Today we’d like to introduce you to A.J. Pacella.
Hi A.J., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m A.J., a photographer from a small coastal town called Scituate, MA. At home I often work with local artists and events, but on the road, I find myself in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
I started my photography journey back in High School. My friends and I used to wake up really early and go skimboarding at the beach before school, where we’d catch the sunrise and make endless memories. I still have a photo from one of these days hanging in my bathroom at home.
My artistic abilities don’t begin with photography. I spent many years in music production and performance as a guitar player, drummer, and piano player. I grew up performing and covering music by bands like Relient K, Killswitch Engage, Coldplay, and more. Sadly, after I lost my mom, the grind became overbearing. I was overanalyzing everything I heard, and lost the magic that music once made me feel. Eventually I burned out.
My mom was an artist. A painter, and she was incredibly talented. She passed away in 2015, and I’ve had a hard time without her. In 2022, I gave up alcohol. I needed something new, and that’s where photography came back into my life. I started therapy, exercising, and bought a new camera.
Next thing I knew, it was all I cared about. My photography business has since blown up, and I’ve sold over $10k in prints in 3 years. I like to think Mom would be proud.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a wonderful ride over the last four years. We’ve visited many new places and met so many awesome people. I’m so happy with everything photography has brought into my life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Landscape Photographer that specializes in large scale prints, and colorful images from all over the world.
I’m most proud of my work from various National Parks around the U.S., including Yosemite and Zion.
Most people know me for my landscapes, but I’ve developed a strong reputation as an artist/concert photographer as well.
What sets me apart is my strong ability to create worlds within a frame. I scrub every photo until it’s perfect and spend a lot of time finding the right angles and compositions. My photos often result in very colorful, dramatic final products that create a deep sense of serenity and connection to the subject.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My mentor, Sean Goss, has become an invaluable resource and friend. He does all my printing, has helped me with editing techniques, and has even lent me cameras to experiment with. I have grown a lot faster than I believe I would have without his help.
Networking is a vital piece of the puzzle, however I do find that most of my sales come from posting on relevant Facebook pages and marketing on my stories. Having a strong support network has also been key to help solidify my online presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ajpacellaphotography.pixieset.com
- Instagram: @ajpacellaphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajpacella2
