By Abby Walton • [email protected]
Turning 40 is a big deal, whether it’s your age or how long you’ve been in business. For Zionsville photographer Tom Casalini, 40 years in business was actually something he was going to let pass by.
“But my friends and family told me I was crazy and needed to celebrate the accomplishment,” he said.
Four decades ago, Casalini turned his dream of opening up his own portrait studio into a reality. “I’ve just always had a passion for portrait work,” he said.
Born and raised in Logansport, Ind., Casalini said even as a kid, he loved getting behind the lens. After getting a fine art degree from Indiana University, Casalini earned a degree in photography from the New York Institute.
“It was around that time I decided to move back to Indiana,” he said. He chose Zionsville as the place to set up shop because he said it was an excellent fit. “I loved the small town feel. It reminded me of where I grew up.”
For the next two decades, Casalini worked in his studio at 10 1/2 North Main St., and did commercial photography for companies like McDonalds and Chevrolet. While he enjoyed the work, eventually he decided to focus on portraits full time.
“I really respect the craft. In order to create a great portrait, you need to talk to the clients and get to know them. My goal has always been to create something for the client that will last a lifetime,” he said. Whether he’s taking pictures of people from Zionsville and surrounding communities, celebrities, or Medal of Honor recipients, Casalini said his client’s trust and respect means a lot to him.
Casalini finally agreed to acknowledge his 40th anniversary with one condition.
“I didn’t want to make this celebration all about me, so I said I wouldn’t do anything unless it had some type of community giveback,” he said. Casalini reached out to the St.Vincent Foundation and together they came up with the idea for a reception that would commemorate his work and help raise money for the St.Vincent House.
“This is a place that, when built, will be used to house families who have children in the NICU as well as pediatric and adult transplant patients,” he said. Giving back to his community and sending beautiful works of art out into the world is what drives Tom Casalini and his business. That’s something to celebrate.
Casalini Portraits • 40th Anniversary celebration • Nov. 1 • Clowes Memorial Hall Grand Lobby • 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. • Tickets: $50 per person or $80 per couple • Hors d’oeuvres and wine • Original artwork by participants in Casalini’s Indiana Artist Series will be auctioned off • All proceeds go to the St.Vincent House
For tickets, go to www.give.stvincent.org/casalini