Bio
Long gone are the days when Astor used to sneak his mother's 110 camera into rock concerts like Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and Stryper. Like many teenagers, his walls were covered with posters and pictures from magazines and album covers. After living in Los Angeles and Milan, Astor settled in L.A. working with and befriending many of the photographers whose images graced his walls as a teenager, like Neal Preston, Danny Clinch, Ana Marie Desanto, and Neil Zlozower.
Leaving that 110 camera behind but, with the same passion, Astor has been working in the photo industry for 20 years. Astor’s appreciation of the visual arts was born while growing up between the two colorful cultures of southern Louisiana and Sicily, Italy. Astor's images have been published worldwide and used in multi media, i.e. magazine covers, advertising campaigns, featured in films, on television and online marketing. He has had the pleasure of working with an array of legendary artists, actors, and musicians. A dream come true for that teenager with rock posters on his walls, Astor shot at Ozzy and Sharon's wedding as seen on MTV and published in People Magazine.
Astor has often been referred to as an 'intimate portrait photographer,' because of the at ease feeling in his celebrity work. Astor has a talent for making everyone around him feel comfortable from subject, to client and crew. Astor's genuine interest in people and the stories they hold, gives him the ability to relate to, and connect with, all he encounters.
Astor is heavily involved in the global photo community having represented commercial and fine art photographers in the American Photographic Artists LA Board of Directors, the American Society of Media Photographers LA Board of Directors, the Advisory Board at Santa Monica College and, even as Chairman of the Los Angeles Board of the American Photographic Artists from November 2009 to October 2011.
Astor has helped to educate and inspire other photographers through workshops and seminars while promoting ethics in the photo community. Astor has led and instructed workshops, seminars and classes dealing with everything from lighting and assisting to business and marketing. Astor created the Photo Assistant Workshop for ASMP and APA Los Angeles chapters. APA has taken this Photo Assistant Workshop format and are offering the workshop across the country. Astor has been a regular instructor volunteering for the Lucie Foundation’s SnapShop! program teaching photography to underprivileged high school students. Astor jumps at the opportunity when called upon to bring workshop ideas to life with Julia Dean Photo Workshops, and Los Angeles Center of Photography. Astor, for the love of it, also offers a workshop in Sicily once a year.
Astor has a philanthropic spirit. As a volunteer and through print donations, Astor’s work has helped to raise money and awareness for several deserving organizations such as City of Hope, The Pediatric Aids Foundation, Amnesty International, The Aftermath Project, weSpark, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Compassionate Eye Foundation, Lucie Foundation's SnapShop! program, and many other educational institutions. Astor has also curated several exhibits for charity including Eye Spy With My Plastic Eye featuring images created with lowfi and plastic cameras.
Astor is a multi-award winning advertising and fine art photographer. Astor’s images have received awards from The International Photography Awards and, The American Graphic Design Awards.
Either at work or at play, rarely being found without a camera, Astor lives by his favorite Herman Leonard quote, “Shoot your ass off!”