Michael Tedesco
Nashville,TN
Summary
Dynamic freelance photographer with a proven track record at Tedesco Pictures, excelling in high-quality image creation and project leadership. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite and Capture One Pro, I foster collaboration and mentor emerging talent, enhancing visual storytelling and achieving significant revenue growth in previous roles.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Photographer
Tedesco Pictures
New York, NY & Nashville, TN, NY TN
01.2000 - Current
- Created high-quality still and video images for client needs in studio and on location, including portraits and still life.
- Used film, digital, still, and video camera formats across varied production needs.
- Captured tethered digital images with MacBook Pro, Capture One Pro, and Photoshop.
- Applied lighting setups with strobes, HMI, and hotlights for studio and location shoots.
- Performed image corrections and retouching in Photoshop, including curves, color, and spotting.
- Facilitated visual problem solving and styling to enhance shoot preparation and execution.
- Coordinated production crews, including assistants, hair and makeup, and locations, to ensure seamless shoot operations.
- Coordinated rentals for equipment and props to support production needs..
- Cultivated professional relationships with high-profile and celebrity clients to foster collaboration.
- Mentored assistant photographers and provided paid tutoring for new photographers.
Senior Photographer
Journal Communications
Franklin, TN
05.2013 - 10.2018
- Full Time Travel Photographer
- Traveled across the United States 24 weeks a year to capture compelling photographs for state departments of agriculture, farm bureau publications, and community magazines
- Applied extensive knowledge of cameras and photographic lighting to enhance visual storytelling
- Captioned and delivered images promptly to meet tight publication deadlines
- Displayed ability to adapt to a wide variety of assignments and environments
- Coordinated travel arrangements for photography assignments, flights, rental car, hotels
- Mentored other more junior photographers on staff
- (promoted in 2015)
Photographer
NYC Municipal Archives
New York, NY
05.2001 - 05.2013
- Captured high-quality images of large and small maps, along with various documents and photographs.
- Digitized prints, negatives, drawings, objects, etc., using digital cameras, flatbed and virtual drum scanners. Imacon Flextight 646 Film Scanner & Tekgraf TDS 1130 Flatbed Scanner using Mac & PC
- Developed state-of-the-art digital lab, establishing metadata standards in Access and Excel for consistent cataloging. Collaborated with internal and external partners to implement Luna Insight digital asset management software, scanning and migrating hundreds of thousands of images, and create an online image gallery that facilitated online orders.
- Oversaw photography unit improvements, driving revenue growth from $20,000 to $300,000 annually.
- Advised institutions on digitization projects and assisted photo editors and researchers for exhibits.
- Aided in the hiring and directing of staff photographers in both a traditional black & white darkroom and digital lab
- Assisted in grant writing for multiple NEH Grants, focusing on digitization of photographic glass plate negative collections, re-housing and storage of 800,000 photographic negatives, and digital scanning and frozen storage of tens of thousands of acetate and nitrate negatives.
- Indexed and cataloged images, maps, and historical documents for efficient retrieval.
- Evaluated physical condition of a photographic collection and determining make and origin (i.e. glass & nitrate negatives, lantern slides, chromes, early & modern safety film)
- Photographically documented events at and related to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center from 2001-2004 at various sites including Ground Zero, Fresh Kills Landfill, and Piers
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography-Photojournalism & Advertising, History Minor
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NYSkills
- Capture One Pro expertise
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Camera equipment management
- Lighting equipment knowledge
- Videography and editing
- Digital asset management
- Microsoft Office applications
- Project leadership
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Detail-oriented communication
- Digital asset management
Personal Information
- Title: Freelance Photographer
- Driving License: Valid Tennessee Drivers License
Clients
Men's Health, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, Rodale Publishing, Penguin Publishing, Avery Publishing, Gotham Books, Reagan Books, Mutual of America, Jujamcyn Theaters, St John's University, The Source Magazine, CMJ, Niko Companies, Wolters Kluwer, Bloomberg Markets, Fortune Small Business, Narnack Records, Decker Design, Journal Communications, Meharry Medical College, Country Music Association (CMA) Warner Music Nashville, Warner Chappell Music Production, Wilco Local, ARC of TN, GS Steel, Edge Artist Management, University of Tennessee, Movement Mortgage, Courage Capital Management, McDonald's, Spire Gas Inc., Edelman Financial
Books Published
Tiki Barber's Pure Hard Workout, New Rules of Lifting for Women, New Rules of Lifting Abs, New Rules of Lifting for Life, New Rules of Lifting Supercharged, Built For Show
Timeline
Senior Photographer
Journal Communications
05.2013 - 10.2018
Photographer
NYC Municipal Archives
05.2001 - 05.2013
Freelance Photographer
Tedesco Pictures
01.2000 - Current
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography-Photojournalism & Advertising, History Minor
Rochester Institute of Technology