Michelle Tricca: A Photographer's Journey

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Written by Stacey R. Louiso  | Thursday, 29 July 2010 - 18:58:39

If ever a personal story were inspiring, it would be that of Michelle Tricca. This self-proclaimed “free-spirit” embodies a creative and persistent being that is awe-inspiring. Her history and her drive, she says, are what keep her going, that and a deep-rooted passion for what she does. Tricca, affectionately known as Mo-T by her closest friends, is many things: an artist—her medium being photography, an entrepreneur—she created and ran a “photographic tee” line ingeniously featuring her own work, and an avid traveler—she has been to some incredible places.  I spoke with Ms. Tricca to inquire how her life experience,surroundings and her passion has impacted her career as a photographerand life goals. SL: Firstly, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule in order to share your story. Mo-T: No, thank you. This is an awesome opportunity for me. SL: What has been the most influential occurrence in your life and why? Mo-T: It was a process. When I graduated college I moved out tosouthern California. One evening while out, in 1993, I was thedesignated driver. The passenger grabbed the wheel from me and wecrashed into a telephone pole. I regained consciousness the followingday on life support in cardiac intensive care as my lung was beingre-inflated. That was the first day in a line of 6 long months,recovering from partial paralyses from many shattered and reconstructedbones and nerves. Dependent on a wheelchair for 6 months, I went thru 5months of intensive physical therapy to regain use of my right arm andleg. This was my spiritual awakening. During my darkest hours beingalone and in excruciating physical pain and emotional anguish, Ithought 'there is no way this is it. If I have to it add all up withthis first year out of college being my last, will I be satisfied?'There is way too much I’ve wanted to do for this to be it and me tolose my ability to walk. My life could have ended in the blink of aneye that night. I made a vow to my soul that when I learned to walkagain, excuses and phrases such as 'what if' and 'maybe someday' wouldbe banned from my vocabulary. SL: How did all of this change your outlook on life? Mo-T: There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a photographer.There was nothing else I’ve ever wanted to do; it's my #1 passion!Almost immediately after my recovery, I went on the African safari I’dalways dreamed of, moved out to Hawaii to experience and live the surfculture & started shooting for the magazines that were my initialinspiration. I went to Italy to find my ancestors, hiked down a Swissalp, snuggled a koala bear in Australia (a dream since I was little),swam in the clearest water known to mankind in the Greek isles. Idocumented every step of the way. I am grateful for that dark time inmy life, as it's made me who I am today. I often wonder if the accidentnever happened, if I’d still be saying 'maybe some day I’ll do this’. SL: What drives you artistically? Mo-T: Energy, emotion, travels, immersing myself in cultures socompletely opposite from anything I’ve ever known. The ocean. I’velived by the ocean my whole life; it's a part of my soul. There's aninnate inspiration that comes to me just from being by the sea; noteveryone gets to experience these things but my desire is to bringpeople there through photography. SL: How has living in Naples, FL influenced your career? Mo-T: Living here has been good because its made me think outside thebox with regards to shooting personal work. I’ve taken on shooting old,Italian men playing bocce ball and funky old signs from mobile homeparks. A studio/warehouse is way more affordable (here) than San Diegoor Honolulu. Negative because California & Cape Cod have a lot ofthe more rustic places & I thrive on their independent boutiquetype businesses. Naples has too much same-ness. SL:  What is the most positive aspect of residing here for you?  Mo-T: I haven't lived near my folks for 13 years. It's awesome to livejust miles away from them now. They've been very supportive and I lovethem dearly. SL: What is the one thing you would like to see happen in Naples, FL in regards to the arts? Mo-T: I believe, more so than the 'arts' I would say more appreciationfor the indie arts scene, more crafters, independent designers. Naplesis very conducive to big box store chains and franchises; it can bedetrimental to the young indie creative business soul.  I have beenworking in Sarasota and they have a thriving arts scene and manyIndies. SL: Last year you traveled to Vietnam. Was there anything while there you found particularly inspiring?  Mo-T: There were no franchises or big box stores. It was all mom &pop stores, noodle stands, and tailors...you'd walk into a clothingdesigner's small 200 sq ft space filled with racks of gorgeouscreations. You'd pick from 200 types of material and they custom tailoran item to your body. It was awesome. I think Asians are beautifulpeople both soulfully and physically; their body and facial featuresinspired me to keep shooting. SL: How do you challenge yourself artistically? Individually? Mo-T: Artistically, I’ll take on a subject I don't normally shoot.Individually, I attempt something I’ve never tried or that someone elsetells me I cannot do: Kind of one in the same. SL: Do you ever feel like throwing in the towel and taking a 9-5 and living an average life?                Mo-T: No. I've definitely struggled and paid my dues. This lifestylehas brought its share of adversity. There were times right aftercollege that ramen got me thru the weeks—but I never wanted to doanything else. I took temporary side jobs to pay bills while I wasbuilding my portfolio and investing in more equipment, but never oncedid I consider hanging up my camera. There has never been a day that Ihave regretted being a photographer: Whether I’m shooting for myself orgetting feedback from a client expressing they love or are touched bymy images.  At the end of the day, this is what I love. SL: What is your approach to wedding photography? What do you do differently with a couple that keeps your photos unique? Mo-T: I approach a wedding as a documentary, with no expectations. Ishow up at the event (usually as bridesmaid prepare) with a clear mindand literally photograph what is unfolding, naturally, documentary,candid style. Nothing is manipulated or influenced by my presence. Ihave had brides tell me they didn’t even realize I was there.  The onlytime I am obvious is during the 5 minutes after the ceremony, shootingall the important people during the more formal shots; then the weddingparty gets back to the celebration. The grooms seem particularly happywith the speed of the formals. I think they dread the formality and theposing and arranging but before they know it, I’ve blown off a fewshots and send them on their way. They say things like ‘Wow, that wasfast! Done already?’ this is when I know I’m doing my job. SL: What are your current/long term goals for your photography? Mo-T: I intend to keep traveling, discovering new places and makingimages. My long-term goals are to make photo books, sell my largeformat images as fine art  (for residential and commercial) and to showmy work in galleries. There is always something to learn withphotography. I am always inspired by other photographers, artists andlife: I am constantly experimenting with alternative forms of lighting,new lenses, perspectives and locations-I’ve never gotten bored. SL: You recently had your first solo gallery showing in Florida. How did you prepare for it mentally/emotionally? Mo-T: I moved to Florida June 2005. I was in a group art show in Jan2007 and my first solo show was at a Look Photo Gallery (Naples, FL) inApril 2008. I’m stoked the owners saw my work and asked me to show. Iwas honored. One thing I am not is a curator it’s so hard to choosewhat would be best to show. We went in with the approach of sellinglarge format fine art photographs, so we can not only exhibit my workand style but the intent is to sell and make some money, as this is mylivelihood. I gave them a range of what I wanted on display and theypicked their top 10 and we had them produced. They are not tooesoteric, we chose edgy but appealing images that have been favored inmy portfolio throughout the years, hoping that these will have broaderappeal and income potential at the public exhibit. SL: What images were chosen? Mo-T: A B&W of running zebras in East Africa, a smoking girl I shoton a lifestyle shoot in LA, blue ripples of tranquil Maine ocean water,beach grass on Cape Cod shot with my macro lens and cross processedmaking colors pop and a B&W of a man’s ripped back muscles holdinga flag rippling in the Hawaiian trade winds. SL: What constitutes a successful showing (opening) for you? Mo-T: A large, anxious turnout. Reaction to my images…whether it besurprise, delight, provoking thought, insult, disgust people or causedisapproval. At least they are affected. I’d rather have them reactthan walk-away out of indifference or boredom. SL: Do you find you approach your work differently than artist botholder & younger than yourself? If so, what can you learn from themor vice versus? Mo-T: Though there are similarities in the way artists/photographerswork, everyone has their own approach. Two people can achieve the exactsame goal however go about it in opposing ways. It boils down to eachperson’s style. I recently saw a photo shoot production on YouTube; theshoot included a gamut of assistants and elaborate, expensiveequipment. The results of the shoot turned out spectacular. I realizedI had some very similar images that I made, sans production staff andexcess equipment: Just a few implements from Mother Nature and homedepot. I’ve also learned from a kid’s approach to art. As far as Iknow, they don’t give it much thought. They let the process unfoldorganically and let it flow. Remembering this calms me down and puts meat ease before a shoot.  The best approach for me is to let it comefrom within. SL: What is something you did as a teenager you still practice today? Mo-T: It’s not really practice, maybe more habitual or innate, but Ialways look at the photograph and not so much the words. It’s been thisway with magazines and textbooks. I’ve always been a visual person andcatch onto images. If I pick up a book rich in text with little to nophotographs, I lose interest. Photos you can feel. If I’m feeling orthinking something when looking at an image, it’s done its job. SL: What is your philosophy, if any, on life and work? Mo-T: My life and work philosophies are the same: Photography definesme. I don't want to be 90, on my deathbed and regret not having donesomething. My car crash was my epiphany that life can change in theblink of an eye. Carpe Diem! Michelle’s work can be found at www.michelletricca.com and www.michelletriccaweddings.com Her work is also on view at: www.lookphotogallery.com Comments Show/Hide Comment form Please login to post comments or replies.

Last Updated on Friday, 01 May 2009 00:00