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Photographer, gardener  and decorator, Vivian Lanzarone has integrated everything she loves into one very successful, visual business – a business that thrives on her love of people, her passion for presentation and her ability to see and create real beauty. For example, her studio, “Space” is really a non-studio. Instead of an empty room filled with seamless and phony backdrops, Vivian has created a warm and inviting, beautifully lit l room filled with sofas, silk throws and velvet pillows. Surrounded by gardens and with a mountain in the background, Space offers her the kind of intimate settings she needs to set herself and her work apart. Want to find out more? Read on.
How did you get started in photography? Did you shoot as a child? When did you know you wanted to be a professional photographer?
I started right out of high school for a company called Arax. Officially, I was the photographer’s assistant, But really, I was the person who handed out the combs for the school pictures. The job was okay, but what I loved was working with the people.
My sister was the reason I became a photographer. At age 15 she was killed in a car accident. We didn’t have many photos of her; I remember scrambling to find a shot of her to put out by the casket. That’s when I knew what I wanted to do. People need to take more pictures in life -- they’re important. When someone dies, gone is gone. Photos create a special kind of remembering that is irreplaceable.
Anyway, after that I got serious. I graduated from a local college here and started taking workshops. I did workshops with some of the best: Bambi Cantrell, Joe Bussink, Yearvant, and Doug Gordon, to name just a few. I still do workshops – I just did one with Curt Littlecott. Not only do they help shape my work, they give me a personal lift. I think you can never learn too much. Besides, I love seeing other people’s photos!
When did you establish Vivian Photography? Has your vision for it changed over time?
I started shooting weddings in 1990. I worked out of my house in order to build the business. At first I cleaned houses and took photos on the side; as business grew I was able to ditch the dusting. Three years ago I moved out of my house and founded Vivian Photography. Today I shoot about 35 weddings and do 150 portraits a year.
When did you build Space? Why did you create it? What does it allow you to do artistically that shooting on-location doesn’t?
About a year ago I decided I needed something different from a standard studio, so I built Space. I have a big Christmas clientele and the weather in New York can really get in the way. It can be cold in the winter and hot and humid in the summer – who wants to get their picture taken in that? I wanted a climate-controlled environment so I could shoot whenever. I also didn’t want it to look like a studio, so I designed a beautiful room surrounded by gorgeous gardens.
Having Space has really broadened my business. I now have a place for pregnancy and boudoir shots that is intimate and private. I can fill my room with fur rugs, velvet pillows and silk throws for the perfect presentation. Presentation is everything for me. For my clients, it’s not getting their photograph taken that matters, it’s where they’re being photographed.
Another great thing about Space? I rent it out. Last week there was a baby shower there. And people don’t have to use me to use the space. Last year I had 15 girls get ready for their weddings here, and only some of them were my clients. Really, it works out great. I can be off shooting a wedding and my studio can be rented out and making money for me at the same time.
Go to page 9 to learn more about Vivian Lanzarone....
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