Published: July 05, 2009 12:36 am      

PHOTO: GNN photog's work is on 'People'

NIAGARA FALLS — COVER SHOT: Photo of Michael Jackson is by Dan Cappellazzo.

BY RICK PFEIFFER

rick.pfeiffer@lockportjournal.com

Greater Niagara Newspapers photographer Dan Cappellazzo has seen his fair share of history.

He raced to New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, to record what had happened there. His photos of massive abortion protests in Western New York in the 1992 Spring of Life were featured in more than 200 publications worldwide, while his picture of Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith’s sack of New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler in Super Bowl 25 hangs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For 16 years, he has brought memorable images to GNN readers, and now one of those is memorializing pop music icon Michael Jackson.

The current issue of People Magazine, a special memorial edition highlighting Jackson’s life, features a cover photo snapped by Cappellazzo at yet another Bills’ Super Bowl appearance. Jackson was the featured half-time performer at Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena.

“It was before I came to the Gazette,” Cappellazzo said, “I was working for the Batavia News and also selling my stuff to the Polaris Agency.”

Half-time is normally when photographers covering a football game take a break. After all, Cappellazzo said, their job is to cover the game and not worry about what else might be taking place.

In addition, Jackson’s publicist had warned the photogs there was to be no picture-taking during the pop king’s performance.

“Telling a (news) photographer not to shoot something is an exercise in futility,” Cappellazzo said.

So as Jackson hit the stage, “Cappy” picked up his camera and began snapping.

The picture Cappellazzo captured is a singular vision of Jackson at the height of his musical success. Bathed in light and smoke, Jackson stands on the stage in his then trademark short black pants, white socks, white T-shirt and unbuttoned white dress shirt, open and blowing backward.

“(As a photojournalist) you are documenting life,” Cappellazzo said.

As for seeing his work on every magazine stand, beginning Friday, and splashed across the world on the Internet, Cappellazzo admits that’s fun.

“It’s exciting. My family and friends are proud,” he said. “My mom is proud. She’s bought three copies (of the magazine).”

Even his 11-year-old daughter, Madeline, has taken notice of her dad’s work.

“She’s proud of her dad, she’s excited,” Cappellazzo said. “She looked at it and then it was out to the backyard to toss a football around.”

Contact reporter Rick Pfeiffer

at 282-2311, ext. 2252.