Joseph Kellard debuts exhibit at Levittown library

Joseph Kellard, a photographer from East Meadow, will showcase his photography at the Levittown Public Library from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30.

The exhibit, his first, will also be displayed at the East Meadow Library in January. Kellard, a former journalist, began his photography journey alongside his writing career and developed a passion for capturing a variety of subjects.

“I always had an interest in photography since I was a kid,” Kellard said. “My parents bought me a subscription to Sports Illustrated magazine. I was really into sports, and I really liked the photography in that magazine.”

As a teenager, Kellard’s interest grew after discovering copies of Life magazine at a used bookstore. The black-and-white photos left a lasting impression, he noted, and he began exploring photography through library books.

In 2001, Kellard became a reporter for Herald Community Newspapers. Later that year, his sister gifted him a point-and-shoot digital camera. While working as the Oceanside editor, Kellard said he studied freelancers’ photography to gain more experience on how to take good shots.

When he became editor of the Long Beach Herald in 2007, his love for photography deepened.

“Long Beach is a beach town. It’s got different neighborhoods and architecture,” he said. “I started going out with my cheap camera and taking photos.”

After leaving the Herald in 2010, Kellard continued journalism work while photographing the events he covered.

“As a community reporter, you're reporting on so many different things, from fires to sports events to fairs and beach events, so I’ve taken photos of a lot of different things,” he said.

In 2011, Kellard purchased his first DSLR camera, which allowed him to take his photography more seriously. The camera, he said, became a way for him to go outdoors and socialize. He began regularly photographing various locations, including Long Beach and Manhattan, capturing cityscapes, architecture, and outdoor art.

Kellard’s favorite shots from his upcoming exhibit, “Through My Lens: Skyscrapers to Sunrises to Surfers,” include spontaneous moments, such as his photo of the Chrysler Building with a flock of birds flying past.

“I was just walking down 42nd Street to take photos of the Chrysler Building,” he said, “and all of a sudden, these birds just flew.”

In addition to photography, Kellard is working on a book about Leonardo Da Vinci, who he finds inspiring due to his wide-ranging interests.

“The main reason for doing this exhibit is I want to see what the public reaction is to it,” he said. “How much interest people have in my photography, how much they’re willing to buy, and maybe branch out and start selling in parks and fairs.”