The Oceanside Library is set to welcome a new photography exhibit by Joe Kellard, a former journalist turned photographer with deep roots in Oceanside. The exhibit, titled Through My Lens: Skyscrapers to Sunrises to Surfers, opens on Feb. 1 and features 32 photographs showcasing scenes from Long Island parks, New York City’s iconic architecture, and international destinations like Italy and Portugal. A reception will take place on Feb. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., inviting the public to meet Kellard and discuss his work.
Kellard’s passion for photography can be traced back to his childhood in Oceanside. Kellard attended Oceanside School Four and as a young boy, his parents subscribed him to Sports Illustrated to help with his dyslexia, sparking a love for the magazine’s dynamic sports photography.
“My reading improved from it because I love sports, but also the photography in the magazine captured me,” Kellard recalled. “The photographers made you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. It really caught my eye.
The early exposure to visual storytelling stayed with him, though it wasn’t until later in life that Kellard fully embraced photography as an art form. Growing up, Kellard explored the artistic treasures of Oceanside and neighboring areas, frequenting the old bookstore Stan’s Book Bin, on Merrick Road near the Oceanside-Rockville Centre border. There, he immersed himself in literature, classical music, and photography books like Life Magazine’s iconic war photography collections. While he didn’t own a camera at the time, his fascination with images grew, laying the foundation for his future career.
Kellard’s journey as a photographer began in earnest in the early 2000s when he worked for local newspapers, including the Oceanside Herald and the Long Beach Herald. Starting as a reporter and later becoming an editor, he developed an eye for photography, inspired by the freelance photographers he collaborated with.
“As a community reporter, you’re reporting a lot of different things, and thus you’re taking photos of a lot of different subjects,” Kellard said.
When Kellard joined Patch in 2010, a digital news platform that emphasized photo and video content, he invested in his first DSLR camera. This marked a turning point, as he began capturing diverse subjects, from beach events in Long Beach to storm damage and architectural styles across the region.
His portfolio expanded further when he left Patch and started Kellard Media, a platform for showcasing his work and offering photography services. Kellard’s style is defined by its diversity, reflecting his journalistic roots.
“As a reporter, I covered everything from parades to construction projects, and that variety carried over into my photography,” he explained. Whether it’s candid street scenes in New York City, serene landscapes, or intricate architectural details, his work captures the essence of his subjects.
A major influence on Kellard’s approach is Leonardo DaVinci, whose multidisciplinary genius inspired him from a young age.
“I was just fascinated by all the different things that he had studied and invented,” Kellard said. “I got into him as a kid and I just really admired how he was so diverse, in all the different things and the wide-ranging disciplines he was interested in. It was always an inspiration in my work.
Kellard’s admiration for the Renaissance master reignited in 2017 after reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of DaVinci, leading him to travel extensively to places associated with the artist, including Italy and Portugal.
Over the years, Kellard has received recognition for his work, including being accepted as a Getty Images contributor and completing commissions for organizations like Capital One. One of his most memorable photographs, depicting a military father surprising his daughter at her graduation, was featured in a scholarship campaign.
Now, Kellard is turning to new platforms, like gallery exhibits, to share his photography with a broader audience. The Oceanside Library exhibit is a culmination of his decades-long journey, celebrating his local roots, love of storytelling, and artistic evolution. The exhibit is meant to reflect the diversity of subjects and genres that Kellard photographs, from cityscapes and architecture to landscapes and candid scenes inspired by DaVinci and his time covering different beats as a reporter.
For Kellard, the exhibit is more than a showcase of his work—it’s a way to connect with the community that shaped him.
“Oceanside has always been a special place for me, and I’m excited to share my perspective with others,” he said.
The exhibit runs throughout February, offering visitors a chance to experience Kellard’s unique lens on the world. From serene beach sunrises to bustling cityscapes and beyond, the collection invites viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty in everyday life.
Through these exhibits, I’m learning what people like and what people look for in a photo or how a photo may touch them,” he said. “It’s a learning experience for me. I think that’s why I’m doing it in part as well. What can I learn from these receptions? What can I learn from people giving me feedback about my photos?”
For more information, visit the Oceanside Library website or stop by during the exhibit’s opening hours.