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If you’ve been to a Photoshop Wold conference then there is no doubt that you have seen this man running around. Typically dressed in black, arms bigger than your head, sweet as pie, always has a smile or a kind word for everyone, and usually he is surrounded by the ladies. I am talking of none other than Mr. Robert Vanelli – the unofficial and only conference “security guard” and better known as simply “V”.

So without further adieu, here is the this week’s installment of the NAPP Interview Series:

Robert “V” Vanelli

(click the pic to be taken to his website)

First off, thank you Firgs for creating this new informative section that let’s your readers ask some of the questions! I’m sure everyone will gain new insights to people you interview.

Q. What parts of Melbourne do you really enjoy photographing? (I was born there and am curious) -from @rorymadstudios via Twitter

I love to shoot at Wickham Park near the duck ponds. Downtown Cocoa Village, the ocean at Ron Jon’s Resort in Cape Canaveral, and along the river over any Causeway are just a few other places I go to capture the beauty of Melbourne.

Q. You’ve been to more Photoshop Worlds than most. How many have you been to? What keeps you coming back? -from Patrick LaMontagne via Facebook

I’ve gone to every Photoshop World since it has started except for 1. I missed PSW San Francisco! I attend PSW twice a year; East Coast and West Coast. I admit it, I’m spoiled! In the beginning, my thirst for knowledge kept me going back for more I was always amazed how NAPP could keep it exciting and fresh from year to year.
The three main reasons why I attend now are…

1.  To sharpen my skills and to focus on theory and concepts that each instructor brings to the table. I not only listen to what they teach, but how they teach it.

2.  Networking with new and old friends. Helping them pick classes and sharing knowledge they received from the class.

3.  Not gonna lie, It’s FUN! Dancing at the afterhour’s party, doing crazy things at midnight madness gives you an opportunity to play as hard as you work.

Q.  How is it that you received the “PSW security guard” persona? When did it start?

Not sure at what Photoshop World it started. Barbi Taylor, NAPP’s incredible HR director was standing guard at one midnight madness. As people started showing up, they were pushing the front people closer to the door. She kept trying to get them to move back. I smiled and helped out. The next Photoshop World she looked at me and without a word, I entertained the crowd telling stories of pass Photoshop Worlds and such. Now a group of friends help by doing a pre-midnight madness warm up for those who come early. Can’t tell you what we do, but find some photos on the web and you will see.

Q. What is it you actually guard during Photoshop World? All the photos I see of you are always with pretty ladies who attend PSW. -from Mike Kelly via Facebook

I make sure adoring fans keep a distance of 20 feet from Stephanie Cross. Just kidding! Actually I have no official security duties. However, Mike Kubeisy just informed me I can neither confirm nor deny that last statement.

Q.  How involved are you with NAPP during the rest of the year? -from Patrick LaMontagne via Facebook

I live about 3.5 hours from NAPP. I wish I could take time to visit them more. We keep in touch over the phone or emails. Scott tries to keep his boys safe from the crazy adventures of Vanelli. But when Scott was in Hawaii a few months back, Matt Kloskowski, R.C. Concepcion, Randy Van Duinen along with a few of my guys attended a karate seminar with the Legendary Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. After the seminar, we did a photo shoot of Superfoot. We crashed at their houses and then did a photo shoot of Tampa Bay. I got to make breakfast for the Kloskowskis and the crew. Yes Matt’s wife is a saint. I made sure nothing bad happen to the boys, they are too valuable to NAPP.

Q.  Who is your favorite photographer to learn from?

Depends on what I’m doing.

Joe McNally · Squeezing the life out of portable small flash strobes.

Mike Kubeisy · Working in the shadows with studio lighting.

Moose Peterson · Trying to see what Moose sees on a shoot without cropping.

Sandy Foster · Street life photography in all its’ glory.

Kevin Ames · Capturing a model’s beauty and glamour.

David Ziser · His ability to take an ordinary environment and make it look enchanted.

Eddie Tapp · Seeing pockets of light.

Alan Hess · Working in a low light environment.

Jeff King · The newest latest and greatest gadgets.

Ben Wilmore · Creative concepts and unique camera angles.

Vincent Versace · What can I say, the Master’s Master! When I feel my creativity is blocked, he puts me in the right direction.

My advice, if you are lucky enough to attend a workshop with any of these photographers, keep your mouth shut and ears open! Forget what you think you know and work outside your comfort zone. You have plenty of time to develop your own style on your own.

Don’t underestimate the value of online classes. Kelbytraining.com has these instructors and more available to you 24/7. Before a major shoot, I gravitate to the site for last minute tips and tricks.
On a side note, these are a few photographers on my wish list for 2010! John Paul Caponigro, Jack Davis, Jim DiVitale, Laurie Excell, Jay Maisel, Jack Reznicki and Scott Kelby

Q.  In the movie of your life, who would play you? -from @ecaps1 via Twitter

A white version: Ashton Kutcher, a black version – Bernie Mac, a white female version – Lucille Ball, a black female version – Whoopi Goldberg, and an Italian version Stallone  (but back when he was in Rocky II)

Q. I heard something about a photography/poetry book you are working on. How is that coming along? -from Sandy Parks via Email

I wish it were coming along faster! (A little history on the project) Back in 1996 I finished my poetry book entitled “Life’s Dreams”. It was a collection of motivational poems I wrote over the years. The collection included poems on how I felt when my mother passed away, my rise on the karate circuit, and my fight with cancer that forced me to step down and where life led me after competition. The book was ready when a tragic event occurred. The karate studio was broken into. The thieves took everything and the backup drive along with other memorable items. Everything was lost. That same year was the birth of my son Alec. I decided to put the book on hold and raise him. I figured I’d get back to it when Alec was old enough to go to school. Along the way I fell in love with photography. I decided I would use my own photographs for the book and not the stock photography I used in the past. After Alec was old enough to attend school, the months turned into years and in 2007 I read an acknowledgement that Scott Kelby humbly wrote in one of his books. He said, “I want to write a book that HE wants me to write”. That inspired me to get back on track. I worked hard on photography and wrote a few more poems. I struggled with capturing the right photograph for the right poem. Many of my talented friends agreed to let me use their amazing photos for the book. I was set, or so I thought. During my trip to L.A., I stopped to see Vincent Versace. He told me not what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear. He said I’m talented enough to use my own photos and gave me advice on letting the photograph inspire my poetry. Back to the drawing board!

Q. It is well known that you have a habit of gathering phone numbers at PSW, some without people even knowing it. In your collection of “stolen phone numbers” which one is your most prized and how did you get it?

OK for the record, I’ve never “stolen” a number without “telling” the accused party that I did. Really, this started out as a funny joke. Everyone always VOLUNTEERED their numbers to me except for one person, Matt Kloskowski. He heard what he felt were horror stories from my buddy Ross Bushong. Ross said how Vanelli never sleeps so at night, he will call him at like 2 a.m. or something. Now I must admit that maybe true, but I do have rules. The main rule, the household can’t have a sleeping child in it. If you are single, yeah expect a call. Well Matt was a little unwilling to take a chance, after all he only knew me for a short time. So I told him my battery was dead and I needed to make a call. He let me use his phone. I called my phone and BAM I had his number. At first he didn’t understand what I did then Scott chimed in and said that was slick, he now has your number! The horror on Matt’s face was priceless until he saw me do it to Dave Cross.  My most prize phone number I’ve “stolen”? My dad’s from my sister’s phone! No really, it would be Scott Kelby. He finally gave me his cell number after he taught his beautiful little girl to read the caller ID and press decline.

Q. If you could take over NAPP HQ for a day – what is the first thing you would do?

Easy… I’d throw them an unforgettable party! I’d read testimonials from NAPP members on how they made a difference in their life. I would pull a few strings and have the Mayor award “The Key to the City” to Scott. Since it would be held on a Friday, they could take two days off to recuperate!

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I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to V for agreeing to be subject to question. I simply adore him and I’m so excited to have him here! Thanks V!!! Remind me to hug you later!

If you want to learn more about V – click his pic or be sure to visit his Twitter account!

Next week – the amazing woman behind the book that’s been called the new Photoshop Bible – The CS4 Missing Manual – and my all time personal Photoshop Goddess – Lesa Snider!!! Don’t miss it!