In an age where digital photography reigns supreme, José Picayo makes no apologies for his commitment to Polaroid film. “Digital is so overpoweringly real,” he told Musée magazine. “Photography is more magical to me.” With Polaroid film, Picayo explains he can capture his evocative portraits, still-lifes and landscapes “as they are — a moment in time.”
Born in 1959 in Havana, Picayo left Cuba with his family in 1966, moving to Puerto Rico. In 1975, they settled in Kent, Ohio, where he completed high school and attended Kent State University for two years. By 1981, Picayo moved to New York City and graduated with a BFA from Parsons School of Design in 1983.
For the next few years, Picayo assisted several photographers before he began his career as a commercial photographer in 1987. During this time, he worked for several publications, including Italian magazines Sassy, Taxi and Connoisseur. Picayo also moonlighted as a teacher during the 1990s, teaching photography at his alma mater and Manhattan’s International Center of Photography.
Despite the introduction of digital photography in the late 20th century, Picayo has remained loyal to film photography, preferring to shoot with Polaroid film. The 8 x 10 images are then printed on Japanese paper, which lends visual texture and a timeworn quality to his black and white and color photos. While he is well known for his fashion photography, Picayo credits several influential photographers for their impact on his creative works. These include Eugène Atget, Edward S. Curtis, Michael Disfarmer, Walker Evans and Torkil Gudnason.
Picayo has exhibited extensively in both solo and group shows throughout the US, including the Robin Rice Gallery in New York City and the Erie Art Museum in Pennsylvania. His works have appeared in numerous publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, L.A. Style, the New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Rolling Stone and more.
Find authentic José Picayo photography on 1stDibs.
"Untitled (Boys on Shoulders)", New York, NY, 1995
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to announce, 25 Years of Polaroids, a new exhibit by Jose ...
Photographic Paper
"Detour Magazine, Teresa Feathers", New York, NY, 1991
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. Framing is available . 11" X 14" Edition of 25. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to annou...
Photographic Paper
"Tortoise", Joshua Tree, California, 2005
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
This photograph is printed on Japanese Paper. The price is for an unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery is pleased to announce, 25 Years of Polaroids, a new exhibit by Jose ...
Photographic Paper
Price Upon Request
Domino Magazine - Necklace, New York, NY, 1988
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
Each year, Robin Rice celebrates a Salon style exhibition to showcase her gallery artists and invite new ones. With Robin’s extensive experience as a gallery curator, all Robin Rice...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Domino Magazine, Necklace, New York, NY, 1988
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
The Robin Rice Gallery proudly announces SUMMERTIME Salon 2019, an annual photography exhibit featuring gallery artists as well as a few newcomers. This year’s opening reception will be held on Wednesday, July 17th from 6pm - 8 PM, the show will be on view until September 22, 2019. Rice has brought together the works of 60 gallery artists and nearly a hundred photographs for this salon-style exhibition. From floor to ceiling, the walls of the gallery are a mosaic of various size photographs in sepia, color and black & white, expertly hung to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. “This is my favorite exhibition even though it takes months to curate and a week to install,” says Rice. “I love the moment when a viewer is first drawn to an image. Sometimes in’s indefinable; a moment when the viewer not only shares but reconnects to an experience remembered.” Each year, the Summertime Salon matures and Rice’s annual masterpiece is revealed to showcase an exhibition stronger than the year before. Rice has a close relationship with the works of her photographers, and strategically curates the show to best exemplify the artists’ strengths, remaining cohesively linked by Rice’s aesthetic. fashion, women, jewelry, portrait...
Digital Pigment
Price Upon Request
Derek #1
By Jose Picayo
Located in Hudson, NY
Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition 1 of 25. If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is p...
Silver Gelatin
$2,145
H 20 in W 24 in D 0.1 in
Lobster Girl, Fright Nights, West Palm Beach - Horror Show Florida Photography
By Rachel Louise Brown
Located in Brighton, GB
"Lobster Girl. Fright Nights, West Palm Beach. 2017" is a Dye Sublimation Print on Aluminium. This print is available from an Edition of 10 + 2 Artis...
Dye, Photographic Paper, Color, Dye Transfer
'Verbier Vacation' 1964 (Slim Aarons Estate Edition)
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'Verbier Vacation' Skiiers soak up the sun in Verbier, 1964. Gorgeous print measuring 30 x 30" inches / ca 76 x 76 cm's. Estate Stamped Collection Edition to 150 Photo by Slim ...
Archival Pigment
Nelson Mandela - Photo - 1990s
Located in Roma, IT
Nelson Mandela is a vintage photograph realized in the 1990s. Good conditions.
Photographic Paper
$3,000
H 20 in W 16 in D 1 in
Two Leopards Spotted, Chicago 1974, Brookfield Zoo, Signed and Framed.
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Street photography was a passion of Art's and it shows in this delightful shot taken at Brookfield Zoo in 1974. The photograph is signed on the bottom right hand corner. It is matted with a heavy white mat and framed in a simple black metal frame. Art Shay Two Leopards...
Silver Gelatin
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"New Moon" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian
By Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"New Moon" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition 2/3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by...
Photographic Paper
$2,100
H 20 in W 30 in
Hamptons Tennis Club 1955 Oversize Limited Signature Stamped Edition
By Toni Frissell
Located in London, GB
The Hamptons 1955 by Toni Frissell Oversize Limited Signature Stamped Edition A scene at a tennis club in The Hamptons USA 1955. 30 x 20" inches / 76 x 51 cm paper size Archival...
Archival Pigment
$1,750
H 31 in W 31 in D 0.1 in
"Look at Me" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian
By Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Look at Me" Black & White Photography 31" x 31" in Ed. of 7 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by th...
Photographic Paper
$2,250
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"Angel" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
By Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Angel" Black & White Photography 39" x 39" in Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by ...
Photographic Paper
$3,000
H 16 in W 20 in
Backyard Olympics - kids playing in the backyard circa 1949, Photo Signed
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Children play and laugh in a backyard with makeshift playgrounds. Lined with a thin black border, framing options available. Art Shay Backyard Olympics silver gelatin print, printed...
Silver Gelatin
$3,000
H 20 in W 24 in
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas 1961, The Rat Pack, Black & White Photo
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Two of the famed Rat Pack are shown here is this playful photograph by Art Shay. Dean Martin carries Frank Sinatra across the stage while the other members enjoy the antics in this ...
Silver Gelatin
Donald J. Trump - Vintage Photograph - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Donald J. Trump- Vintage Photo is a black-and-white photograph, realized by Randy Drouke in the 1980s. Good condition.
Photographic Paper
$2,350
H 39 in W 39 in D 0.1 in
"Equilibrium 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian
By Olha Stepanian
Located in Culver City, CA
"Equilibrium 2" Photography 39" x 39" inch Edition of 3 by Olha Stepanian Printed on Epson Professional Paper Signed and numbered by the artist Comes with COA issued by the arti...
Photographic Paper