Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Foto.
Hi Ali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
“I am excited to tell you my story. I am so fortunate to be able to pick up my camera and meet so many amazing people along the way. I have traveled to faraway places creating a lot of still and moving pictures for myself and others. Throughout the years, I have been immersed in analog and digital art. After my stint meeting professional boxer Amir Khan while interning in Los Angeles, my boxing images from a research project unknowingly turned into my first photo exhibition – HPGRP Gallery in New York City – “Beyond One Lens & Over 100 Eyes.” I’m a self-taught photographer!” and former photography instructor at the Summit Visual Arts Center in Summit, NJ, where I held my second photography exhibition, “Live Ropes & Wires”. Currently, I run my full-time business that offers photography, video, cinematography, & DJ entertainment. Followers can view some of my work at the following link www.aaphotodesign.com.
In addition, I just completed my first film project. I was invited by Director Tanzeel Kayani to work as a behind-the-scenes film set photographer. The film’s location took place on Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus where the Beautiful Mind was filmed starting Russell Crow!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been an easy one. I graduated from Humber Institute of Technology in Toronto with a 3D animation for broadcast and design degree. After which, I worked on comedian Jim Bruer’s live comedy skit and turned it into a 2d cartoon animated series. I was lead of the research and development department of Croog Studios in NYC. After which, I spent time working as a consultant for an oil company working in regions from Denver, Colorado via Montana to Calgary, Alberta. Afterward, the oil economy dropped dead, and I ended up moving to Toronto. While in Toronto, I tried restarting my photography business; however, my hours working for Hilton Group as an engineer gave me very little time to devote to my photography business. In June of 202o beginning of pandemic, my home was stolen from me due to criminal activity of my stepmother and my three step-siblings. I was stuck in between two countries and nowhere to go. I ended up moving my business to NYC, and I’m still in legal battle over my home, 🙁
On a positive note, this week, I just finished working on my first film as a photographer. Abysm premiere is tomorrow, June 18, 2020. I was invited for the second time to fashion week New York City by a major NYC fashion magazine, runway7
Runway 7 is recognized as New York’s premiere Fashion Week runway event representing the best in cultural diversity by integrating international designers, media, celebrities, and commerce every season.
Runway 7’s expansive lifestyle marketplace includes designers and guests ranging from fashion and art to design and music, striving for excellence in presenting every season’s must-see shows, performances, and installations.
Philanthropy stands at the core of Runway 7’s mission, having raised $50,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Research thru Mount Sinai’s Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center.
Runway 7 is recognized as New York’s premiere Fashion Week runway event representing the best in cultural diversity by integrating international designers, media, celebrities, and commerce every season.
Runway 7’s expansive lifestyle marketplace includes designers and guests ranging from fashion and art to design and music, striving for excellence in presenting every season’s must-see shows, performances, and installations.
Philanthropy stands at the core of Runway 7’s mission, having raised $50,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Research thru Mount Sinai’s Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist, animator, photographer, videographer, cinematographer, & DJ. I photograph high-volume events and specialize in large-scale concert and DJ events.
One of my specialty clients is DJ Manny The Greek; I have been photographing him behind the deck for over a decade. I am his personal photographer.
My specialties include:
High Volume Weddings, South Asian Weddings
Professional Sports
Realty
I have a drive for creativity. My goal is to become a movie director and produce epic films that will last forever.
I volunteer yearly for WPPI – Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. I have been volunteering for over a decade. WPPI is the biggest photography trade show in North American held yearly in Las Vegas. Last year I had the opportunity to work with judges in the wedding division lead by Susan Stripling. Jerry Ghionis & Melissa Ghionis are my directors at WPPI.
I’m fortunate that I get to work with the best photographers in the entire world under one roof yearly for an entire week.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
For a creative to successfully succeed in this type of environment and business one has to have extreme drive and passion!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aaphotodesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aa_photo_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAPHOTODESIGN/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaphotodesign/
Image Credits
©Ali Foto-AA Photo Design
