3rd Time's A Charm... | M Kutz Photoshoot III

Ya, ya... I love this guy.  djmkutz.com (Go check out some of his crazy remixes.  The new drake one is incredible)

He busts chops to get his photoshoots done but I respect him for doing so, because this man is driven to succeed.  He's always on top of his game and his passion for music and creating is inspiring..."Who LOH you meng?"

So this is the 3rd M Kutz Photoshoot and just for the record...How good looking is my friend???  Good looking + talented, a deadly combination!  We were going for a clean, stylish look this time around.  After all M Kutz is a little older and shall we say... more refined.  We kept it in studio, "bright lights + High Gloss", those were the exact words that came out of his mouth when describing what he wanted.  White backdrop and that was all, the rest was up to him and as always he pulled it off with ease.  It was actually a lot of fun.  Much different from our 2 previous shoots  (Click on the links for the first 2 shoots - M Kutz Photoshoot I + M Kutz Photoshoot II)

DJ M Kutz is currently dj'ing every Saturday night at Hyde Lounge in Toronto and he is also preparing for the Red Bull Thre3Style party rockin' competition.  We're goin' on a road trip to London, ONT and we are gonna watch him tear it up!!!

Kutz, I love you...I hope you put these photos to good use my man!

Julz

Starlight Foundation Project - "A bright light in dull days."

I apologize for the long post...But this one is important!!!

A good friend of mine, Mina Spremulli, asked me to participate in a project for the "Starlight Foundation".  She described what the foundation set out to achieve and I instantly became a gigantic fan of Starlight.

If you've never heard of Starlight, they are a foundation assembled to bring hope and happiness into the lives of children with illnesses.  Their goal is not to find a cure, but rather to forget about life with an illness, or disability, even if only for a day. 

Starlight is all about living for today and for the moment, and if you know me, that is exactly how I CHOOSE to live.  I say "choose" purposely because life is so important to me and we all have our circumstances that make our lives difficult at times but at the end of the day you can't let anything stop you from enjoying every moment you have here.  You choose to be happy or sad and life is just way too short to dwell on all the negativity we surround ourselves with.  So be happy today, don't concern yourself with the past and don't worry too much about the future.  Enjoy right now and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.  Just LIVE!

So back to the project, Mina was asked to assemble 10 artists, all students of hers or somehow affiliated with her.  She asked Grafic, an elite mens clothing company located in Woodbridge to be a part of the project and they jumped at the opportunity. The artists were asked to create a piece that creatively included Starlights image/objective as well as incorporate an athlete that was assigned to us.  All NHL hall of famers!!!  I was assigned "Steve Shutt" who played for the Montreal Canadian team that won 5 Stanley cups from 1973 to 1979.  These original art pieces would then be signed by our athlete and auctioned off at the annual Starlight charity gala on Saturday February 20.  All of the money raised would be donated to the foundation.  How could I say no???

Well, here is what I came up with... I am the only photographer in the bunch and I wanted to stay true to my style.  I didn't want to create a bunch of images and piece them together in photoshop (which I did think of doing).  I am a real life, real moment artistic photojournalist.  I artistically document emotions hoping to evoke a feeling in whomever views my work.  I think a photograph should be powerful enough to do so.

The description of my Final piece:

"A Bright light in dull days" (the quote from the Starlight Booklet that inspired me)  The purpose of this piece is to illustrate joy in the darkest of situations.  I did not want the message to be directly obvious.  I want the viewer to connect to the art piece, to look deeper into the meaning because I believe art should evoke an emotion.  Starlight aspires to bring happiness into the lives of these children no matter what their situations.  To live for today and not let anything stop you from smiling.  The child in this photo (my stepmothers niece, Emma who was a trooper out in the freezing cold weather.  Thanks EM) is simply happy!!! The image and location was dark and distressed but yet she still manages to find happiness in the simplest of circumstances.  

So here is the final photo...It has to be framed by my custom framer which is going to make it look incredible!!!  When it's finished I will take a picture of it to show everyone.  So you might need to follow me on Facebook or Twitter to get updates :)

I am honoured to be a part of this project and I really did learn a lot about myself as a photographer through this entire process.  I ran into a few failed attempts but it all came together in the end and I want to thank anyone who helped me out or even attempted to.  I look forward to participating again next year.  

Thanks for reading, 

Julian

The Winter Wonderland Full Wedding Post | Tanya + Luc

So, here I am, finally with the chance to post Tanya + Luc's full wedding, INCLUDING THE SLIDESHOW (which is still located at the bottom of the post.)


They came to me last minute to book, I am talking very last minute.  Just over a month before their January 9, 2010 wedding date.  No worries, we did a quick engagement session and then got prepped for the wedding.  The day turned out awesome and every little step leading up to the wedding was just as exciting.  


I've known Luc since I was in elementary school and he was always "the cool" guy, I bet he never thought some little punk like me who was friends with his brother would be photographing one of the most memorable days of his life... Well I did and I am honoured to have done it and I would do it a million times over.  


I got to see the ups and downs of you two and I have to admit it was never a dull moment.  That's why I love you guys!  You are uniquely, YOU!  I want to thank you for trusting in me to document this amazing day, it was my pleasure to be there along with Paul and I know I'll be hearing from you guys for years to come.


Enjoy


Julian
PS. Check out their First Wedding Post Here


Please Continue to comment at the bottom of the post.  I want to beat my record of 10 comments :)


She smiled all day long :)

Make up was done by the super talented Gina Frantiz from Esthetically Yours Make-up Artistry

Tanya's beautiful mother placed this wedding magazine on the table in her room anticipating that us photographers
(Paul + I) would think of something creative to do with it. Sure enough we took a bunch of photographs of it but this one includes a special set of matches. Tanya's mom was looking for matches and the first set she saw was from her 
honeymoon over 20 years ago. What are the chances???



What's a wedding without Johnny Walker Blue & Sorrel boots?

Luc loves this one of his grandfather giving him a pep talk on the way to the church.










The Details were beautiful at Da Vinci Banquet hall

Tanya + Luc, from the bottom of my heart. Thank You for being you. Your wedding was a blast!
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Winter Wonderland Wedding - Tanya + Luc - Semi-Teaser

So this post was supposed to be a teaser, and to me a teaser is 1 - 5 photos MAX!!!  However, it was next to impossible to control myself.  What an absolutely awesome way to kick off 2010.  Tanya + Luc, you guys are awesome on so many levels.  I have gotten to know you both so well, I have even had the pleasure of seeing the "behind the scenes" action, lol.  Congratulations, I love you guys!!!

I have so much to say and so much to write about, but since this is only a "teaser" I am going to keep it short.  First, a special thank you goes out to Paul, my second shooter...Awesome job my man, as always and get ready for an awesome year!!!

I took a tiny hiatus from blogging to give myself a creative rest because I know how much blogging, shooting and business building I will be doing in 2010, but now I am BACK!!!  Stay tuned for an amazing 2010 Blog year...Personal, professional, FAQ posts...ANYTHING, and EVERYTHING will be posted up on this blog.  I have to much to say and I have an absolutely awesome job and life and I would love to share it with you.

Keep checking back, I should have a FULL wedding post up sometime very soon and eventually a FULL wedding slideshow.  In the meantime sit back and enjoy the "teaser" photos.

Tanya + Luc, I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick start my year than by photographing your amazingly memorable wedding day :)  Have fun in JAMAICA!!!

Julz

AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM, LET ME KNOW YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO!!!


















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The best is yet to come...

So as I was going through my 2009 images, I realized just how grateful I am to have had such awesome people to work with this past year.  You all truly hold a special place in my heart, believe me!

I also realized how super excited I am for what 2010 has in store...Lot's of travelling, more beautiful and interesting clients, Photography excursions, personal excursions, workshops WHO KNOWS...but I do know how absolutely thrilled I am...Nervous? Yes!!! But I can't wait to see and experience what will happen.

This past year has been full of business challenges  that I have overcome  and 2010 will be no different...I owe a lot of my success this year to my father, Bert Moniz.  My father has gone above and beyond for me and I am so incredibly thankful to have you in my life.  I love you and thank you for teaching me the ropes but giving me the ability to create my own destiny.

2010 will be full of challenges, unexpected adventures, spontaneous journeys and I plan on conquering all of it. I can't wait.  My only advice to you is STAY TUNED...This blog is going to get really, REALLY EXCITING!!!

As a celebration of my past year as a photographer I put together a wedding slideshow of just a few of my favourite images and if you have followed my blog since the beginning, you would know that I originally had the song "Clarity" by John Mayer up as soon as you loaded the page.  So this is a tribute to my beginning and a toast to my future...up to now my life has been full of surprises and some emptiness but after this year I feel like my life is JUST beginning  and I can't wait to see what's is in store...good or bad, bring it on.

Enjoy the slideshow

Julian

The Photographer is Photographed!

So sometimes it's nice to be in front of the camera for a change.  My good friend and fellow photographer Mark Pagliaroli of "picture me perfect"got together to hang out at his new studio which is awesome!!!  I'm definitely going to be hanging out there a whole lot more, that's right Mark!

We decided to do each other a favour and photograph each other for a change, which was pretty wild.  Mark is also a director and a film maker and his new movie "Genesis" is set to release January 10, 2010.  So if your interested in coming to the premiere contact me.  I will be there :)

Before my photography days I wanted to be an actor and I joined forces with Mark and "Reel Film Pictures" which is Mark's company and we put together a few films.  Maybe one day I'll ask Mark to lend me a trailer for a movie I was in and I will put it up on the blog.

Those days are done, and being behind the camera is my one true passion now.  I can't get over how much I love it and each day that passes I keep wanting to learn more and more and if I could I would shoot every single day.  It's a blessing to be doing what I am doing and making so many people happy while photographing their true beauty, regardless of the type of shoot.

If you love something, go for it.  Don't let anybody stop you from truly being happy.  Ya, it might be hard at first because your making so many sacrifices, but I promise you that if you put all you got into going for your dreams and you do it with passion and true emotion then you will be happy and that is all that matters in the end.

Here are a few pics from the shoot.  Thanks Mark, I love you buddy!

julz





I had to post this one cuz I got Mark to laugh...which is so AWESOME!!!



I had to end it with a photo of the two photographers. Awesome time Markus!

The 20 Minute Engagement Session | Tanya + Luc

So they booked last minute.  I am talking coming to meet me on Thursday and booking with me on Sunday and then doing a quick engagement session on Sunday as well!!!  Their wedding is January 9, 2010.  My first couple of 2010 and I have to admit I couldn't ask for a better way to start the new year.

Tanya + Luc are naturals in front of the camera when they are with each other, whether they want to admit it or not.

I'm so happy to be your photographer and I can't wait for the wedding, it's going to be a BLAST!!!

We will talk soon,

Julian









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