Real life emoji’s – Ashton Worthington
Happy World Emoji Day! I didn’t even know that was a “thing” until this morning. Luckily, we’ve got a relevant reason to celebrate. Photographer Ashton Worthington has been working diligently on a “real-moji” (working title) project. A little old school, a little modern, pretty funny, and as always, beautiful photography. It’s a much bigger project, and is ongoing – but for now, we wanted to give you a little taste of what’s to come. I mean, it IS world emoji day, after all!
Comment if you can guess what he’s trying to say!
Before They Were Rock Stars – Massimo Gammacurta
There is so much good photography out there – so for us to take on a new artist, they need to have a combination of an incredible eye, beautiful work, a fine-art background, technical expertise, and a fun personality. And did I mention they need to be drama-free (hence our motto)? Well, we found the PERFECT combo in our newest photographer – we’re thrilled to introduce MASSIMO GAMMACURTA!
Massimo is an artist at heart. In 2016 alone he had a solo show called “EAT ME” at the Visonairs Gallery in Singapore and was part of a group show “Tempting Art” at the Mudam Museum in Luxembourg (as well as Milan in 2015). You can see more of his accolades here – there are quite a few! His work is conceptual, bold, and wonderfully thought-out. It’s fresh and it’s fun. And a little sexy – check out his “Kamasugar” lollipops, featured on Juxtapoz!
His clients include: Adidas, Alife, Armani, Bloomingdales, Bloomberg, Buscemi, Carol’s Daughter, Cinti, Chanel, Esquire, UK Details Magazine, Flaunt Magazine, Gilt Groupe, Glamour Italy, Google, GQ Italy, Guitar Aficionado, Hennessy, Lancôme, Macys, Nike, Revolver Magazine, Puma, Sotheby’s, Surface Magazine, V Magazine, Vogue Italia Accessory, Vogue Gioiello, WAD Magazine, Wired Magazine USA and so many more.
But enough from me – check out his work on our site and see for yourself just how awesome his work is. And get to know him better by finding out what Massimo was like, you know, BEFORE he was a rock star, by reading below.
How did you become interested in photography? I started really early, around 8 years old. My father is a multimedia artist and loves photography so I was lucky enough to start by playing in his b&w darkroom and with his cameras. My dad is also an art history professor so I was always in his library reading books about art and history. I loved modern art, Pop Art, expressionism, dada, surrealism, Futurism that was my cup of tea as far as what I liked in art.
Also the movies were a big influence in my visual development as a photographer.
Movies like “La dolce vita”, “8/12” and “Uccellacci e uccellini” have been a great influence in my work. These director couldn’t be more different, Pasolini is a true realist like Caravaggio, for him death is just death there’s nothing beyond that, it’s reality without any illusions.
Fellini is surreal, the dream, the excess.
Both influenced me because they are so different but unique but what i learned the most from this great artist to escape from stereotypes and to be myself.
Where are you from originally? I was born in Rome, Italy but I’ve been living in the USA for many years.
Having been raised in Rome, where images and art are all around you, where beauty and messages in visual forms are primary, this experience has informed my deep-seeded desire to be a photographer.
What did you intend to do when you “grew up”? It was either a fine art painter, a soccer player or a photographer but I decided to go for the hardest one to succeed…
What were you like as a teen? Do you see reflections of your teen self in your adult life? Always energetic, I had and still have a vibrant personality, and very demonstrative, it reflects on my work.
I recall one instance in London where i lived for a year at the when i was 19 yrs old.
I was working as a photographer shooting test for model agency and my english was almost non existent to say it nice. I went to a Burger King in Oxford circus at rush hour time and i remember that I order a burger and a large “cock”. I wanted a coke but my pronunciation was bad and this english lady at the cashier (typical english humor) instead of giving me a coke made me repeat the “cock” word few time until i actually gestured the size of the co(c)ke i wanted it.
I remember all the Burger King patrons started to laugh so much and i didn’t know why until an Italian guy in the line screamed at me in Italian ‘bro you just order a large dick”. Most embarrassing day of my life, never step into another Burger King after that.
What was your first job ever? Assistant for a fashion photographer at 15 yrs old.
What was the biggest trouble you got yourself into? You don’t wanna know. I grew up in one of the most dangerous areas of all Italy, I had friends that died and went to jail, I was lucky enough to stay out of trouble.
What was your first job in the photo business? Assistant and also I was a b&w and cibachrome printer at a very early age. My first job as a photographer was an editorial for a german magazine called “Madame”, I was 18 yrs old and this famous editor chose me to shoot the Spoleto festival event. It was an amazing experience and I had access to all the fantastic artists there and I shot for 3 days straight.
What has kept your passion for photography vibrant? To shoot and discover something that I haven’t seen before, to create new idea and to find a way to execute it. My main motivation is wanting to create a basic tension in the viewer while provoking a personal reflection on certain themes.
What is a dream project in this business? I was lucky enough to achieve few already but probably to shoot an ad for Chanel.
If you could anything else, what would it be? That’s easy – a Soccer Player. Ha!
Lou Bopp BTS at the Gaslight
Actor Gregory “Spoonie” Sporleder recently shot a movie at the Gaslight. Lou Bopp had the opportunity to hang with the writer/actor and a bunch of friends while they recorded a song for the soundtrack. Not one to resist an opportunity to photograph musicians in action (or a good beer), Lou got into the action of the day. Check out some of the soulful shots below.
Color and Splashes – Still life photography
Ashton Worthington, often recognized for his dark, sleek and sexy still life, is not afraid of color. Or splashes and liquids. Excited to see more of this type of work over the upcoming months!
It’s National Crayon Day! Farewell, Dandelion…
It’s national crayon day. Did you know that? Neither did I, until about 5 minutes ago…
Just found out Crayola is retiring the color Dandelion. No joke, y’all – that was my favorite color growing up. It actually still is one of my favorite colors to wear. I get it – there isn’t much a kid might color with it, but I’m still a little bummed. As a little girl, I would sketch cars, fashion, draw pictures, and there would always be a tiny bit of dandelion in every masterpiece (haha).
So it’s with a bit of nostalgia, I bid adieu to Dandelion. Enjoy your retirement. You had a good run.
(Photo by Ashton Worthington. So glad he captured my favorite crayon in this!)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
A proper breakfast, lunch and dinner for today. Happy St. Patrick’s Day – may the luck of the Irish (or at least the drink of the Irish) be with you! Photography by Ashton Worthington – a guy who loves to celebrate any and all holidays.
International Women’s Day
To all women – near and far – we salute you. Today and ALWAYS. Photography by one hell of an amazing woman, Paula Parrish
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