Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself
HI, I AM CARMELA! I like to refer to myself as an intuitive photographer! I believe in creating pictures from the heart rather than the head. I pay attention to feelings and emotions and connections while being mindful of the present moment.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m a mother to three little babes! Sofia, 7, Julia ,4 and Massimo 3! I’ve been married to my husband Sal for 11 years! We met over in Italy when we were 16!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
With my current photography job my why’s run deep but what I love about photography sessions is that we’re just being present and living in the moment, not worrying about keeping up appearances. In fifty years, when you look back on your photos, I want you to remember exactly what it felt like the day you said, “I do”, or the day you brought life into the world and your child was placed on your chest for the first time. I want to freeze all these moments for you so you can look back at them and see the incredible legacy you’ve built, instead of any negative emotions you may have attached to having your picture taken. My job is not to make you beautiful–it’s to show you how beautiful you already are. When it comes to the pizza place the feeling is very much the same! We are a small business that Sal and I both run and take great pride in. We are OBSESSED with our community and our customers. We have built such a tight bond with our regulars and strive to make sure everyone feels like family.
Q: Please tell us a bit about your business.
In addition to photography, we have a brick oven pizza place in Newtown called Auqua y Farina. It’s a very tradition brick oven pizza place.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We love KO, Oishi and Gurus in Newtown! We also have been loving Ardana’s! Our kids love Iron Hill!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since w 2009
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Pasquale Palino. Disregard the fact he’s my father but his love for our community and the care he has to make sure people feel loved with just food is extremely inspiring and has paved the way for us.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Italy. Always and forever! It’s the motherland!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Bridesmaid’s hands down. Breaking bad, dexter, game of thrones. Any of the real housewives on bravo
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never give up. Never stop. Be present and love hard
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Van life in Europe
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Spice girls 🤣
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Lizzie because her body positive movement is so important and something I strongly believe in
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love how we are so close to so many different things. From parks, beach or city life
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Manifesting a life that will allow Sal and I to be more present in our children’s life. Both the restaurant and photography def keeps us busy to make sure we provide the best life for the kids, but we want more time with them
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends of family may not know about you?
I’m obsessed with reading funny Amazon reviews 🤣
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Napoli, Italy
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
November, thanksgiving and Mondays because that’s when sal’s day off is and seeing my kids light up when his home is everything
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A good spicy margarita
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My dad. He inspires me in so many ways. From being the mother I am today to the business owner. He has taught me so many small things in life that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Fresh baked cookies
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
My kids, tight hugs, chocolate chip cookies
Q: Where can people find you and your business?
