Juliet’s Journal
“A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.”
— Annie Leibovitz
Brand Sessions with Holly Shelowitz
Holly Shelowitz came to me needing new images for her website and the many workshops and talks she gives in the Hudson Valley.
It was time to dig in. She has many facets to her business, so we landed on a concept with different locations, and even a different season so that we could tap into the natural beauty of the Catskills. The result would be an image library that she could pull from for a couple of years. Our locations were The Woods, A Farmer’s Market, and In The Kitchen. To me, this feels like Personal Branding at it’s best.
We began at the Kingston Farmers’ Market and I loved her light blue sweater against the rich tones of summer produce. Yes, even though she’s a natural woman, we dialed in a solid plan for hair/makeup/wardrobe. These details really make the image, and can be consistent or switched up throughout the image creation.
Blue Man Group NYC Show Finale
Blue Man Group’s finale at The Astor Place Theater closes the chapter for hundreds of us who worked there and experienced the community of artists who created an impactful piece of pop culture.
Me and the gals getting ready for the Blue Man Group’s Funeral for the 80’s in Central Park in May 1988.
Today is the final show of Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theater in New York City.
I was part of the first wave of crew when we were basically grabbing friends who were available to work. It was the year my father passed away and I was grateful to be given a task to do. By the end of my time there, I was studio managing and assisting photographers weekdays at 9 am until call time at 5pm at 434 Lafayette.
Last week on Friday, it was my first time in the theater in 30 years. I hugged and laughed with friends who were part of my every day life once upon a time. When the show began that night, in my mind I saw and felt the band as Larry and Brian and Ian. The opening bit with Chris, Matt, and Phil, brought back the excitement I experienced so long ago. I laughed and cried and remembered how I felt in the earliest days of Blue Man.
Tuesday there was a special invitation crew/alumni show. It was my first time seeing it without Chris. Matt, and Phil as Blue Men. As I sat down, it was surreal to be in that renovated space and know only a handful of people. But quickly I felt the very familiar community and passion for the work that made it special for us in the beginning. There were speeches and a huge photo op. There were mentions of all the relationships and babies, and tributes to friends lost. I wanted to speak, but I felt strongly that this was their moment, the people who are still in it and about to have to figure out what's next in their lives. I have the luxury of time and distance and decades of love with the founding crew members.
I'll take up some space here to mention that the first baby born to the first wave of crew was Ruby, daughter of Company Managers Susan West and Frier McCollister.
The amazing people we've lost: Beautiful and great vibe Daniel Burgess who built stuff AND lead the crew - (Interpretive Dance Protest, anyone?). When he died, the crew felt him with us and missed him daily. It was a huge loss, even though he wasn't on staff any more. In recent years, we mourned the loss of Joe McGuire who had actual stage manager experience and introduced us to Broadway Cares and the theater community in NYC. And dear Leah Schneider, a proper Broadway stage hand skilled on lights - I can still picture her climbing all over the theater.
The essence of the show remains because of all the people over the years who trained and handed their baton to the next hire. Or came up with ideas that worked, or even lended a hand to get this thing going. I think it is safe to say we each left having contributed to this legacy, successfully creating a feeling that transcends time and change. I love Blue Man again, and I am so proud of the musicians and blue guys and crew folk that have kept it going all these years.
A Scary Good Time in Town
Halloween in Woodstock last night was a night of wonder. Weird that it was in the 70’s and sunny. But wonderful to see all the costumes, come up on old friends and just laugh. Everyone I asked was happy to let me take their picture, with my big fake old-timey flash. I was called on by the Woodstock Chamber of Arts and Commerce to be the roving photographer. I had no costume plan at 10/31 rolled around. So an hour before my kid got home from school I fashioned an old school news photographer get up and added a purple wig. Please enjoy these photos on the fly.
Chronogrammies are on!
Juliet Lofaro Portrait Photographer has made it to the top five of the 2024 Chronogrammies!
2024 Chronogrammies can be voted on daily through 5/15/24
I haven’t thrown my hat into the ring for the Chronogram’s annual readers’ choice awards before. Once, I was nominated in the “Wedding Photographer” category and I withdrew it. Sure, I may shoot a wedding or elopement once or twice a year. I didn’t think it would be fair or make sense to try and get votes because there are photographers out there who base their entire businesses around weddings. So this year, under “People” you can find my business under “Photographer”, because advertising and promotion is a vital part of spreading the word and connecting with people who believe in what I can provide.
I love photographing people in a way that contributes to their lives personally and professionally. We get to connect and freeze time. You can vote daily through May 15, 2024 and I’m going for it. I made it to the top five after all!!! Thanks in advance.
Are you feeling shy about being photographed?
Let’s get vulnerable and have fun with it! We have ALL been there.
In a world of filtered perfection, many clients come to me with concerns about being photographed. So often there are a few extra pounds, wrinkles, or past photos they’d rather not own. I never want to make light of this. What I want is for you to trust me. Trust the process. Celebrating yourself in pictures is, in my very biased opinion, one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.
Starting with our first conversation, connection begins. My intention is that by the time we are in the photo session, you are prepared, comfortable, and maybe even feeling a bit courageous. We have planned and designed it, and I direct you throughout the shoot. I don’t have many jokes up my sleeve, but I’m confident we’ll have some laughs and smiles. Isn’t true beauty found in vulnerability? In the raw emotions that make us human?
If this is for your business, our connection becomes your connection to your audience and potential clients. When you look into the lens, the result is you looking at whoever sees the photo. Magic happens when you let your guard down and be vulnerable. It makes you relatable. We won’t just capture an image of you, we get to tell your story. Embracing discomfort is actually a perfect way to have your true beauty shine through. I encourage you to resist the urge to put on a mask of perfection. If there are any “imperfections”, people will just see your confidence and say “wow”.
