Talarico Photography - Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife and Landscape

Sam (on the left) caught a
Giant Trevally, Christmas Island

Sam Talarico - Biography

Age: 61
Camera: Nikon
Film: Fuji-Provia

Sam's passion for photography started at Woodstock in 1969. He bought his first camera - a Minolta SRT 101 - after returning from that monumental rock concert. Since then he has taught himself the skills to capture many wonderful images on film. He has kept up with the new technology that makes it possible to get great results with controlled light in remote areas, in action shots, and in unusual marine life macro photos. He works as a freelance photographer. His assignments have taken him to many exotic locations around the world. His work has been published in books, magazines, calendars, and travel and sports equipment brochures including Grays Sporting Journal, Men's Journal, Outdoor Life, The New York Times, National Geographic Adventure, Fly fishing Salt Waters, Salt Water Sportsman, Sport Fishing Magazine, among others. He has currently done assignments for President George Bush Sr., The National Conservation Fund, Columbia Sportswear, The Orvis Co., ESPN's Walkers Cay Chronicles, Fly Fishing Salt Waters. His photographs have also been used for advertising for LL Bean, Sage, Scott Rod Co. Scientific anglers, Rocky Boot Co, Patagonia, and Costa Del Mar, Winston Rod Co. to name a few. He has an extensive photo library on salt water fishing in Australia and fly fishing in the northeast for Stripers and Albacore.

Sam on a Columbia Sportswear shoot

Sam lives in the mountains of southeastern Pennsylvania. The house, outbuildings and wine cellar he has built are in a very secluded spot and has provided him with the peace to reflect on life and to be creative. Sam runs a specialty hardwood lumber business which grew out of doing fine woodworking. He has been a wine maker for 30 years and has won many national awards. A very special part of his life is Do/Wop. He sings lead with the Pretenders, A do/wop, oldies group that has been together for 38 years. The group has performed in shows with most of the well known oldies groups over the years, such as the Platters, the Duprees and Patti Labell and the Bluebells. All the original members of the group are alive and living near by in Reading. His do/wop photos are a very personal thing and a source of joy.

His passion for Fly fishing and traveling to primitive and unspoiled places has gotten him involved in exploratory fishing in some wild places. The combination of fly fishing and being a photographer has added infinite pleasure to his life. " I consider myself a photographer who loves to fish. When the fishing gets hot, I have no trouble putting down my rod and start shooting. The joy comes with freezing those great moments in time and sharing them with others," he says. His main interest in photography is to capture the spirit and life and soul of the people and places he sees. His main interest in life is to enjoy every second of it. Sam honestly feels the people you meet during your life forges your character. The friends you make along the way are the spice of life. He also craves hot peppers and travels with his own hot sauces and wine.

According to Sam, one of the most important events in his evolution as a fly fisherman and photographer was when he met Lefty Kreh. "He has shared so much with me that I consider him my mentor. It has been a joy to know him." The other is when he met his wife Lyra, who has always believed in him and given her support through the hard times.

Sam likes to shoot up close with a 20mm to 35mm lens. Many of Sam's images are shot with creative use of controlled fill flash and multiple strobes on location.

He is currently working on a Photographic coffee table book based on his adventures of inshore fly fishing. Forward written by Lefty Kreh. Prints of Sam's work are available framed, loose, or matted. Write or call for information.