Billy was born and raised in Massapequa, NY. Billy attended Massapequa High School where he was a Three Sport Letterman in Football, Basketball and Lacrosse. Billy was a stand out Football player in his Junior and Senior Years. Besides winning a Long Island Championship and County Championship in 1980 and 1981 respectively. Billy's personal highlight was in 1982 when he was presented The Co- MVP Award vs. Cross Town Rival Berner Bison's in a 7-0 victory. (Insert Photo) Billy also discovered photography in his Junior Year, while fulfilling an art requirement, and it was love at first site. Billy became enamored with photography. He developed a passion for learning the trade, a passion that still burns today. Billy graduated with a New York State Regents Diploma with the Class of 1983.

Art Background:

Billy's parents owned Bill Tracy Galleries in New York and carried The Work of The worlds most famous artists. Lee Roy Neiman, Salvador Dali and Harvey Edwards, Just to name a few. Billy worked with his parents while attending High School and became educated in The Arts. He quickly started to create his own art with the use of his camera. Billy had built a nice portfolio at a young age which resulted in a scholarship from Long Island University- C.W. Post Campus in Greenvale, NY. Billy was offered this scholarship for his achievements in Football and Photography.

College:

Billy attended LIU-C.W. Post College from September 1983- May of 1988, where he studied a variety of courses. Knowing that he would eventually have his own business one day, he chose a dual Major in Photography/Communications and minored in Business and Sociology. Billy was a student - athlete at C.W. Post. As a member of The Football Team From 1983-1987, he posted a few school records in scoring three touchdowns in one game against Central Connecticut in 1986. He had also led the team in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Yds/Catch in his Junior and Senior Years. During his summers Billy worked as a Ball Boy for The New York Jets Football Team. Billy had also spent two months in 1988 doing his senior project in Miami, FL working on the set of The Hit TV Show Miami Vice. (See Photo Above !) Billy's cousin is The Emmy Award Winning Robert Lacey, Jr. Upon Completion of his senior project and internship, Billy graduated from Long Island University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree.

1987-1989

As Billy was finishing college, one of his final requirements was to work in his field of photography getting real work experience. Billy picked up the phone and called one of his favorite photographers, music industry legend Mark Weiss. Mark has photographed many music Icons such as Bon Jovi, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Little Steven (Bruce Springstien and Soprano's Star), and LaToya Jackson. To Billy's surprise Mark had called him back and asked him to come in for an interview. That very same day, Billy assisted on his first photo shoot, with Atlantic Recording Artists Twisted Sister. Billy made the best of this opportunity by impressing Mark so much, that he hired Billy on a permanent basis. Billy was responsible for setting up all of the sets, props, camera and lighting. He also did test shots on the set before the shoot was about to start. This was a high pressure star studded atmosphere with little room for mistakes. Billy stayed at this position helping Mark create some of his most successful shoots to date. Billy decided early in 1989 that it was time to test his talents and go out on his own. With all the experience he had working for two years in New York City, he felt ready.

1989-1991

After two years of Assisting, Billy started a three year stint building himself as Billy "The Kid" in The New York and Los Angeles Music Scene. During this time, Billy Photographed such celebrities as Alice Cooper, Kip Winger, Bon Jovi, KISS, and Howard Stern. While working with Mark in 1988, Billy met an executive at CBS Records, now known as Sony Records, who hired Billy to photograph a band he was managing. After getting back the photos from the shoot and getting the bands feedback, he decided to hire Billy for three other bands he was working with. Soon afterward, every local band and model wanted to be shot by Billy "The Kid". Billy's work started appearing in national magazines such as: Metal Edge, Faces, Rock Scene, Metal Muscle Magazine and other publications. In September of 1989 Billy was hired to cover The Foundations Forum Music Convention in Los Angeles, CA. Which he participated in over the next three years. In 1990, Billy was a featured Artist in The Convention Art Show and was seen and interviewed by MTV. One of Billy's close Friends and Clients was "Stutterin" John Melendez from The Howard Stern Show..John is Now The Announcer for the Jay Leno Show. Billy had photographed John's band many times and to show his appreciation, John was regularly seen on Howard Stern's TV Show wearing a Billy "The Kid" T-Shirt. John also introduced Billy to Howard Stern and photographed him at one of the shows TV tapings. While being voted by a New York Magazines Best Photographer in 1990, Billy expanded his business, by shooting for advertising agencies. He photographed advertising campaigns for Zenith Data Systems, Holiday Inn, Tour Case, Inc. and Advice Worldwide. He also photographed fashion catalogs for Oynx Sportswear, and Ginger Fashions, LTD. At this time Billy was also working with Modeling Agencies doing Model Portfolios and Composite Cards. Billy was utilizing his talents to become a knowledgeable and well rounded photographer.

1991-1994:

This period of time was a cross roads for Billy. His dad had his second open heart surgery and lived in Tampa, FL. So, Billy picked up and moved to be closer to his Dad. With most of his credentials in New York and Los Angeles, moving to Tampa was like starting all over for BTK. Billy worked the next 8 months in a camera shop and bartended at night......as his Father's health improved, so did Billy's career when he met Dick Zimmerman, Hollywood's biggest photographer in the 1980's. Dick was opening a Glamour Makeover Studio in Tampa...he invited Billy to come look at the studio and meet him there for lunch. After reviewing Billy's portfolio, he offered him a job as his head photographer. Billy thought he knew a lot about photography until Dick started to train him and made him look at things he never thought of before. Dick Zimmerman made Billy pay attention to fine details and shared trade secrets on creating magical photographs. Billy credits Dick Zimmerman on teaching the techniques of capturing the persons true personality in a photograph. In August of 1992 Dick promoted Billy to Manager and had this to say, "Billy has been doing a tremendous job since taking over the responsibilities of Studio Z. I respect his dedication and the extra effort he is giving above and beyond the normal, which is the attitude of a real team player." After spending the next year running Dick Zimmerman's Studio Z, the studio was nearing expansion. Dick had expressed his gratitude in a Thank You Note saying, "Thank You very much for your total dedication in helping to make the first year of Studio Z the best photographic makeover studio in the country today. You carried the ball when we really needed a touchdown, and I personally appreciate your effort!" Billy was instrumental in helping Studio Z become The Official Photographer of The Swash-Buc-Lers (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders) and also photographed many radio and T.V. personalities. Billy worked closely with Dick until 1994 when the Studio was sold to an outside organization. After several months under the new ownership; Billy decided he did not like the direction the new owners were heading. He left Studio Z in December 1994 in search of keeping his goals and dreams alive. He made the right decision Studio Z closed all stores in February 1995.

Billy's Back 1995-2000

After a month of planning and regrouping Billy decided to reopen Billy "The Kid" Photography. In February 1995 Billy "The Kid" Photography became The Official Photographer for the Following Organizations: The Tampa Buccaneer Cheerleaders, The World Champion Tampa Bay Storm Football Team, The Tampa Bay Lightning, Empress Cruise Lines and Clear Channel Radio Stations. Billy's success was a credit to his high quality product at affordable prices and the good rapport he builds with almost all of his clients, which has led to many referrals. This attitude led to Billy renewing all of his contracts in 1996. In February 1996 Billy photographed fashion catalogs for two international clothing companies. Splash (Germany) and Legendary Rock (USA). This led to an advertising job from The GCI Group out of New York to photograph an advertising campaign for Vivarin. 1996 also became a year where Billy "The Kid" went Presidential. Billy photographed Presidential Candidate Pat Buchanan on two occasions in The Tampa Bay Area. Billy was also spotlighted several times on TV and News Programs which included: Entertainment Spotlight a Time Warner Production, Buccaneer Video Magazine a Sports Channel Production and On ABC News covering a photo shoot of The Tampa Bay Storm. 1996 also saw Billy shoot posters for LOGO Athletic, Lee Sport, GMC Trucks and US Sprint. Billy "The Kid" finished up 1996 with photographing WWF's "The Rock" and All Pro Linebacker Hardy Nickerson for 98 Rock. 1997 showed no signs of slowing down. Along with shooting Tampa Bay Sports Teams and Radio Stations, Billy Started shooting for The Event Guide Tampa Bay. A full color magazine. Being the staff photographer, Billy had photographed a few covers for the magazine. Including future Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs of The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, The first inaugural pitch of The Devil Rays, Pro-Bowl Running Back Mike Alstott and Super Bowl Winning quarterback Trent Dilfer. In the late 90's.....While still doing The Tampa Bay Sports Teams, Celebrities, Models and Advertising Campaigns; Billy looked to expand. Billy started his own advertising agency. With personal computers now becoming common place in the Average American home, Billy started to get more involved in Website photography and digital photography. Although he has enjoyed many successes, times were changing and a new set of goals and ideas were formed for The New Millennium.

2000-2001

The year 2000 brought about many changes at Billy "The Kid" Photography. Billy had started to shoot for Natural Muscle Magazine....photographing several featured articles in the magazine. Through the accessibility of the Internet, Billy was able to advertise and contact other people across the country. Billy started marketing himself and sending out samples of his work. Billy had developed a client base in Miami and would shoot in the Miami area once a month. Billy was also developing a knack for graphic design. Producing business cards, newsletters, brochures and web sites. In 2001, Billy got involved in pageant photography. Billy's Daughter Amber and Son Zachary were competing in pageants. So, Daddy (Billy "The Kid") did all of their photogenic head shots and portfolio photos. Both of his kids won most photogenic and Best Portfolio and Best Composite Card in State and National Pageants. 2001 was also a Year where 9-11 affected Billy's outlook on life. Billy wanted to do something that would make a difference in life. Although, very proud of his work, he felt like there was more that he wanted to do.

2002-2003:

Early in 2002, Billy had met Michael Butler of HBO's "The Making of a Living Doll" Michael had seen some of the work that he had done of his daughter Amber and had asked him to do a shoot with him in West Palm Beach Florida in April 2002. The shoot was a success and it started off a new type of photography for Billy "The Kid". Billy has always had a great amount of affinity for children and kids. His very first photo essay assignment in college, was on children. It was emotional and heart felt. A child psychologist actually bought his original prints when she viewed the photos and are still in her office today. When asked about children Billy has this to say, "I do not know exactly what it is. I just always loved the innocence of a kid. You look in their eyes and they just have so much feeling. There is nothing fake about them, I love seeing a kid's eyes light up when they discover something for the first time or they accomplish something. It's real! It makes me feel good to know that I might have made a difference in their life." Like any type of photography it is always different and there is a certain learning curve. Billy excelled at pageant photography and many of his clients, started to see winning results. But the real success lies in his passion. Billy has a passion for photography and loves to photograph kids and to capture their true personality through the lens. His success is the high quality of work and the relationship he builds with each kid. Making them feel good about themselves and making them feel comfortable. The results have been magical and getting better and better with each shoot.

2003-2005:

2003 was The Year The Flood Gates opened for Billy "The Kid" In the Pageant World. This was a time when everything came together. Billy switched from Film To Digital. He worked with One of The Best Retouchers Worldwide with Maria Gustavsson of Sweden. He also Teamed up with Hair & Make up Artist Teresea Yee who complimented Billy's style and work. Between Billy, Maria and Teresea....They Took The Pageant World by Storm! They Created a Revolution and changed the way pageant photography was viewed. They Raised the bar and everyone had to quickly play catch up. During a three month period, it seemes like every major photo contest was won with a Billy "The Kid" Photo. Many of Billy's Clients had won over $10,000 on his pictures through Photo Contests alone. Unfortunately, with all the great work came a demand for his photography. This caused an overwhelming amount of work and it took a long time to regroup.

2005-Present:

In The Spring of 2005 Billy The Kid Studios was born. With being on the Road 46 out of the last 52 weeks...Billy wanted to spend more time at home, close to his growing children. He Opened Billy "The Kid" Studios in Tampa, FL. The studio has been a lifelong dream. The studio is a top notch, high class 1,500 square ft studio. Including, Billy's Photo Gallery...Green Room with wide screen TV, Wireless Internet, and Video Games....A full size Hollywood Style Dressing Room.....and a large Studio with green screen. The Studio Opened to Rave Reviews and it is a place where everyone should experience atleast once. Billy also opened his online Photo Contest....The Photo Revolution and this Online Contest has big plans for 2007. Having come full circle 2006 was a year of reinvention and in 2007 The Revolution will be reborn. Don't Miss out, Some special, magical moments are ahead! Besides photography there are other goals and aspirations in Billy's life. He is an aspiring writer, with hopes of writing movie scripts and books. He would also like to publish books of his many pieces of works over the years. One book he has always wanted to do is photojournalism, a photographic story of The Homeless Across America. Billy also has a web design company which is growing steadily since he opened it in August of 2002.

Keeping up with his commercial work, Billy Photographed Jon Gruden Head Coach of The Super Bowl Winning World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also Legendary Devil Ray Skipper Lou Piniella. Billy is still working with major companies in developing the proper images for their respective companies.

2006 Also saw Billy Photography Melissa McGhee of American Idol Fame, with his photos being published in American Idol Magazine.

At the time of this update: There will be a book out in 2007 written by Billy "The Kid". Billy recently signed a book deal with a Major Book Publisher. Although at this time details can not be given....the book will be out by Summer of 2007. More details will be given later when, the book is closer to being released. It may also correspond with a reality show.

On a personal note: Billy also finds Time to Coach Football and Baseball for his Sons Zachary(9) and Billy (17). His Daughter Amber (8) just makes Daddy's heart melt and he loves to photograph her. He also enjoys taking her out by herself to dinner and an ice cream as often as he can! Zachary and Amber are signed to a Talent Agent and have been modeling succesfully now since early 2006. While Billy is a Member of The National Honor Society, He has a 5.6 GPA and Captain of The Football Team. He is being considered for Scholastic and Athletic Scholarships from Notre Dame, Harvard, Stanford and several others.

With a name that sounds more like an outlaw, he is nothing but a kind hearted big Teddy Bear. Shhhhhh! Don't tell him we told you that. ;-)