshore Independent – visual musings showcasing the vibe of the Bayshore Arts District. I’m creating an Independent print publication intended to extol the virtues of small business, entrepreneurs & artists thru visual storytelling and the power of print. It will be photography-based and void of any corporate oversight or boring, irrelevant ads. Visual engagement and high quality printing is a priority. I’m facilitating collaborations in order to promote and champion as many independent businesses as possible. The Bayshore Independent intends to inspire people to learn about and be motivated to patronize these entities they may not otherwise know about. In our consumeristic society with so much access to mass produced ephemeral product and exposure to digital clutter, it’ll be one to don upon the coffee table.
As an artist and 2nd generation Italian-American who grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, I value supporting local, independent, non-mainstream and off-the-grid. My great grandfather sold California grapes on the streets of Boston so other Italians could make their own wine. That eventually led to the family opening Tricca’s Italian Restaurant. I didn’t inherit the cooking gene, but I’m grateful to tell stories in photographs. More info: https://www.michelletricca.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we have a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am an artist and entrepreneur. I’m in the business of elevating the family portrait. I provide a customized portrait photography experience for my clients, ultimately turning their portraits into prints to infuse their home with love-based art. With a mix of sentiment, aesthetics and design, I create Wall Art Galleries, 40×60 statement pieces for their entryway and bespoke Art Photo Books to level up their coffee tables.
Making photographs you can feel – physically and metaphorically. Form, function and soulful engagement – is the ethos of my work.
There are projects that will behoove your bank account or portfolio and there are projects that fulfill your soul. Being a portrait photographer is a big responsibility and I take that job seriously. I work equally hard at making a living as I do giving back to community. I use my art as activism and see being a photographer as more than making pictures. It is a conduit to helping people.
With a humanistic sensibility, I invest my time and aesthetic language into personal projects that are rooted in ethical and sentimental values. Part of the allure of photography is seeing parts of life + the world you’re not normally exposed to. My personal work is motivated by the human condition and I believe in visual storytelling’s power to connect, provoke thought, elicit joy and promote social change. This work is extremely fulfilling for me.
In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Now more than ever, there are a plethora of artists and creatives running their own business. Being proactive in supporting them is rewarding. Makers usually have a specialty and pair their heart & soul with their talents to provide innovative products, quality experiences, personalized service and attention to detail. Customer service is a priority for creatives in small business. Attend independent shows & exhibitions, off the grid or non main-stream events, shop local markets, eat at that chef’s new pop-up restaurant, load that website of the new thing you discovered, place an order, collaborate. Hidden gems abound!
Buy from independent business over mass produced & corporate when given the chance. If you’re a fan of their work, let them know and encourage them. Spread the news! Word of mouth has power. Respect their rates, don’t nickel and dime.
Websites like Etsy and independent publications feature a wide range of creative talent.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
To continue developing projects I’m passionate about. Creating work that adds value to the lives of my clients and the communities I serve. Lift communities thru art, thru photographs. Positively effect the way people are seen, see themselves and see others. Portraits influence how people are perceived, remembered and reminisce ab their loved ones. Leaving a legacy for the people I photograph.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michelletricca.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mo_tric
- Other: https://www.michelletriccaprintshop.com
Image Credits
1 ©Michelle Tricca 2021 2 ©Michelle Tricca 2022 3 ©Michelle Tricca 2022 4 ©Michelle Tricca 2022 5 ©Michelle Tricca 2022