Camillo Longo Photography - presented by The Undead Bazaar

I am extremely excited to introduce you to our next featured artist in The Undead Bazaar. This will be the first time a photographer of the undead has been featured on Zombies and Toys. Because, let's face it, finding zombies to photograph isn't the easiest thing to do. But Camillo Longo has found a way.

Currently studying photography at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, Camillo Longo has been photographing for four years. Introducing zombies into his work in 2007, the ZOMBIE shoot became an annual event. "After the success of the first shoot I wanted to keep it going," Camillo explains. "It was so much fun and I didn't feel that my vision was complete. The next year (2008) was amazing, and from then on I decided to do one every single year. Not only are they fun, but they have me thinking of new concepts to keep me on my toes."


Do you collaborate with others for your photography or do you take care of costume and makeup effects as well?
"Yes, I work with a local studio called FX Masters who do my makeup, and Dapper Cadaver supplies the props."

Walk us through one of your photoshoots.
"The shoots always start with a couple sketches of the set, and then I move into planning out the budget. I never change an idea or concept because of budget, I always work around the finical aspect no matter what- I never want a lack of funds to stop me from making my vision come to life.

After that I work on casting. Models usually can't just look the part, they need to act as well. From there, I gather supplies and materials to begin constructing whatever is needed to finalize the set. Most are surprised to find out that all of my sets are hand built, even the tree branches are hand placed. Nothing is photoshopped- If I need 100 butterflies, then I'm buying and stringing up 100 butterflies. The "ZOMBIE 2009" set was on top of a 30ft wooden stage and was 4ft high. That's how I got zombies coming from the ground, and then I just added sod and tombstones to create a graveyard. It took me over a month to construct it all."

As odd as it sounds, your images are vivid yet muted at the same time. Is it just my inexperienced eye or is there a particular name or process to this style?
"I'm not sure where the style originated from. It's something I created and stuck with because it works so well aiding the stories within the photos."

What other types of photography do you do?
"I mainly shoot digitally, but I also work in other formats including film. I shoot with anything from 35mm to 4x5 view cameras. I love to spend time in the darkroom. I even have an extensive collection of photos taken with my iPhone when I don't have a camera on me. I shoot just about anything, but my heart is in my more conceptual imagery."

Where does most of your inspiration come from in general?
"Movies, music, poetry, mythology, paintings, photographs, heartache, love, life."

What about zombie inspiration? Any favorite books, movies, or games?
"It's definitely a combination of all three. I don't read as much as I would like to, but I am a big fan of Max Brooks. Any and all zombie movies have a place in my heart. 28 Days Later is one of my favorites, who doesn't love a running zombie? As far as games, I can't keep up with all the new console stuff, but I play a heck of a lot of zombie games for the iPhone."


If you were bitten by a zombie, would you want me to let you change or would you want to be put out of your misery?
"Let me change, then you best run like hell!"

If we were to make a toy of you, would you be a zombie or a survivor? What accessories would you come with?
"A zombie with a camera."

What was your earliest zombie memory?
"When Resident Evil 2 came out I was 10, and my parents didn't want me to play it. Somehow I got a hold of it, and I would wake up in the middle of the night to kill some zombies."

Why zombies?
"Because vampires aren't as awesome."


More of Camillo's photographs can be found on his website, Camillo Longo Photography. There, you can also follow a link to purchase some of his prints. In fact, mention Zombies & Toys when ordering and you will receive a special gift!