Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Stancampiano.
Hi Tom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From the beginning, Shooting was my main focus. I idolized some great editorial photographers like Newton, Avedon, Diane Arbus, and the like. I wanted to tell stories in images, and I still do. I figured modernizing some of the classics would give me the satisfaction I was looking for since I was born during post fashion revolution.
It’s still what my focus is. I’ve tried other genres and trends but they left me hollow and unfulfilled. So now I just do what I do and strive to get better every day. I decided to combine my studio space and shooting into one. That’s where I am today.
I have always been in the Lowertown area in St. Paul since I began my Studio Journey. Starting in 2004 in the Northwestern Building and then Jumping around From the Jax building to the ACVR. After the Jax was sold and all the artists had to leave, I wound up renting space in the ACVR Building (now the FOK Studios). I rented there and evolved my Business to Blackheart Studio. When the leaseholder Dan Davis decided he was going to leave, I took over his lease. Now I lease 4000 sqft of space in the same building, broken down into 3 separate studios and several shooting areas in each.
As well as working in the space, I rent it out by the hour, at a rate that any artist can afford. From Hobbyist to Professional.
We all as artists have visions and Ideas we want to produce. Getting them out is my goal.
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?
Not a smooth road at all… lol. With the gentrification of the art spaces in St. Paul, the development of inexpensive digital cameras, and of course social media, I had to adjust everything. Several times.
You couldn’t make money with portraits, weddings, and all that because everyone that bought a camera called themselves a “Photographer”.
I finally decided on launching the rental space hoping the business would come to me. Meanwhile, I could focus on Art, and what I wanted to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work, the work I am proud to call Art, is a mix of Editorial, art, and some fashion, but most thought-provoking.
I like to show feminine power and status in my work. I want to deliver to the viewer a piece of work that makes the viewer think, react, and hopefully change them in any way, even if it’s in a minuscule way.
I am known for sticking to my guns in what I do. I will take into consideration of Ideas from clients but always put my stamp on them.
I am also known for being respectful, and blunt, and having good communication with my clients so there are no surprises when we work.
What sets me apart? I’m not 100% sure. I will just be who I am, don’t follow trends, and try to be creative and unique as possible. Also, the fact I am older and still can relate to the younger artists and models in the area.
I also am huge into the community and want to be more. Hosting education, and podcasts, donating time at the studio for local designers to rehearse. I think this is a huge part of creating relationships in the community and with fellow artists.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Depending on what your needs are I can be available to collaborate with other artists and models. The best way, of course, is to purchase a block of time with me which is done at a very reasonable rate compared to some of the boudoir shooters out there today.
Really, all you have to do to collab is ask. If I have an idea or vision that you fit into, good chance I’ll do it if I have time.
Support in today’s world has varied meanings. Support by hiring me or renting at the studio financially, but also through social media. Following and liking don’t gain you business necessarily, but they can gain you grassroots business now and in the future. Rather than spending large bucks on online marketing, I feel that the grassroots approach creates longer-lasting relationships.
Pricing:
- $150 per hour for a basic photoshoot
- Full packages from $350 – $1500
- Commissioned work from $500 and up
- $40/50 per hour for space rental w 2-hour minimum
- Small events rates start at $800
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackheartstudio.biz
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shutterman
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackheartstudiomn
- Twitter: @shutterman
- Youtube: @shutterman
Image Credits
Crystal @lotusskashh, Vivian Rose @livmarge, Samira Saige McKenna @seeing.saige, and @arieltini_rn12 Kristine
