Where to Shoot? Interview with Rocco Basile, Professional Photographer

"text-align: center;">Where to Shoot? Interview with Rocco Basile Professional Photographer

Rocco Basile is a professional photographer who works full time at his own business. He was kind enough to answer some of our questions and give advice to any amateur photographers.

1. Do you prefer shooting indoor or outdoor?

I like to shoot indoors because you can control the lighting. Outside it can be difficult to keep the lighting the same.

2. What is your favorite piece of equipment (that you own)?

I love my high powered 650-1300 MM lens. It is amazing. Definitely one of my all time favorite camera attachments. The photos it takes are amazing.

3. What piece of equipment do you pine for?

I definitely want a new tripod or handheld rig for my camera. It would also be great to have an underwater rig so I could take pictures underneath the water.

4. Who was your biggest photography inspiration?

My mother. She was a painter and one of the biggest influences on my life and on my career. When I was a child I would watch her paint. She painted all kinds of things, people, animals, landscapes, even me.

5. When did you realize you wanted to pursue this career path?

I knew very early on that I wanted to become a photographer. When I was around, seven or eight years old my dad brought home a brand new camera for our family vacations. I was elated. It was the most magical thing I had ever seen… Then my dad taught me all about photography. We even made our own cameras out of cardboard so I could learn how the camera works. It changed my life the day he brought that camera home.

6. What three places are on your bucket list to visit and shoot?

Definitely Paris. It is such a romantic city and I would love to take photographs there. Also I would like to go to China and capture what life is like there. I want to show both the differences and the similarities in our cultures with my pictures. For the third place, I would probably choose someplace green like New Zealand. Just relaxing beauty and rolling hills for miles.

7. Have you ever used a cell phone to take pictures? Is there a make/model you recommend?

I actually use my phone all the time, mostly because it is convenient. I was pleasantly surprised with my phone’s camera. I have the Galaxy S8 and the picture quality is the best yet. It might put me out of business someday, but a good photo is a good photo, whether you take it with a phone or with a standard camera.

8. Do you have any advice for amateur photographers?

My first piece of advice would be to get tough. There will be a lot of disappointment, especially in an artistic career field. I have seen my fair share of negativity and judgment, and while it can be hard to take, it can only help you grow into an even better photographer.

Thank you so much, Rocco!