Check Out Al Spina’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Al Spina.

Hi Al, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
My passion for photography developed as a child when my mom, a former model, would let me use her camera, which nobody was allowed to use. She taught me some basics of framing and composition along the way while fostering a love for learning the art. YouTube has also been a source of expanding my photography knowledge and skill exponentially in a short amount of time, purposefully watching a couple of new videos every day before practicing what I’ve learned. I have progressed a great deal since then and am excited to continue my pursuit of photography while sticking with my education and experiential learning. 

During grad school, I participated in a photography workshop with Martin Depict. Over the course of three weeks, I was one of five out of more than thirty professional photographers participating in a series of workshops whose photos were reposted by Martin, showing off our work. My photographs were the only photos the models reposted and subsequently used as their professional profile photos. 

The promotional value gained from Martin and the models’ use of my photos lead to a phenomenal amount of word-of-mouth interest and networking for future project collaborations. This further confirmed I was on the right path with my passion as a photographer. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Can anyone claim a smooth journey to success? Life has its way of throwing various obstacles into our path, but passion, resilience, and a can-do attitude helped me survive what started as an exciting expedition despite becoming a caretaker, dealing with issues concerning my own health, and having to complete my master’s degree during this period. 

Actively working toward cultivating a positive environment and mindset, practicing gratitude, and reminding myself life is all about perspective have helped to keep me on track and pursuing my passion. Additionally, utilizing mindfulness and meditation every day through various activities, such as going on walks and exercising creativity in other avenues, from cooking to pursuing a wine-making venture, has helped to keep my life balanced and mindset-focused. I know that life will always have its highs and lows, but my desire to continue pursuing my dream of photography will never be deterred. 

Only a few months after the success of the workshop, I suffered a partially collapsed lung caused by sharp drops in altitude during a flight. A year later, I experienced two massive heart attack episodes, which took time to recover from, all while continuing to be a caretaker for my dad. Luckily, I have no residual damage from these events. However, the recovery time slowed the momentum I had worked so hard to build and took determination and time to regain. 

I was a caretaker for my dad alongside my mom and brother for three years as he recovered from an accident and subsequent complications. Although I was still pursuing photography during this period, most of my time and energy was spent helping to make sure he was comfortable and taken care of. Once he regained his strength, I decided to move to San Diego and then Los Angeles to pursue photography full-time. I would return to be his caretaker two years later, once again taking a hiatus from all work for his end-of-life care for three months after a terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As difficult as those three months were, I’m deeply thankful and filled with gratitude for being able to spend that time with my dad in his final days. 

During this period, I continued helping run our family’s walnut ranching operation through coordinating all cultural practices alongside my mom and brother. Being involved with this operation helps to remind me of the differing pace of life between Los Angeles and the Central Valley, bringing back the peace and calm of country living. 

Graduate school provided an important perspective often overlooked within the photography world. The subject of my master’s degree was communication studies with a focus in advocacy and public relations. Reinforcing the importance of diversity in photography, a world traditionally dominated by similar looks, styles, and stories, successfully breaking the mold. 

I have such gratitude for my clients, who were incredibly empathetic while I faced these life obstacles. Not only did they show patience, but exuded kindness, compassion, and friendship. I’m thankful for every one of them and have made lifelong friends in the process. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in portrait photography focused on fashion, musicians and fitness. I’m known for capturing candid photos by making clients feel comfortable, facilitating an environment of safety, positivity, and creativity. It’s through this environment that I’m able to capture a client’s authentic self, allowing them to shine on their own. I pride myself on the fact that I do not ever digitally manipulate bodies. 

I have traditionally shot with my trusty Canon 5D Mkiii but have recently upgraded to Hasselblad. I’m known for bright and colorful backdrops and scouting of unique outdoor settings. I believe that the research and application I provide for each client’s specific needs sets my work apart from others. 

A fun fact I’m proud of is that every single client I’ve ever shot besides one has made their profile picture a photo I’ve taken of them. It gives me pride knowing my clients love my work and are proud to show it off. 

The marketing of my work in the form of high-quality giclee prints and merchandise is another proud piece of my craft. 

Giclee prints are 8” x 10” on Epson Cold Press 100% cotton textured watercolor paper. Limited series with only 150 of each print to be produced. 

Each print is created with an Epson P9000 fine art printer with Epson PrecisionCore TFP print head, along with Epson UltraChrome HDX ten-color pigmented ink set to produce 1200 ppl output with smooth gradations. Archivally rated by Wilhelm Research to last 60 to over 100 years before fading. Cold Press rag mold made moderately textured paper. Milled in Italy with a weight of 305 gsm a caliper of 22 mils, and an ISO whiteness factor of 96.5. Classic watercolor paper is acid and Lignen-free. Individually packaged with an acid-neutral, stay flat. 

My hoodies are embroidered, made with premium heavyweight 13.5oz/450gm fleece and 520gm 100% ring-spun cotton 1×1 ribbing at the cuff and waistband with a double fleece lined hood with reverse cover stitch sewing on all seams for durability and a premium finish. 

Quality over quantity is the goal with everything I do. 

How do you think about luck?
We can call it luck, but I do believe that our vision, hard work, and stick-to-it attitude create situations that bring incredible opportunities to us. They don’t just happen—we set ourselves up to be open and ready for these sometimes-inexplicable situations, which may feel like we were simply in the right place at the right time. 

Contact Info:

• Website: pointclickpost.com
• Instagram: @point.click.post

Image Credits
Lidia Rivera
Jo Gomez
Bianca Vierra
Shauna Sexton
Stan Taylor