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

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a commercial photographer I have more of a fine art feel to my work. My education as a photographer was more aesthetically based rather than technical. I often find my self navigating both worlds. As a commercial photographer I sorta went against the mainstream when I started out by marketing directly to companies instead of ad agencies. Even after I had achieved some years of success, I realized that I had not worked with most agencies in my hometown of Philly. This made me feel like an outsider in the Adverting world. That is no longer the case, my work is mostly through agencies now.

As an artist and a business I find that I sorta reinvent myself every 7-10 years to keep it fresh, new and interesting. Its not a totally conscience decision its more me just evolving as an artist and a person. I need a change and start perusing new interests. Over the years the same themes keep appearing in my work, art history and my family history, and my story as an Italian American that grew up in the northeast(New Jersey). My work tends to be dark and classic, almost traditional and sometimes ironic, sarcastic or even funny. As I get older I find my voice much easier and it is so clear to me. I started shooting food about 5-6 years ago. this was the perfect intersection of all the themes of my work. Though I am always trying to challenge myself and grow as an artist, I do find, I do it with a bit more confidence as I get older.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have been in Philadelphia for almost 35 years now, and it is my home, I love the city. Philly has a great restaurant scene and so many museums. I live in the Fishtown Neighborhood, a neighborhood the has been gentrifying for the last 15 years. It’s a hip neighborhood with lots of shops & restaurants and a great community, filled with creatives. Being part of the Fishtown community has become one of my favorite things about Philly. We have great shops like Vestige and Delicious Boutique and Minnow Lane. My favorite restaurant is Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, but we also have Cheu, Nunu , Suraya and Beddia Pizza, we are never at a loss for great food. And La Colombe has their flagship coffee shop here and we have Milkcrate, a record store/coffee shop with a liquor license. It really is filled with talented creative people that are making a difference, and I am proud to be a part of it.
I am also on the board at PPAC, The Philadelphia Photographic Arts Center. A wonderful arts institution that has gallery’s, educational programs, printing, mounting and framing, computer labs, artist residences and so much more. I really enjoy working with theman their place in the community, it’s another part of Philly I am so proud to be a part of.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been very fortunate to always have had great people around me that love and supported me starting with my family. My parents have always supported the idea of me being an artist. My dad is naturally a very talented artist and that has influenced me from a very early age. Although I have never been asked if I have a degree when getting a photo job, my education at University of the Arts has been invaluable to me as an Artist. The program I was in was aesthetic based, and really taught me how to see. I was lucky to have amazing photographers at my teachers, mentors and friends, most of which I am still in touch with.

Website: www.episcopo.com

Instagram: @dom_episcopo_photo

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dominic-episcopo-76a7346

Twitter: @MeatAmerica

Facebook: Dominic Episcopo Photography

Other: http://www.at-edge.com/artist.aspx?AID=14318

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.