This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Joseph Iozzo (@joseph_iozzo) hails from Woodbrige, Ontario, Canada, and works as Sales Manager in the school photography industry, creating memories for families, taking annual class photos and graduation photos for students. His hometown is close to Toronto and has a thriving Italian-Canadian community, meaning all things Italian (think bakeries, restaurants, grocery stores and gelaterias, but also fashion and cars) are easily accessible. “On a sunny Sunday—says Joseph—I see more Ferraris here than when I visited Maranello a few years ago.”
What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
My main passions are photography and wristwatches.
I have loved watches since I was a kid. I still have a tiny little Timex that was given to me for my 9th birthday. I have been obsessed ever since. While I find watch collecting to be fun, I have made it a rule to sell one (or two) before buying any more. This helps me to keep the collection under control and forces me to second-guess getting rid of a watch that I actually like, in order to buy a new watch that is simply a flavour of the day. I believe that if you are truly a “watch guy”, you collect based only on what you like, not on the opinions of others: this is why I only buy watches that I consider beautiful, or unique, or quirky, or whatever. I know what I like when I see it.
My biggest passion, however, is photography. It started in high school: back then, I thought that being a fashion photographer would be a great way to meet girls. I took lots of nice photos, but didn’t get many dates, yet my love affair with photography continued. I went on to study photography at Ryerson University. I later made a living as a freelance photographer, shooting any jobs I could get to pay the bills, including weddings, events, and some work as an industrial photographer. I later taught photography at Seneca college, where I was able to share my knowledge with graphic design students.
Later on in life, as I started working in a job where I wasn’t taking pictures for a living, I rediscovered a genuine passion for photography. I now take pictures purely for fun, and I really enjoy doing it. I don’t worry about people liking my work. I don’t have to please any client, or anybody. That freedom is what makes it very enjoyable. Any time I have a chance, I like to explore areas of the city that I’m not very familiar with. I will take the subway to a random stop, get out and walk and see what photos I can find. Some days are fruitful, others are not. It’s just like hunting or fishing. There is a meditative quality to it. Even after all these years, I still feel like I’m learning and honing my craft.
How did you first develop an appreciation for style?
I am told by my mother that even as a child I liked to look nice. When I was in high school, around the 11th grade, I started wearing shirts and ties with jeans, because nobody else in my school did that. My ambition in high school was to one day have as many shirts as The Great Gatsby!
What does “being well-dressed” mean to you?
To me, it means dressing with intention. It means that you care about your appearance, and therefore care about yourself. By being well-dressed and looking your best, you show respect for others. When I see a person who is especially well-dressed and “put together”, it is as if they have given me a little gift. It elevates my spirit. I hope to do the same for others. At my workplace, the dress code is business casual. I usually wear nice jeans, but sometimes cotton or wool pants, depending on my mood. I like good quality shirts all year around, but in the winter I’ll pair them with a cashmere sweater. In the summer I often wear polos.
I never get dressed without thinking about the whole look, even if it is a very casual outfit. I have many pairs of glasses, shoes and watches, so also the accessories need to be right. The secret for me is sticking to a controlled colour palette, which makes it relatively easy to get dressed. Most of my clothes are navy blue, black, white, grey or olive. Even when I’m working from home, I still put on a nice cologne. I think you should wear fragrances that you like every day. It’s a small pleasure that makes your life a tiny bit better.
What does your ideal Sunday look like?
It begins with waking up and going to buy freshly baked croissants at one of the bakeries nearby. I bring them back home and make cappuccino and my sons and I will watch a Formula 1 race on TV (when the race is in Europe, we get to see it live at 9:00AM our time). After the race, if I get the chance, I will take a walk with my camera if the light is right, or I might take a drive somewhere with my wife, possibly to visit a winery in Niagara Falls, or to walk by the waterfront in Toronto. For dinner, the ideal Sunday always includes barbecue, preferably charcoal barbecue. I will make a couple of chickens and some sausages and we’ll have a fabulous dinner outside in the back yard.
What’s the first watch you ever owned, and what does it mean to you?
My father passed away when I was very young, and I inherited his Omega that he wore every day. It reminded me of him and so I wore it even when I was a kid. One day, I was wearing it and I decided to go for a bike ride. Of course I fell off my bike and scratched up the watch. Over the years it has been repaired and I recently had it serviced and restored to its former glory. I only wear it on special occasions now and it really makes me think of my dad.
What has been your most memorable or adventurous trip, and what made it so special?
It certainly was when we took our teenage boys to Italy. We spent three weeks travelling from north to south, saw most of the major regions of Italy and then spent a final week in a beach town in Calabria (where our ancestors are from). It was especially great because the boys were old enough to appreciate it. We took them to the Ferrari museum in Maranello, and we took a tour of the Pagani factory to see how supercars are made. Besides the great sights, the food was our biggest pleasure. Everything from a simple beach-side sandwich hut to a gourmet restaurant on the Amalfi Coast offered a food experience that we’ll never forget. Did I mention that food is one of my passions too?
What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
It has been the 5 years I worked as an industrial photographer for the Toronto Transit Commission. I photographed everything related to subways, buses and streetcars. I love trains, so this was a really cool job for me. I got to walk in the subway tunnels in the middle of the night when the trains weren’t running. I photographed in bus and streetcar service garages. I took pictures of vehicles that were in accidents. I photographed the construction of a new subway line. I met so many people. I took portraits of every employee who was retiring. I have some great memories of my time there.
If you have made a significant career change, can you describe it? What motivated that decision?
After the birth of our second child, I decided that the uncertainty of freelance life was not conducive to family living. I was working all kinds of crazy hours, never knowing where my next paycheck would come from. That’s when I connected with my current employer, which was still a startup at the time. Taking a job with regular hours and regular pay made it easier to raise a family and plan for the future. I’ve been there for 20 years now. When you have kids, your focus changes: everything becomes much more serious and real. I don’t regret it in any way. I did it for my family, and the school photography industry has served me well. I’m happy that I can still follow my passions, while having made a nice living for my family.
What are your three favorite brands?
Leica is a 100 year old camera brand that is synonymous with quality. It amazes me that this company has endured for so many years by simply sticking to its core idea of creating the best possible quality lenses and cameras. It is an iconic brand that I love. So many great photographers over the past century have used a Leica.
Oris is another brand with over a century of history. They make beautiful mechanical watches., and after so many years in business they are still an independent company. They are creative, their designs are fun and they’re not afraid to put out something a little different. Every time they release something new, I go to my dealer to have a look. My Oris Aquis Cherry makes me smile every time I wear it.
And finally, Volkswagen. My first car was a Volkswagen Fox. It was very basic; truly a people’s car. After that I bought a Golf, and have owned various other models over the years. Today I still drive VW’s and so do my sons. One of the most appealing things about the brand is that Volkswagen owners are part of a community. When I go to my dealership, I feel like I’m at home. Every year in a park near me, there is a festival called VagKraft. It is an annual outdoor picnic for VW owners, and many people bring their old modified cars. Everyone is friendly and loves to talk about their vehicle. The first time I went to VagKraft I thought “These are my people”.
What are your three favorite restaurants/cocktail bars?
My absolute favourite cocktail bar is The Writer’s Room, on the rooftop of the Park Hyatt Toronto. It has a great view of the city, and has a wonderful vibe and a great crowd.
Then there is a pub in Toronto called The Commoner. I love it because it is in a part of the city where you wouldn’t expect to find such a cool place. The decor is from the 1940’s and through the big picture windows, you’ll see a streetcar pass by every few minutes. They have a great selection of beer and a really good burger.
Finally, near my home in Woodbridge, there’s a restaurant called Nascosto. It has the perfect name because it’s hidden away, but when you find it, you’ll find excellent Italian food in a beautiful setting. I highly recommend it.
