There was a man in my life that influenced me in so many ways, one of them I believe to be photography. Not so much the style that I have adopted as my own, but I think the eye to see things that some may walk past.
His name was James Vincent Antizzo, and except for the DNA that ran through our blood, he was my father. He worked as a public relations photographer for many years and I rarely remember him, in those early days, without a camera in hand. I have hundreds, no probably thousands, of photos of myself as a young child. But this post is not so much a walk down memory lane, or sharing a part of myself, it is intended to be a way to share some of his work and hopefully not be forgotten. I googled his name last night and not a single image of his appeared…that disturbed me. In an age when just about anything googled (or binged) comes back with something… why not an image taken by Jim?… or as he later became known “Pop Pop”
He worked his magic both in a studio, which is how he met my mom…but that’s a story for another time, but mostly at JFK airport which at the time was called Idlewild Airport. He was the staff photographer for TWA airlines. In the old days, newspapers always ran a lot of “human interest” stories. And photo’s of celebrities and dignitaries would make the paper and hence free advertisement. Jim always managed to get the TWA logo into the photo! Here is an example, this is Casey Stangel and his wife Edna….notice the TWA ticket holder in the second ladies bag and while it has been cut out of this photo, Edna has a TWA travel bag on her shoulder š Sneaky huh???
Here is another of actress Inger Stevens…and by the way that is me next to her š
At one time I had boxes filled with his images, over the years and many moves so many of them were lost. I’m sorry now that I did not take better care to preserve them. This is a photo of Jim, probably in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s, I believe this is a self portrait.
I remember hanging out at the airport on vacations from school and Saturdays when he would have to work…times were different and I pretty much explored and wandered unfettered. Just about every airport worker knew me and I’d usually snag lunch and snacks š Jim, whenever he could, would get me in the photos…I think he enjoyed shooting me more than the celeb’s! One more for today, although you can’t see my face I am the little girl in the snow suit greeting President and Mrs.Truman as they walked down the steps of the plane. Yes, life was a bit different back then, imagine just about anyone being able to walk up to a former president and not be tackled to the ground.
OK, I really do have to share this little tidbit. When Jim got the assignment to shoot (with the camera) the former president we went out a bought a bouquet of flowers. He posted me at the bottom of the steps and I was to hand them to Mrs. Truman and he would take the shot. Well, they both descended the steps and walked right past me. Jim made them go back up the steps and come back down and this time acknowledge me and accept the flowers!!! He did get a great shot, but I’ve lost it š¦ Like I said earlier, times were certainly different!
judysblogsite.com 
Oh Judy! That is so very fabulous! I’m so sorry you’ve lost some of the photos but am thrilled to know you still have some! Such treasures!
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Robin, So foolish we are in youth that we do not care for the little things that eventually mean so much to us! And yes thankfully I have some wonderful treasures…more to come in Part II š
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I am in awe! You have so much history in these precious photographs. How wonderful that your love of photography came from your father and this is a wonderful tribute to him.
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Thanks Sherri, as we grow older these kinds of things become so precious!
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What great photos and stories to go with. You are a celebrity too!
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Thanks Carol, I had fun reminiscing. š As for celebrityhood… child star only LOL
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I am touched by your little story. I grew up in queens and knew the airports well before the jet age.
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Judy the photos are wonderful and all the notes about Jim were very touching.
Judy Antizzo Mancuso
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JIM ,MY FATHER JOE ,,AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER TAKING PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES
I HAVE A BUNCH FROM THE 1ST GRADE WHEN I WAS DRESSED UP AS GEORGE WASHINGTON FOR A SCHOOL PLAY
I ALWAYS LOVED MY UNCLE JIM HE WAS SO KIND TO ME AS A CHILD AND TO MY CHILDREN GLENN AND LYNN WHEN THEY CAME ALONG JOHN ANTIZZO
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I remember Uncle Jim coming to our house in NJ. And yes he was always taking pictures. I spent some time with him in the summer and would always be intrigued by his stories of his trips to Maine and of the celebrities at the airport. I remember him telling me how all these handicapped kids were waiting for Red Skelliton to get off a plane one night and Red ran right past all the kids sitting there waiting, so Uncle Jim went inside the terminal and got him to come back out and pose with the kids. I can still remember standing in our driveway and waving at Uncle Jim as he arrived in his little red Karman Giha VW ! I can also remember being in my fathers dark room developing black and white pictures with him and Uncle Jim.
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Judy, I was just showing some of my photo collection this evening. I still cherish the images you gave me. I will never forget visiting with Jim in the Veterans Home on Long Island. I just now Googled his name our of curiosity and found your site I am responding to at this time. What a nice surprise. Maybe you still have my phone number here in Ann Arbor MI.
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John what a surprise and thrill to hear from you. I am glad that my mission to get Jim’s name out on the web has worked! How are you? I am so very happy that you still enjoy his work! Please email me at judylindo@outlook.com. I would love to keep in touch with you!
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