Meet Joe Scarnici | Photographer/Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Scarnici and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There really was no thought process in starting my own business. I’d been shooting photos since I was reloading disposable film cameras at 15 years old and it just seemed natural to me to support myself taking pictures. The business just came out of a natural money earning aspect of using my love of photography to support myself. As my photography skills grew so did the business aspect of owning a photography business.

What should our readers know about your business?
It’s easy to get complacent when you’re making money with your career. The hard part is to think past the right now and dream for the future. Staying “safe” is the last thing you should do. Art Brewer always said “When you’re comfortable it’s time to start to find the next step” meaning never stay comfortable! Strive for something and when you finally get there find the next thing to strive for. Photography is not an easy career to jump in to. There are so many creative people with a camera of some sort that are producing content. It’s critical to have a business plan not just live job to job. When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a photographer who travels the world taking pictures and after I reached my late 30’s I woke up one day and realize I’ve been doing this for years, was “safe” and that I’d made it….. but I was/am too young to just ride it out! I’ve hired consultants, editors, advisors, more editors and more consultants to help me to push to the next level of my photography. My new goal is to become a go-to commercial photographer for larger campaigns.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think anybody visiting LA needs to start on Hollywood and Vine to see the theatre and the stars. Once we got that out of the way I’d take them to Hoy Ka down Sunset for Thai food lunch. We’d need to spend a day in Santa Monica walking around the promenade and pier – of course taking a ride on the roller coaster on the pier. I’m always a fan of Eataly in Century City for a food experience, I like going to Dodger Stadium for baseball or Sofi Stadium for a football game and if we were to catch a soccer match at Dignity Health I’d stop at Eatalian restaurant after (yes I like Italian food). I like going to the Getty Center to see the art and walk around the beautiful museum on the hill. As far as beaches go, it’s definitely a trip to Laguna Beach or Dana Point for some gorgeous beach, surf and great food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d say there are three people that deserve recognition for me being who I am as a photographer. 1: My father for taking a pic of my G-I Joe and a dinosaur in my backyard when I was 5, sparking my interest in photography 2: Art Brewer for showing me how to be a professional photographer and for pushing me to work harder and smarter in everything I do and stay creative and 3: Clive Brunskill for teaching me sport photography on the side of a tennis court and teaching me that you can learn sport photography anywhere, it’s a mindset not a subject specific thinking pattern.

Website: www.joescarnici.com

Instagram: @joescarnici

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-scarnici-12a28635/