Like an insatiable moth, I've been a light chaser for many years. I love photography for its science, craft, art, and power to expand our vision. But most of all as a tool that enables us to see and share novel perspectives, informing stories that evoke feelings of awe, empathy, and community with the world around us.
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” — Dorothea Lange
Biography
Charles Versaggi is a native San Franciscan of Italian heritage, who now lives in San Rafael. Earning a doctorate in marine biology, he learned to appreciate the wonders of nature both under and above the water — often with camera in tow. A mass-media science fellowship writing for the Milwaukee Journal paved the way to science writing, life science communications, and photojournalism. He has participated in juried group photo exhibitions and has published numerous articles and photoessays. He is currently working on North Beach Stories, a collection of photoessays that reflect on his early years of living in North Beach when it was the City’s “Italianita” and the center of Beat lifestyle, topless bars, and jazz clubs, leading to flower power and the Summer of Love.
Current Project
Light as a Feather is a juried exhibition of bird photography that celebrates April as the 49th Anniversary of Earth Month. Sponsored by the Mill Valley Arts Commission, First Tuesday Art Walk, and running through the month of April, the exhibit highlights the variety of birds and their habitats that make Marin County a special place for enjoying the aesthetics of nature. 10 a.m. to noon, 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Mill Valley City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Ave.
Photoessays (click titles to read)
One Degree of Separation and a Bicycle (North Beach Stories) Medium 2018
Dignity Honor and Respect: A Spirit's Last Journey with Green Street Mortuary Marching Band (North Beach Stories) The Bold Italic 2018
The Lion Sleeps Tonight — A Dawn Walk Through SF's Night Club District The Bold Italic (North Beach Stories) 2018
March for Our Lives — Camera As a Tool for Social Change The Image Flow Blog 2018
Exhibitions
2019 Two-person Photo Exhibit — Light as a Feather, Mill Valley Arts Commission
2019 Group Show, The Image Flow, Mill Valley, CA
2018 Two group Shows, The Image Flow, Mill Valley, CA
2018 Group Show and Competition, Structures, Mill Valley Arts Commission Click-Off
Recent Press
Passion for birds takes flight for San Rafael photographer, Marin IJ, April 3, 2019
Bird photos surround council members at Mill Valley City Hall, San Francisco Chronicle, April 4, 2019
Photos and Essays ©Charles Versaggi 2019
To commission a project, purchase a print, license an image or for more info:
CONTACT: 415/806-6039 charlesversaggi[at]me.com
Instagram: charlesversaggi
