North Bergen native Joseph Lepore has had his fair share of interesting professions: lifelong magician, cyclist, and even author. Now Lepore will have his photographs displayed in an exhibit in the North Bergen Free Public Library from Nov. 12 through Dec. 31 titled “Candid North Bergen.”
The showcase will feature his photos of North Bergen from perspectives such as treetops and rooftops.
“No matter how old you are or how long you’ve lived in this town, I guarantee you’re going to see it in a way that you’ve never seen before in your life,” said Lepore, “and that makes me proud.”
“You look at it and it stirs all these emotions and memories that people had.” – Joseph Lepore
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Bicycling book leads to photos
After years of bicycling to shows scattered through each of New York City’s five boroughs, Lepore began compiling his experiences into his first book. Released in May 2010, the Bicycle Commuter’s Ultimate Survival Guide contains details that hope to keep bicycle commuters safe and informed.
Upon releasing his first book, Lepore shifted his focus to the town he grew up in.
“North Bergen is the second hilliest town in the country,” said Lepore. “I thought it’d be funny to write a quirky little book about the hills of North Bergen.”
Due to the unavailability of statistics on the slopes of hills, Lepore contacted an engineer to determine how he could measure the hills with just a level and a ruler himself.
“I set out on my hands and knees and I crawled up and down every hill in North Bergen for about a year or two,” said Lepore, adding that his measurements occurred mainly between Tonnelle Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard.
Candid North Bergen
Soon, Lepore began snapping photos of his measurements, which he began posting online. After his friends saw his pictures, they asked him to take more around the town.
“The next thing you know, I was collecting pictures of North Bergen,” said Lepore. “I’ve shot the town from all these different angles.”
Lepore soon noticed that many viewers appreciated the photographs for the sentimental value they carried.
“It’s like interactive art,” continued Lepore. “I take the picture, and you take the memory. You look at it and it stirs all these emotions and memories that people had [of North Bergen].”
Many of Lepore’s photographs feature distinctive views of the Hudson waterfront, North Hudson James J. Braddock Park, and residences and storefronts throughout town. In fact, Lepore was nicknamed “Spiderman” by friends for his ability to climb trees and gain access to rooftops for unique and unseen vantage points of the town.
Inspired by positive feedback, Lepore will now host a reception at 5:30 in the North Bergen Library on Thursday, Nov. 10 to kick off his upcoming exhibit that starts Nov. 12. The reception will feature catering from North Bergen restaurants, music, and of course, his photographs.
Local book in his future
Lepore insisted that although the photography exhibit is currently a priority, he still plans to release a comprehensive book about North Bergen, the town in which he was born and raised.
“It’s going to showcase the charm and character of the town,” said Lepore, “so people can see the beauty of North Bergen.”
With his second book still in the works, Lepore has nothing but high hopes and expectations for his upcoming exhibit.
“[Viewers] are going to witnesses to history,” said Lepore. “I’m looking to knock them out.”
“They’re might be ambulances and paramedics that are going to have to be called,” he added with a laugh. “I really can’t wait to see the reactions from it.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.