#haley varacallo

[harryjameshanson]

Y2k0k0 look book for Hester Sunshine!

Production & Art Direction by Harry James Hanson

Photography & Editing by Haley Varacallo

[qwear]

Wo Chan: Drag, Poetry, and Emotional Survival

Wo Chan, the poet and drag performer from Brooklyn, has a new fashion goal: “Wear whatever I want, always, no matter where I’m going. Just wear whatever pleases me.” What pleases Wo may shift from day to day, but originates from the same spirit: “My dressing process is very childlike. I go

Photography by Haley Varacallo

[harryjameshanson]

Baby Yors on Irk Magazine!

Photography by Haley Varacallo

Styling by Harry James Hanson

[harryjameshanson]

Baby Yors on Kluid Magazine

Photography by Haley Varacallo

Styling by Harry James Hanson

[harryjameshanson]

New Baby Yors video out now on KALTBLUT!

ft. Photography by Haley Varacallo & Styling by Harry James Hanson

[pandrapp-blog]

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from originally?

Well, my full name is Haley Elizabeth Varacallo, im 23 and originally from a tiny town in Pennsylvania. I am a portrait photographer. 

You went to SCAD in Savannah, yes? How was that experience?

Deciding to drop everything I had going on at Robert Morris University, RMU, in Pittsburgh, PA, to transfer to SCAD, has been my best life decision thus far. I have truly flourished because of all of my varying experiences within my time at SCAD. From learning to be extremely diligent and determined, constantly and consistently growing and exploring my creative spirit, various mediums, expressing myself in many forms, mastering techniques and ideas, and really blossoming into a persona and artist that i am very proud to be.  

What were your main influences for pursuing photography and who influences your work?

Well, I began taking photo/photoshop classes back in high school, along with every other art class that was offered; but i really started becoming engrossed in photography in particular when i took my first analog/darkroom photo class at RMU.

As for influences, I know I often get negative responses when I answer this question honestly, but, I honestly don't look at a bunch of other photographers for inspiration. I form my ideas for series or projects based around my personal interests and curiosities and I stick to my own visual aesthetics for how i feel best gets whatever mood I want across. I have a background in painting, sculpting, and other art forms, so I bring a lot of those same technical approaches to my lighting and photography. If I had to say what photographers work I really admire and idealize i'd say Gregory Crewdson, because who could argue with that? And Miles Aldridge, Diane Arbus, Brassai, Francesca Woodman, Nan Goldin and Cindy Sherman.

How did you come up with the idea and concept for The Person and The Persona?

I began photographing performers of the more exotic or erotic nature about three years ago when I stumbled upon an incredibly electrifying and contagiously entertaining 'drag' and performance group in the small artsy town of Savannah, Georgia. The group is known as The House of Gunt. I soon realized that I was very much drawn to the extremely diverse and loud personalities or 'personas' that this group of people possessed, along with their gorgeous and ridiculous makeup, color schemes and wardrobes. After forming close friendships with several of the performers I then realized how much I also loved their more private and real personalities as their true 'person' .. Once I began to explore the reasons and passions behind why each performer enjoys doing what they do, what sort of an outlet it is for them, and the good and the bad involved, I became aware that I wanted to shed light on what i feel is a wonderful culture and form of self expression, which is often misconceived and misunderstood. The series The Person and The Persona brings a sense of intimacy to a group of people that often are only seen in partial light, on stage, and in the eyes of the paying viewer.

How many unique individuals have you photographed?

If I am counting all of the performers or unique personas that I have photographed throughout all of my series and work, I would say roughly about 110-120. I have photographed unique individuals in Savannah, Atlanta, New York, New Orleans, and now Berlin.. How many individuals have I photographed specifically for the series The Person and The Persona? I would say about 30.

All of your subjects were initially photographed in the states. How did you wind up in Berlin?

After graduating from SCAD in May 2015, I was in the process of deciding where to move and find work next. I had been having several solo and group shows in Savannah, was having commissioned pieces and making a little bit of income, paired with working with promotions and marketing master Barry Brandon, when he approached me with the proposal that I come to Berlin with him to work on several projects both together and individually. I was fortunate and hungry enough to accept his offer and we made plans to work on my The Person and The Persona series, along with me assisting with lighting and photographing for his two projects as well, the launching of Pandr, and his photo project Stitched Up. Barry and I also collaborated with select Berlin stylists and drag queens to shoot a fashion editorial at Another Sidewalk Studio.

How did you find everyone once you arrived?

I certainly hit the ground running. The first night I was in town Barry and I attended a drag event hosted by the one and only Pansy Parker. where we naturally got back stage privileges , where i connected with several of the performers and made plans for a dinner date later on in the week. I guess it;s just all about really jumping in with both feet, telling anyone about your work who will listen, and getting people excited about working with me. Luckily everyone was incredibly supportive and ready to come on board. For the next couple weeks Barry and I went to every event, show, party, bar and club, art exhibition, and coffee date that we could in order to network and connect with as many people as possible, for all of our projects. We were very fortunate with our findings!

What are your plans for the project? What is the end goal?

The final form of this series will be in a double bound book, consisting of both The Person, and The Persona shots of each performer, as well as miscellaneous select shots from my Drag: The Individuals series, and from my Intimate Spaces series. Also included will be interviews of each individual and a personal summary and bio.

What do you have happening outside of The Person and The Persona?

Right now is an exciting and nerve wracking time in my life. I am currently looking into finding work, gallery exhibitions, and beginning my pursuit of obtaining a job with Reuters, International News Agency, in New York. From January-May or June I will be in New York, and then, I am taking a leap and have plans to move to Berlin in July. In theory I will aim to work with Reuters, in Berlin, since they have a main location there, and also will be working with Barry Brandon Marketing, Pandr and developing my new official LLC. Haley Varacallo Photography.

Where can everyone connect with you?

Of course you can find me on facebook, I have both a personal and a business page, so find me on both!

And to view my work and connect with me regarding purchases of prints, collaborative projects, commissions, etc. check out my website www.haleyvaracallo.com

Haley Varacallo