We had the good fortune of connecting with Philip Carnevale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philip, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere Colorado, Buena Vista. Where I grew up you could be one of the cool kids and go to the parties or spend time alone in the mountains exploring. Being a bit of an outcast & chose the latter. I always found myself staring into the rivers and mountains entranced by the beauty all around me. When it came time to go to College I knew I wanted to go into art and photography, but I unfortunately have parents who would not allow such a thing. “No son of mine is going to be an artist!” So I went to college for a different degree and met this amazing woman who is now my wife, she surprised me with my first camera and encouraged me to go out and capture the world. One day we were having a deep philosophical conversation about goals and the future of our careers and I sarcastically said I wanted to work with National Geographic before I was 60 thinking that someone like me would never make it to such a prestigious position. I studied and practiced every technique I could find online, submitted to every contest, social networking photo page, and magazine I could. Eight months later National Geographic called, they wanted me on location in 48 hours. I thought it was a joke I even made them email me while I was still live on the phone with them. It was real! Needless to say my whole world shifted in a moment. Over the years of capturing for many different assignments, companies, magazines, and amazing people I have come to realize that my photography is far more than just a moment captured it in time. It can be inspiration for the future generations, it could be memories, family heirlooms for people lost or taken too soon, and my work in photography can be a window into the previously thought impossible. My photos will outlive me and my children, I think about this every time I pick up my camera.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been a self taught photographer and one thing I have always instilled into my work is an old world practice. In today’s modern digital and mirrorless photography world I still imagine I’m using film. I have to get the shot right in the camera I am not relying on post production, photo manipulation or the computer and processors in my hand. This has saved me more than once. My favorite example was when I was blessed to work with Joan Rivers before she passed away and because of a mishap with my staff I received one of the worst lectures of my life by her and her staff for my lack of “professionalism“ I apologized and had to continue the day of shooting. I will never forget what Joan said just before her set “we will see if your a true professional” she came on stage with a full length silver sequin outfit knowing that my digital camera and all of its modern technology could not process the spotlights reflecting from every little gem. I raise my camera to capture the first photo she gave me a smirk and swirled her cape, camera ERROR! I switched everything over to manual and begin shooting “old school”. Joanne and her staff loved all of my photos and even sent me home with a personal gift that evening.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Phoenix Arizona has a lot of amazing things to do and see! I spend a lot of time in the McDowell Sonoran preserve which is a 40,000+ acre preserve north east of the city wrapping around Scottsdale. From here you can get the best view of the city, wildflowers and animals that call this place home. I love to cook and do a lot of cooking on my own but when I go out my wife and I are huge fans of Federal Pizza, Churn ice cream and all the restaurants from the culinary dropout group!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My amazing wife Natalia! She not only bought me my first camera but has ultimately been the one to help share my work and push me to go farther in my career than I ever thought possible! I shared a photo with her one evening while shooting a multi day assignment for PRCA rodeo. The following day I am in the arena trying not to get crushed by the biggest bulls in the sport when my phone will not stop ringing, I look into the crowd to see my wife jumping up and down waving your arms for me to answer the phone. She had sent the single image out to the internet, and because of that I had multiple magazines and awards waiting for me when I stepped out of the arena that day. She is my rock, my compass, and biggest fan.

Website: www.philipcarnevalephotography.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/philipcarnevalephotography

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