Michael Ruggiero – Documenting Disappearing Americana

In this episode of the podcast, we revisit an old friend, Michael Ruggiero. Mike’s recent move southward put him within driving distance of Bob so the two met up to record a podcast episode – this time in person!

Mike has always been a prolific street and documentary photographer, thanks mostly to a successful career as a chef that provided him with the time and money to travel and buy plenty of film. In this episode, Bob and Mike talked about how he used his calling to fund his passion and how being a professional chef influenced his photography.

The two also dove into several of Mike’s long term projects, many of which revolve around slices of Americana that are steadily disappearing. One of Mike’s current projects is particularly fascinating. Recently, he’s been visiting small town churches and shooting tiny congregations of just a dozen congregants or so inside their places of worship during church services. He gave Bob the skinny on how he gets permission to be present as a photographer and shoot such intimate moments.

But there’s lots more to this conversation that you won’t want to miss. Listen in to find out how Mike, a lifetime film photographer, adjusted to digital when he was deprived of his darkroom during his recent move, learn about his attempts to become a Magnum photographer, and find out how he met (and was duped by) a very old and feisty Henri Cartier-Bresson. Mike has plenty of stories to tell.

A Selection of Mike’s Street Photos

From Mike’s Trucker Series Portrait of an “Asphalt Cowboy” Mission Beach Park – San Diego, CA 1981 Voyeur – Vienna, Austria 1989 St. Luke’s Church – Charlottesville, Virginia 2022 Worship 10 AM – Palmyra, Virginia 2023 Read Mike’s feature interview in Street Photography Magazine here.

Links from the Show

• Mike’s Website
• Instagram