David Calicchio
About
David Calicchio (david-calicchio.squarespace.com) is a photographer living and working in Southern California specializing in fashion. A graduate of Otis College of Art and Design, his work has been published nationally and internationally. David was the lead photographer for BCBG Max Azria Group and then at bebe Stores Inc. He is currently Photo Studio Manager at Hot Topic Inc. He oversees the photography for Hot Topic, Torrid, and Black Heart Lingerie. In addition to his commercial work, David enjoys giving back what he has learned by teaching lighting and digital photography classes at his Alma Mater.
Gallery
LACP Interviews David Calicchio
LACP asks David Calicchio ten questions about his background, career in and beliefs about photography.
LACP: What kind of photographer are you?
David Calicchio: Fashion Photographer.
LACP: How long have you been shooting?
DC: Fifteen Years.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
DC: I studied Fine Art photography at Otis College of Art and Design and then learned on set by shooting product photography that lead to fashion photography.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
DC: I might have been 19 when I took my first photo class. I knew then I had to put down my brush and pick up a camera.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
DC: Of course. Everytime the economy burst, 2001, 2006 I thought about changing my direction. I came close to becoming an Mac IT guy and a retoucher, but my network came through each time and helped me weather the storms.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
DC: Besides financial security?
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
DC: Too much to list here, but in the simplest terms I learned to problem solve my way out of almost any situation.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
DC: Fashion photography.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
DC: I learn just as much as my students do and it helps me see the world in new ways with every class. It pushes me to stay on top of the changing world of image-making and at the same time helps me grow interpersonally.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
DC: Build your network. Don’t be discouraged that your career is taking a while to build. A solid foundation of working well with others weathers all kinds of financial storms, while gaining success too fast can be self destructive.