Are you looking for a unique photographer?
Meet Kathleen Facciponti of k. Facciponti Photography. Within her Dunellen studio you will find fairies, Angels, princesses, princes, elves, knights, Goddesses, warriors, and many other costumes just waiting to be filled.
Kathleen specializes in Fairytale Portraits for every one of all ages. Her studio is filled not only with costumes but with props that range from a life-size moon or toadstool to a Christmas Winter wonderland (pictured), snow included. Comparable to Glamour portraits but with much more detail. Even still her traditional portraits are nothing short of stunning. You can see that she is the artist behind the lens with each portrait having her distinctive unique touch within it.
It was one year ago Thanksgiving that she first opened her studio doors. Although she has studied photography for eight years and has worked freelance, it was around that time that her friends and family prompted her to turn her talents professional, or at the very least, share it with others. Within that year, her Studio has boomed, and that is an understatement.
Mrs. Lisa Zaretsky, November 18, 2005. (First portrait session with Kathleen taken on 10-12-05)
“With a new baby in the family I have spent countless hours trying to get the perfect shot to blow up, frame, and send to family members. As I was strolling through the Somerville fair, I was immediately drawn to an artistic array of pictures that were on display at a nearby booth. I remember thinking to myself, "I wish I could get a picture of my daughter that looked like just one of those!" From fairies, to magical holiday scenes, to candid black and white shots, Kathleen had everything to offer. To say the least, I was more than impressed with her diverse variety of shots from newborns to adults. I knew I had to use her! Kathleen's warmth and genuine love for photography was evident as she patiently shared her unforgettable portfolio shots with me. After receiving an informational handout form Kathleen regarding her packages and prices, I instantly decided to cancel my appointment that I had with a local chain photographer to work one on one with Kathleen. Kathleen was willing to offer me whatever time it took to get the shots that she needed. This was appealing to me because I was only given a forty five minute block with appointments scheduled back to back at another photo studio. I called Kathleen the following week and we were busy at our first photo shoot within a week. Kathleen had an array of costumes, props, and backdrops to choose from as well as inviting toys to keep my daughter happy and preoccupied. Kathleen's warmth and patience made the experience amazing. She was open to ideas and suggestions and took a plethora of different shots. Within weeks she emailed me the proofs which gave me the opportunity to view and choose them at my leisure with my husband and family. Her 'Pieces of Me' black and white series which represents different body parts of my daughter is a timeless treasure that has become a piece of art in our home. Anyone that has seen Kathleen's work of my daughter has been speechless and everyone wants copies of her pictures. Her prices are fabulous and her pictures are priceless. As busy as Kathleen has become, she truly makes you feel like you are the only person she is working for. Kathleen is by far your best choice as a photographer. The pictures she has taken of my daughter have brought smiles to my families and friends faces.”
So, what does the artist think of herself? Well, ask the proud mother of a new born girl, Lisa Zaretsky:
Mrs. Zaretsky daughter’s picture is one of the many beautiful holiday images captured in the holiday slide show on Uncommonphoto.com.
So, who is Kathleen? Basically, she’s your neighbor. Kathleen and her husband Stephen Mennella reside in Dunellen. Together they are raising their two very rambunctious sons Angelo Giovanni, 5 & Lorenzo Salvatore, 3. Shown here in there family holiday portrait.
Kathleen is not shy in stating that she prefers to leave the business aspect behind, and focus completely on photographing her subjects. Even less shy in admitting that her husband is the glue that holds the tiny business together. Mr. Mennella is an attorney with Gill & Camas in Woodbridge. Add to it, keeping up with his very busy schedule he balances the kid’s car pool with Kathleen, maintaining a household, helping run the technical end of the photography studio, and occupies the boys while mommy is working. As if this weren’t’ enough to make your head spin, they are waiting for the third child due in June.
“I am not competitive by nature” says Kathleen. “ I hope I never am. My feeling is that once I start looking over my shoulder to see what the competition is up to, then I have started working not for the love of the art of photography, but for the spotlight amongst others in my field. For me, that is just not a good enough reason to stay in this profession. I love what I do, without that my images are just needles in a haystack.”
Three of Kathleen’s images have been published by the International Library of Photography, one of which was selected for Best photos of 2003. In her home town of Dunellen, NJ Kathleen enjoys partaking in the annual "Day in the life" Photography Contest. In 2004 she won first prize. In 2005 she won first and second prize. (See winning photos here).
"I have in a sense been born and raised in this little town of Dunellen" Kathleen says of her home town. "My father opened his buisiness here in 1968. Today he continues his buisiness in the exact same location, same building, its really remarkable to me. I have seen this town change through out my life. Being apart of current events in Dunellen is like a family gathering to me. "
If you live in Dunellen and you have gone all out to “Deck your Halls”, don’t be surprised if you get a knock on your door and Kathleen is on the other side. This season she will be doing a story book series of images called, Dunellen Lights of the Season. The images will be posted regularly on her site for everyone to enjoy. At the photographer’s request, she has asked that if you have seen a home that is particularly inspiring or you feel that your own is, please email her with the approximate location or the address. You just may see it up there on her site. You can email her at Kathleen@Uncommonphoto.com.
Kathleen shares one of her biggest thrills while studying photography “When I was in New York Studying with the Nikon School, Joe McNally was the guest lecturer that day. He has photographed cover stories for LIFE, TIME, Newsweek, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, and New York Magazine. I met with Mr. McNally and found him to be very humbling. A man who started out with only the basics of knowledge of photography as a young boy and grew to be world renown. Not overnight, but step by step along the way. What I learned that day has carried with me more so than any other technical aspect I have learned. Without the passion to photograph and the will to constantly stretch your arms out to new ideas, you will remain as you were the day you started in this business, just another photographer. But with it, you are constantly growing. I am and always will be, constantly growing..”
k. Facciponti Photography, Photographer Kathleen Facciponti, Uncommonphoto.com, & Facciponti.com. All rights reserved. Copyright 1999-2008.
All images are the property of Kathleen Facciponti of k. Facciponti Photography and may not be copied, claimed, altered, or used otherwise.
Kathleen L. Facciponti
