Libero Antonio Di Zinno
Studied at ArtCenter College of Design
Worked at Nike
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About Libero Antonio
Adventurer / Visual Storyteller / Wisdom Seeker / Philosopher / Humanitarian My personal bio should read like the opening line in Dicken's David Copperfield: ""Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show" In all humility the big idea for me - was always to do as Joseph Cambell tells us: "Follow your bliss!" So I've spent most of my 30+ year career traveling the world doing just that as an academic and on assignment as a photojournalist in over 88 countries getting as close to everything that facinated me from subjects as diverse as the Dalai Lama to Air Jordan. Looking back on it now means that if you were to look at a body of my work in any exhibit or collection you would know more about me and my sensibilities than I could tell you in words. When students come to me at the college level and express in all sincerity that they 'really don't know' what they want to do with their lives and careers - we have an exercise to solve that problem. It relates to my own past where I was in the business of pleasing other people and denying my own passions when I had to drop out of school one semester shy of a degree in psychology, if only to act out of rebellion to go on and eventually do the thing that was my first love - Photography. You see I had to throw off this character defect of people pleasing in order to get in touch with my own core values. This is perhaps something universal and human depending upon the circumstances of your upbringing. For me it was a matter of liberation to find what I loved and pursue it to the maximum. All great teachers liberate. Let's GO! Tony Di Zinno E.S., Professor Emeritus / Coach
Why do I coach?
I coach for intensely personal reasons. The heart of the matter for me stems from a serious debt of gratitude to my own greatest teachers. During one of my long term passion project in the Black Hills of South Dakota with the Great Sioux Nation, I was privileged to witness the medicine man of the Oglala Sioux, a Lakota Tribe, the venerable tribal elder, Leonard Small Fingers would begin every important occasion with prayers, ritual and music. Memorably he recited for us in English, that while we all know of the five senses, some of us are aware of the sixth sense - the women's sense of intuition. But even fewer he pointed out are aware of the SEVENTH sense - that of returning the great lessons to the next generation so as to touch the future with our wisdom, strength and experience. As the Native Americans work in circles... This is a poetic full circle kind of wisdom. This stayed with me since that time. Think of a favorite teacher of your own. Why were they outstanding to you? Was it a rare kindness, or some show of generosity? Speaking for myself I am indebted to my own greatest teachers who took an interest in me and my potential long before I had any body of work to show evidence of my talents. Yet they believed in me - and invested in me. This is why I teach, coach and mentor my young jedis. It is a life long debt of gratitude that I am paying forward. Like the proverb says, Men only become a man in full when they are planting the trees of which they know they shall never live to see the shade of.
Work Experience
Documentary Fellow / Photography / Field Research
Studio D Radiodurans Big PAMIR II expedition
June 2019 - August 2019
STUDIO D : We use human centered design, remote sensing, prototyping, rapid calibration and many other established and experimental techniques to document and decipher human motivation. Our projects impact strategy, design, public policy, community engagement, partnership models and brands. Over the summer of 2019 Big Pamir II documentary fellow, we produced a grand traverse of an expedition with an international team along the Pamir mountain range from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, to Khorog, Tajikistan, returning via the Wakhan Valley, bordering Afghanistan.. We experienced the Wakhan Corridor range with high altitudes, dubious border crossings, fascinating cultures in some of the world's most remote communities. The expedition included a high altitude acclimatization trek to Engels Peak base camp, and a three day high-altitude trek to Zorkul Lake, on the the Tajikistan / Afghanistan border. The fellowship covered accommodation, transport, food, fixer and trekking guides. The content will be used to help us and others understand expedition dynamics and we plan to make a printed book from these, and other assets in the tradition of STUDIO D’s humble rep world wide as a van guarde of defining these spaces.
Keynote Speaker / Inspirational
Adidas
May 2018 - May 2019
adidas Futures teams, PORTLAND, OR CURRICULUM VITAE: a more detailed history I was honored to be asked to visit as an inspirational speaker for the FUTURES design team retreat by sharing my creative process in terms of my director’s treatment in house at the Spring 2018 adidas of the IMAX film [in development] for a rally race on the Silk Road from Moscow to Beijing with the working title of The Silk Way. Covering the history, culture and influence on history as a presentation to the top 100 of the brands best sports scientists, bio-mechanical engineers and graphic designers on finding inspiration through deep research, developing a narrative and planning a production. Trained as an image maker who moved into motion and documentary we touched upon the grand traditions paying respect to venerable teachers and the embracing this critical influence on our own artistic development based on a model of apprenticeship in the pursuit of mastery.
Director of Photography / Drone Cam Op
Wild Rabbit Productions LLC
January 2018 - January 2023
As part of a three man team in aerial cinematography is primarily flying with the Wild Rabbit with a PIC, (pilot in control), myself as cam op and an AC (assistant camera) on sUAS small aircraft like the Inspire 2's, and heavy lifters like the Alta 6's and 8's my role as camera operator is the framing, tracking and picture elements. This kind of collaboration requires intimate communication between team members, precise high energy dynamic action sequences of choreography and of course the ability to deliver the shot while flying within the legal limits and keeping everyone involved safe. Most recently we captured a high risk one take shot from outside the Staples Center above the arena where the Los Angeles Lakers play basketball and in one continuous move fly from a birds eye point of view above the arena down to the street level where we thread the needle through the doors and into the hall just to open to the inside when the big screen shows Kobe Bryant jumping up on the referees table. NOTE: we got it on the first take.
Adjunct Professor
Mount Saint Mary's University
July 2017 - Present
Co-teaching with Andrew D. Bernstein the NBA photographer who last year was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on a specialized class we wrote on the Culture of Sport with undergraduate photographers and grad film directors. Additional classes include Story Telling, Visual Narrative, and Aerial Cinematography, the first drone class at MSMU based upon the FAA 107 UAS study guide. Most importantly is the class on Photojournalism where we build upon a foundation of the history of the 'Concerned Photographer' as coined by the founders of the Magnum Photo agency with such luminaries as Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson. As we move into the modern era we embrace the ethos of the VII agency of conflict photographers to better understand the role of witnessing history faithfully and in the service of the under-represented. The course touches upon contemporary issues where students can choose their own subject matter for a personal body of work to be developed over the course of a semester. Finally, we are honored to have as guest speakers award winning Photojournalists like Don Bartletti, a two time Pulitzer Prize winner whose work on immigration have helped illustrate the humanity behind the politics.
Documentary Fellow / DP
Endangered Activism
May 2017 - August 2019
Interviewer
Endangered Activism, Namibia / Botswana As both DP and a cameraman for a short documentary film project shot in Africa + Asia producing episodic series of chapters to inspire a cascading effect of youth based conservation work and protection of species and habitats through storytelling and imagery. Endangered Activism takes a young, passionate defender of wildlife, Devon Galpin-Clarke on a journey around the world through her year of home-schooling abroad. There we interviewed the expert researchers in each field, learned how to understand and preserve the most vulnerable of animals, preserve wild habitats and share those stories through a fresh young voice to inspire the next generation of wildlife activists. Endangered Activism looks to bridge the gap between the adventurers of today and the leaders of tomorrow with a multi-media platform involving the launch of a new graphic novel, The Rosette: as well as street art campaigns and social media. https://endangeredactivism.org/
MasterClass in Photography
Idube Photo Safaris
April 2017 - April 2018
Based upon our previous work on Endangered Species we were invited to be a special visiting guest lecturer / photographer for the Idube Safari Photo workshops on location at the Mashatu lodge in Botswana. Responsibilities included going out daily in the field with the clients in multiple 4x4’s with certified guides and trackers for daytime excursions to spot, track and photograph the big cats, (ie., Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs etc.,). Upon return we regrouped in the evening for post -production editing sessions, best practices work-flow, treatment of the Images, and an aesthetic review of the work with constructive critique applied when needed. In addition to the stills we also offered tuition and guidance on capturing the animals on video with a special attention to the hunting behavioral aspects of predators.
Master Class in Storytelling
UC Santa Barbara
March 2017 - July 2017
We were presented the Ernest Brooks Grant award to teach Visual Storytelling at UCSB for their Grad and Undergrad students. This award recognizes outstanding instructors for a Master Class workshop that would not be a regular part of the curriculum but an exception for students to participate in an accelerated environment. Learning outcomes included consultations on thesis projects and college application letters with the ambition of securing acceptance at the first school of their chose for grad programs etc., Brooks Institute of Photography, SANTA BARBARA, CA Upon invitation from the Chair of the Photography department we were asked to perform as a panel member for a Capstone portfolio review for the outgoing class of graduates. Additionally, we were visiting to share our work and career path in terms of discussing real world business lessons one can share from the outside by bringing the experience into the classroom.
Sabatical : Field Research
Mount Saint Mary's University
January 2016 - Present
On my sabatical I was looking to add to my experience as an Equine Specialist, I sought out REINS because of their stellar reputation for hippotherapy where clients are engaged in riding for both occupational thereapy and mental health. We lost my youngest brother Nick to a very brave year long battle with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. It changed the shape of our lives. One blessing for me personally looking back, was I had the honor to be at his bedside up until the very end. Before his departure someone quite close to me asked me, "Tony, ... What would you do if you only had six months to live? After meditating and praying on it, ... an answer came back. Working with horses in order to help as others heal from their trauma. In early 2015 I saw healing with horses in a ritual with the Lakota people. in the Black Hills. The True Human Beings made an impression my head and heart that I shall never forget. For the last six years I have volunteered and worked as both a barn hand and a groom at several non-profits who rescue horses. This led to my love affair with these magnificent creatures - especially the Mustangs who are so adept at connecting. The highest form of training in Equine Assisted Learning is known as EAGALA certification. There is a course being offered this May 2026, at the REINS | 501(c)(3) non-profit Therapeutic Riding Program where I have recently been initiated as a new volunteer.
Co-Director of Photography team
Special Olympics
February 2015 - August 2015
Hiring Manager
Special Olympics: The World Games, LOS ANGELES, CA The SOI (Special Olympics international) VP of communications Steve Van der Poole, Andrew D. Bernstein and myself to recruited, directed and managed the photography team for the WORLD GAMES in Los Angeles, CA in July of 2015. Selecting more than 20 of the most eligible candidates from The Art Center College of Design and The Brooks Institute of Photography we managed to cover 7000 athletes from 177 countries competing in 27 sporting events over 15 days of opening and closing ceremonies and the competition.
Director of Photography
SHERPA HOUSE
May 2014 - October 2026
Interviewer
Sherpa House Media, SAMSARA PRODUCTIONS / VENICE, CA As a global sports photographer turned director of this band young jedi filmmakers, with whom we are building a tradition of apprenticeship through mentoring. Our reputation is based upon an affinity to produce rugged action sequences in remote locations. This cohort started together producing a series of short docs as webisodes on Toyota’s RAV rally racing series leading to a directing a VFX intensive spot for the ad agency Saatchi for Toyota Trucks. The illustrating of poetic action without losing the human touch is the method to our madness. This is a boutique shop galvanized by a ‘baptism by fire’ of working on location around the world. We are made up of watermen, rock climbers and aviation geeks. The brand name itself SHERPA HOUSE suggests the core value of a relentless work ethic and a sincere humility in the service of others. Perhaps most importantly, there is an indication of a serious addiction to joy. This is a bond defined by a lifelong dedication to the pursuit of authentic stories including the sacred and profane with excursions into the exotic arenas of everything from Bullfighting to Buddhism.
Documentary Fellow
IDEO
February 2014 - August 2015
FIELD RESEARCH The Rockefeller Foundation in AFRICA + ASIA Here we were assigned to work with a small team of designers on the humanitarian discovery trip the book and photo exhibit: “Through the Human Lens”. Offering tuition on photography for our designers empowered the team to multiply the ability to produce environmental portraits. In the field we met local NGO’s, interview workers to compare + contrast first world and third world situations to better understand how the urban working poor in the developing world view their health care and access to treatment. We wanted to understand not only the constraints people face in making choices about health and wellness, but also how the assets of this population could be used to design more effective interventions. The IDEO.org team spent several weeks in each location visiting cities across Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including Bangkok, Manila, Durban, and Nairobi, and met with individuals in their homes, workplaces, and community spaces, such as markets and places of worship. The resulting work produced a both a book and an exhibit to illustrate the human condition in these places and put a human face on a decision-making process.
Documentary Fellow / Photography / Advisory Board Member
Mountain2Mountain
May 2007 - December 2012
Mountain to Mountain / KABUL, AFGHANISTAN Initially as photographer and then advisory board member to Mountain to Mountain, [a 501c3 non- profit] our work was focused mainly in Central Asia and other conflict regions to give voice to women and create education and opportunity for girls to be agents of change within their communities and cultures. We also co-produced the first public art group exhibit of both Western and Afghan artists in the post-Taliban era in Afghanistan. The traveling exhibit, the Streets of Afghanistan is now preserved on record in a book by Shannon Galpin and Libero Di Zinno.
Expedition Photographer
IMG
February 2002 - August 2005
Admissions Committee
Outdoor Quest, HONG KONG, HK Hired by IMG and Ogilvy & Mather as one of a team of five internationally preeiminent photographers to collaborate on the Mild Seven Outdoor Quest adventure races held in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. Our responsibilities ran the gamut from planning the camera teams placement during an extensive 5-day 300-mile reconnaissance (employing topo maps) and delivering images on multiple edits for web, daily news feeds (Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia) and PR for release on deadline with editorial and advertising edits as a function of digital workflow and all postproduction responsibilities.
Photojournalist / Expedition Photographer
RAID GAULOISES ADVENTURE RACING
March 1994 - September 2002
The Raid Gauloises, PARIS, FRANCE Widely referred to as the off-road Olympics from hell, the Raid Gauloises is better known as the ‘Toughest Race On Earth’. This global multi-sport team endurance event is a type of expedition competition better known as Adventure Racing. This event usually run in a far corner of the world is made up of co-ed teams of five and preceded SURVIVOR as the original reality TV event by way of a fascinating reveal of true colors and character conflicts when the going gets epic. Typical races run non-stop for days on end with no sleep for hundreds of miles to a prescribed race course where competitors navigate to checkpoints with only map and compass. Disciplines often include running, trekking, biking, fjording, spelunking, abseiling, alpinism, paddling and on occasion canyoneering, traversing glaciers and desert crossings – sometimes all in the same race! As a photojournalist I have covered this sport in places as far away as Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Borneo, British Colombia, China, Ecuador, Greenland, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Patagonia, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland and Tibet.
Propagandista
Nike
May 1991 - September 2017
Nike Inc., BEAVERTON, OR Early on in my career I had the privilege of stepping into the world of sport propaganda by producing portrait and action based posters, print ads, and lifestyle collections, for Nike Design and their agency Wieden & Kennedy, the top tier Nike athletes, i.e., Bo Jackson, Lance, Armstrong, Andre Agassi, Ken Griffey jr., Michael Jordan, Jackie Joyner- Kersee, Gabrielle Reece, Pete Sampras, etc., More than fifty Nike TV spots to add to our credits working as a unit photographer with an A- list of directors; Michael Bay, David Fincher, Spike Jonze, Joe Pytka, Jake Scott, and Spike Lee.
Education
School of Visual Arts
na
2009 - 2009
New York, NY : At the 27th annual National Conference on the Liberal Arts and the education of Artist: Visions of War / the arts represent conflict: Concerned Photographers Roles in Post-Conflict Education. Here we presented our paper on my first person experience as a concerned photographer in Afghanistan. The presentation illustrates and describes our profound collective responsibility to support the re- emergence of civil society in conflict zones through the education of emerging artists and journalists vis-à-vis print, radio and video journalism. Such is the work of the AINA photo agency the first of it’s kind in Afghanistan started by my colleague from National Geographic Reza Delghati.
ArtCenter College of Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA, Photography + Fiilm
1986 - 1989
A decade and more as an associate professor / instructor for Location lighting, Automotive photography, Project Photo Sports, Portfolio development and Co-instructor in the trans-discipline (multiple majors) classes of (Portraiture, Portfolio Development, Car Culture, Moto-Culture, Photo for Non-Profit and Independent Studies. Service includes Curriculum Committee, Scholarship Committee, Faculty Council, Faculty Commons, Sustainability Summit, Serious Play Summit, Student Advisor to ACCD's first Ted-x conference, Teaching the Future symposium, Portraiture of ACCD executive leadership, and acting as the liaison for visiting VIP lecturers. We have also participated on several projects with the DesignMatters department in various projects on international initiatives in compassionate design. Specifically, the first class for non-profit photography which led to showing the best of our students work at the United Nations NGO conference in New York, NY. These opportunities provided me a continuing education as a lifelong learner myself to invest in my own personal body of work as a concerned photographer in projects of ‘Giving Voice’ as an ardent advocate during multiple years of field work on behalf of young women in Afghanistan, The young bloods of the Great Sioux Nation in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Endangered Species.
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Libero Antonio has helped Leland clients get into NFL Films