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by Martin Brown

Odds are if you’ve ever opened up a brochure from any performing arts venue in Philadelphia you’ve seen one of J.J.’s photographs. As a first-call freelance photographer and avid community activist, J.J. has carved a niche for himself in Philadelphia as prolific shutterbug “Ëœround town. He also runs mini concert series and photography workshops from his West Philly house. Check out his two newest projects with video clips interviewing anti-casino advocates and a public art installation proposal celebrating the Philadelphia dance community.

What is it that brought you to Philly?
I moved here from DC for college- didn’t know a lot about the city, but I wanted somewhere removed from home but not too far, somewhere urban but not too huge. The minute that I got here, it felt like home.

What inspires you most about the city?
This city is full of amazing people. Most of them don’t realize how freaking beautiful they are, but they bring me lots of joy. Something about the scale of this town allows for impeccable timing- you’ve got enough of a critical mass for lots of great things to be happening, but it’s not so overwhelming that the little sparks of beauty get drowned out in the clamor. It’s that mix of big city/small town.

You’re involved in a lot of community, performing arts, political, and travel based projects for which you take pictures. How did you decide this was a way you wanted to make art?
I wish I could say that there was some sort of decision, but it’s really been much more of one thing leading to the next – a gradual evolution. In hindsight, everything makes sense and seems well planned, but I always feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants.

Who are your artistic and personal inspirations?
Everyone that I’ve ever met! In the strangest of ways… everyone’s been an influence. The folks at Prometheus Radio Project and Free Press are doing some work that I think is really important for our country. Casino Free is doing work that I think is really important for this city. Same with the Media Mobilizing Project. The photographers at the local papers do some pretty amazing work under often really tough circumstances, and deserve a lot more recognition. Many of the performing artists, and behind the scenes tech folk that I’ve met through my involvement with the Live Arts/Fringe Festivals have been inspirational, as well as visual artists that I’ve crossed paths with through Open Studio Tours – not to mention the many amazing musicians in this city, some of whom I’ve been lucky enough to have perform in my own living room. The great folks opening up Studio 34 in my neighborhood. And of course Carman Luntzel, of Carman’s Country Kitchen-I used to work for her, and her brunches make my week.

If you weren’t a photographer what do you think you would do?
It’s hard to conceive of another path, but I kind of really miss being a coffee wench, so you might find me working part time in a coffee shop somewhere. Maybe learning how to play that hammered dulcimer that’s sitting in my closet un-tuned, taking some dance classes and trying to learn a few more languages.

http://www.jjtiziou.net
http://www.phillycasinovoices.org
http://www.howphillymoves.org