About

Billy Montana

Graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Film & Photography Degree from Long Island University in Brookeville, NY. He has been a professional photographer for 32 years. Early in his career Billy trained as an assistant with some top commercial, fashion and celebrity photographers. Billy has the ability to capture images that speak to you. He has an ability to make people feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera. His laid back style and patience helps bring out the best in you. Billy has worked all across the United States. He started his career in 1986 working as a portrait photographer. In 1987, Billy got his first break working in the Music Industry. He was hired by Mark Weiss to be his assistant and was present for many memorable photo shoots, including Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet", Twisted Sister, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N' Roses, Cinderella, Doro Pesch, Little Steven and many more...The Experience was invaluable. In 1989, Billy went out on his own doing magazine shoots for many top music magazines and Record Companies. Billy had the pleasure to work with many artists, including but not limited to KISS, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Doro Pesch, LaToya Jackson, Winger, Pharaoh and Poison. Billy had his work appear in Star Magazine, Metal Edge, Faces, Rock Scene, Metal Muscle and Guitar Player Magazine. His work has been published internationally from Magazines to Catalogs. In early 1992 after moving to Tampa, FL Billy managed Celebrity Photographer Dick Zimmerman's Studio Z. Dick Zimmerman is a world Class Photographer who did Michael Jackson's Thriller Album Cover along with many of the major celebrities in the 80's and 90's. Besides having a College Degree, Billy had some great photographers to learn from. As he developed his own style, he became the official photographer of The Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleaders from 1993-1997, The Official Photographer of The Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football Team from 1995-2000, as well as Clear Channel Radio.

Billy quickly developed a reputation as a a creative photographer, who was amazing at capturing images that had impact. Billy was hired to work for Event Guide Tampa Bay and Photographed Celebrities and sports figures such as Baseball Great Wade Boggs, Future Hall of Famer Mike Alstott, Super Bowl Winning Quarterback Trent Dilfer, Super Bowl Winning Head Coach Jon Gruden, Current Washington Redskin Head Coach Jay Gruden and WWE’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Billy was also the main photographer for Clear Channel Radio and had Photographed The Likes of MJ Kelli from The MJ Morning Show, Mason Dixon and Bubba "The Love Sponge."

Known for his expert lighting and creativity, Billy always had a reputation for great quality work and a loyal client base with long lasting relationships. Billy also has a love for art and uses his photography as an Art form. He has spent many years taking abstract photos for his own artistic purposes. Billy said this about his work, “I love taking something that most people see but take for granted and capture it on film, to be looked at and studied. To be appreciated in the way it was intended. So, many times we walk past something and due to stress or the busy life we all lead, we really don’t stop to appreciate the beauty around us. And that is what I like to capture in my work”

Since the Early 2000's Billy has focused on competition photos for beauty pageants, fashion shows and modeling events. His head shots and modeling work is among the best. His reputation for high quality photography and retouching is stellar. He has always gone the extra mile for his clients and doesn't feel satisfied until he knows he has something great to submit to his clients. He has also worked with many clothing designers to help compliment their work and bring their designs to life.

Billy also works in the entertainment field as a manager and consultant. His Daughter Amber Montana was the star of Nickelodeon's "Haunted Hathaways", His son Zack was a successful singer on Disney's Next Big Thing and his Artist Damian Ray was also on Disney's Next Big Thing and in HBO's Mini Series "The Night of" Along with his experience and talent, Billy is also extremely passionate about his work. It is a pure pleasure to see people's faces light up when they shoot with him and receive their photos. If you have not yet worked with Billy Montana, you should do so in the near future.

Montana Music Management

Early in Billy's Photography Career, he worked in NYC in the Music Industry. As he met with publicists, A&R Executives and Artists, he had a passion for doing more then just taking pictures. He wanted to get involved. Here is what Billy had to say, "I am a very creative and visual person. I am also a leader and opinionated, I could close my eyes listen to a song and see a video in my head. I know exactly what I want and see. That is my art, taking what is in my head and bringing it to life! I felt Music Management was a natural fit for me." After Moving to Florida in 1991, his management aspirations took a back seat to his photography career. It wasn't until his Children Zack Montana (Radio Disney's Next Big Thing) and Daughter Amber Montana (Nickelodeon's The Haunted Hathaway's) moved to Hollywood in 2007 to pursue entertainment careers, did he develop a revived passion for Music and Talent Management. After being involved first hand with his kids careers and all of the pitfalls that comes along with it, he decided to get back involved again. Today, Billy has taken the next step into helping other get into this business, through management, consulting, seminars and work shops. Billy says the following about his Management Career, "It has always been my dream to help others. It is not an easy business to break into and can be brutal on a family. I have the Pleasure of working with a future superstar Damian Ray who was on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing and has toured across the country. I love being involved in his music and acting career. But, I have also been around many people who have kids who ask me all the time, how they can get into this business. So, I decided to open my consulting business, to help people develop a plan to have their dreams come true. It is rewarding to Mentor Young Individuals and help them, not just now but through life. I am able to help people avoid the pitfalls most people go through.

It's a great program and I love doing it." If you or your child is interested in having a career in entertainment, visit Billy Montana Enterprises Here to find out more about how we can help you through consulting, upcoming workshops, coaching and seminars or webinars. We are dedicated to help you through the process.

Exodus 9:16 Ministries

January 8, 2008 Billy became a born again

Christian. Although he respects all religions,

this was a personal choice for him and

extremely important in his life. With a desire

and hunger for the answers in life, Billy had

searched many years for spiritual comfort.

Through a series of life events, Billy made the

decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord &

Savior. After attending Church and small

groups regularly, he also dedicated his spare

time cooking for and feeding the homeless. He

also, spent time mentoring children at the

Tampa Bay Children's home. In 2010, Billy decided to start a Ministry that would help spread the word and teachings of the Holy Bible. Billy says, " I am not perfect by any means & have failed more then I succeeded. We all fall short of God's Glory, but I have learned to be more compassionate & less judgmental. It is my hope to make a positive difference in life" It is not about being perfect. It is about making yourself a better person each day. Stop focusing on what other people are doing wrong, look in the mirror & fix yourself first. Each day is a new opportunity to create a better you. Exodus 9:16 says, "indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you." Billy is currently writing his First Christian Book titled, "My Road to Damascus" For more information go to Exodus 9:16 Ministry.

Acheivements & Other Interests

In addition to being an accomplished and respected

photographer, Billy has a BFA in Film & Photography

from a very strong visual art school at LIU - Post in

New York and has been published in Magazines and

Catalogs Internationally. In addition to many

photography awards and achievements, Billy has an

entrepreneurial spirit and has many other interests.

Among those interests is Teaching. Billy loves to teach photography and is available for personal 1 on 1 work as well as Skype lessons. So, if you love photography but need to build up your knowledge and skills, you can contact Billy for an incredible learning experience. Among his many creative outlets, Billy loves to write. He is in the process of writing books, e-books and paperback books. He also has a desire to write, direct and produce movies. If you did not already know Billy Filmed, edited, wrote and directed Damian Rays New York Minute Music Video. Billy believes you should live life to it's fullest. Anything that has The Billy Montana Name on it is infused with Passion and Creativity. Billy Montana is now involved in the Real Estate Investment Field. As much as he loves his craft of photography, he is now taking his creativity to the next level. He is investing in homes that are run down and renovating them. Personally, he loves to Coach Sports and has been a little league and high school coach in Football, Baseball and LaCrosse. He also loves to build furniture out of recycled materials.

Did you Know?

Billy Montana Resides in Clearwater Beach, FL. He chooses Clearwater Beach as his primary residence because of the beauty and his love of the water. Clearwater Beach has been the backdrop to many of his classic photos. Billy Montana also loves to take scenic photos, which are for sale. Click here to view his Gallery of Scenic Photographs. Billy is an avid Jetski Enthusiast and loves to venture the water ways and film Dolphins. Billy Montana is Originally From New York and has lived in Los Angeles, CA and currently spends a lot of time in Wilmington, NC. Billy is also a Talent Manager, Writer and inspires to be more involved in Christian Ministry.

Honeymoon Island Dunedin, FL

Taken By Billy Montana Images with a GoPro Hero 4 Camera Mounted on The Jetski

The Story Behind The Dophins

My Dad was also a beach lover and loved to go out far distances to swim. One afternoon swimming off the shore of Honeymoon Island in the Gulf of Mexico. He was floating on his back, when he felt a hard nudge, which scared the heck out of him at first. He was then nudged a second time and realized they were Dolphins. He said there was 4 of them. They continued to play in the water for about 15 minutes. After the Dolphins left and he returned to shore, He noticed he had gathered a crowd. They asked him, "Were you out there playing with the Dolphins?" He said, "I sure was, it was the most amazing experience I ever encountered." My Dad was getting sick around that time and I had heard that Dolphins can sense when someone is sick. Maybe they were his angels, who knows. My Dad Died on Valentines Day 2010. So, whenever I got out in the water with my Jetski and get the pleasure to see them, it brings me closer to my dad and I look up in the sky and I say Hello! I often wonder if those might be the same Dolphins he encountered that day! It always brings a warm feeling to my heart and a lot of peace. Dolphins are incredible creatures and I absolutely love filming and interacting with them!

Supermodels Unlimited Magazine NYC Billboard Campaign

Billy Montana First Started his career in NYC at the age of 19 Years old working in the music industry. Today, one of his photographs were used as a Billboard right in the heart of NYC in Times Square. Billy Montana said, "When I was young and would walk the city streets as a photographers assistant, I was always mesmerized by the images on these huge Billboards in NYC. I have seen my work on Billboards for over 25 years, but never in NYC and to see something so big with my work on it, in the greatest city in the world, with so many iconic images over the years, it is a super proud moment to know my work stands up with the best. It is extremely humbling and gratifying at the same time." Billy Montana considers it a huge honor to have his work represent Supermodels Unlimited Magazine and is also grateful to the Model Ayana Buxton for the great image as well as the fantastic Hair and Make Up by Tracy Schulz.

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Supermodels Unlimited Magazine NYC - Times Square Billboard. Photography by: Billy Montana Images