Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Mongiello.
Hi Anthony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a little anti-prodigy photographer. The worst natural talent imaginable. My parents use to tell people who gave me a camera to take their photos that had a knack for screwing it up and they would be wise to have someone else work the camera.
I always loved taking photos and had a strong gravitation toward the art.
As I got into my late teens, I learned how to work a camera and then when I dated an actress who needed headshots, she demanded I do it. She had to demand it because I didn’t like taking photos of people. After eventual success with her photos, I went on to take my sister’s headshots then her friend’s headshots then I put up a website and the rest is history.
That was 20 years ago. I still love taking photos as much as did then. I also like people so taking photos of people is a perfect match for my skills.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My greatest struggles were largely from within. I grew up in a very poor family. The idea of doing something fun and creative and making money at it was beyond my reality. Often I felt when photoshoots didn’t turn out as planned that meant I didn’t have the talent to keep going and that I’d never be able to do the type of work that moves me emotionally or has the intended impact on its audiences.
But most obstacles, lack of equipment, lack of space, lack of quality subjects, in hindsight were almost entirely those of not enough faith and tenacity in myself and the understanding of the gifts and rewards that come through perseverance in the face of failure.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Anthony Mongiello Photography?
People are what I’m good at. Particularly posed people photography. I shoot hundreds of actors and professionals a year. I also love creative types such as other photographers, musicians, authors, CEOs, fashion designers, models, TV personalities and influencers. My method is to know the person and their audience and craft a portrait based on those particular needs. I understand how to visually communicate through colors, clothing, backgrounds, expressions and lighting in order to bring about feelings and emotional responses in the audiences of the people viewing the photos.
My favorite thing is to truly understand facets of the individuals I photograph and be able to amplify those qualities in their images.
How do you define success?
Success is simply achieving the desired outcome. True success is to tap into what makes you the most happy and to create that in the world around you. That is true happiness and it is true success, they go hand in hand. The only difference is happiness is experienced on the path of achieving a goal. Success characterizes the final achievement. A successful life is full of goals you can’t instantly achieve, creating temporary failures and various advancements (which causes the experience of happiness), then final achievement, which then causes a creation of new goals and a repeat of the process.
For me, I would feel completely successful if I could share the greatest feelings of love and joy in my life and bring that into being for others in a tangible way.
Pricing:
- $250 for basic session.
- $400 for session with hair and makeup.
- $450 for 3 outfits.
- $650 For 3 outfits with hair and makeup.
Contact Info:
- Website: anthonymongiello.com
- Instagram: @anthonymongiello
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthonyheadshotslosangeles/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/anthony-mongiello-photography-los-angeles
