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

Philomena , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

In a world where ” the bottom line” dictates how much love and effort goes into the art of photography I choose to never put business before the art.

Many times I see photographers choosing to not take specific photos or not spend an extra hour on their edits because “The client didn’t pay for it”. Yes I need to earn an income and I do everything I can to deserve every penny of it but at the end of the day your memories are more important to me than my business plan. It’s a gamble but I do believe this will make me more successful long term.

My approach to wedding photography differs from the norm. Rather than focusing solely on taking pictures, I aim to capture the essence of your wedding day. I prioritize authentic moments over staged ones, documenting the truth of each instant. From people to details, big events to small gestures, my goal is to preserve genuine memories. I believe weddings are more than formal events; they are emotional narratives of your family to be remembered.

As a documentary photographer, I am dedicated to visual storytelling, capturing each unfolding scene authentically, and crafting the perf .additude and personality to pull this off. Embracing imperfections adds depth to the narrative, revealing the true essence of the day. Life’s spontaneity and unplanned moments often hold the most precious memories. While I enjoy experimenting with various artistic techniques such as film and flash and vintage lens filters, my primary focus is on truthfully capturing your day. My aim is not to create something new, but to preserve the genuine essence of your wedding day for you to revisit and cherish.

Booking a session with me guarantees that your images are crafted with years of expertise, tailored to reflect what matters most to you. My fees encompass not only my experience but also the upkeep of my top-tier cameras, consultations, the preservation of your images—potentially for a lifetime thanks to online storage options—my unique editing style, the vision I have developed, and most importantly, my commitment to becoming a part of your family through my art.

All editing is conducted in-house by me personally, ensuring a consistent and high-quality result. I do not outsource. I collaborate with videographers and second photographers who share my passion for their craft and are committed to producing exceptional work. I believe that family photography and videography are profoundly personal investments in your history that deserve careful attention, rather than being hastily processed for profit.

By choosing to book with me, you’re not just securing a service; you’re investing in a tailored experience where your unique story is captured with the care it deserves. In my opinion less is always more.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

MY STORY

My passion for photography ignited when my father passed down his Canon EOS 3 Film camera to me at the age of 10. It became a captivating way for me to engage with my surroundings. in all honesty I had severe ADHD and it was the only way my parents could get me to stop and think about anything.
In fourth grade, armed with a camcorder, I spent four years capturing every moment of my classmates’ adventures, culminating in a touching end-of-year video and photo presentation for our graduating class.
Transitioning to high school, I was admitted to Dreyfoos School of the Arts for the Digital Media program. Which was a blessing since financially my parents were battling stage 4 cancers and could not afford schools that catered to my specific gifts. Over the next four years, I delved into courses like AP Photography, Graphic Design, Figure Drawing, Print Making, and Dark Room Photography. My afternoons were dedicated to experimenting and creating in the dark room.
Dreyfoos School nurtured its students so well that I earned a scholarship to study color theory and color film development at California School of the Arts. Subsequently, I pursued my passion at Daytona State College, immersing myself in photography and gaining experience by working with various photographers to refine my craft.

At a certain juncture amid school, internships, and the pursuit of success, I faced significant challenges: a friend of mine broke my camera without replacing it, my father passed away, my mother lost her way, and I discovered that I was adopted. As Jane Austen aptly put it, I was “penniless,” lacking support, while my mother was absent and in need of love and care that I was unable to provide at that stage in my life. I relocated to New Smyrna Beach, which was quite affordable at the time, with the assistance of several friends. Gradually, I concentrated on honing my craft while working as a waitress and saving up to launch my business.

After years of dedication, I discovered my affection for capturing moments of people and families. Reflecting on my past, I realized that I had been documenting my life through beautiful photos, like a wordless journal conveying emotions through my lens. Witnessing the impact of my photographs on my loved ones, I resolved to create heartfelt stories for others – not just random images, but tales of love, loss, and genuine connections with the world around me.

This realization spurred me to embark on a journey to become a professional photographer, crafting visual love stories for people to cherish. These images serve as reminders of life’s beauty and unpredictability, inspiring us to appreciate the small gestures of love that often go unnoticed. It is my life purpose to create art for your walls that inspire us to look for the little acts of love all around us and will also inspire future generations to create the same kind of love for themselves. Just as I was getting off the ground in school and life My father died.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Waitressing and bartending while juggling low paying photography jobs until I knew exactly what kind of photography product I wanted to produce.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Talent, consistency and small acts of kindness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thickerthanwaterpotography.com
• Instagram: @thickerthanwaterphotography

Image Credits

ALL ME