Portrait: Veronica Vazquez-Jackson

I have known Veronica for over 25 years.  We performed on stages in plays as kids back at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx.  For whatever reason in all the years in between then and now her birthday is one of those days I always remember...lol.

Now as grown folk we are working together again with Dominic Colon and Erica Strubbe-Montalvo on the Broadway musical "In The Heights" with an amazing cast of teens and young adults from Kips Bay.  It is so funny how things come full circle.

For the "Heights" cast I had them all come through the Studio for Headshots this month.   Follow me as I take you through the multiple versions of this portrait of the Billboard recording artist known as Veronica.  Perhaps you can help me pick the best one.

Below is the finalized image I created.  Using a ring light I was able to really capture this beautiful image of V.




Of course I started playing around in the digital darkroom and came out with this Black & White version below.




Then I decided to go OD with the saturation and make more of a pop art ad look.




Finally I went in a totally different direction with this Silver Sand look.




I know each one is unique in its own way.  Which one do you like?

- J

Model: Dami

I love photographing people.  When my friend Najah came to me with a new model looking to work on her portfolio I welcomed the project.  The model, Dami, was originally from Nigeria and came to the States some time ago.  Najah was going to be her fashion stylist for this project while Makeup was being done by Color Me Cream. 

We had a great time collaborating in pre-production and had an even better time during the indoor/outdoor shoot.

Dami definitely wanted to get on the tracks so we designed this as one of the concepts.  What do you think?

Model

Portrait: Miss Najah

Preparation is key for photo shoots.  And Najah was on point.  Her hair and makeup were flawless.  She really knows how to present not only herself, but her clients.

In the photo below I was able to use the purple backdrop to go well with Najah's outfit and her skin color.  If Najah can put all this together, you better believe she can work your wardrobe and bring out the best in you. 

Please check out this fashion consultant & event styist at NajR.

Headshot: Zion

As I have shared here previously, I have taught a few photography courses of the past year and a half.  So it was a pleasure when one of my former students asked me to photograph her son's headshot. 

I love working with artists, whether it be for album covers or headshots.  My first intro to the arts was an actor during my teen years so headshots are very familiar to me.  It also helped that I knew the family and had seen Zion in numerous photos already (on FB and Instagram).

As always I start off by establishing relationship with the people I am working with.  Zion is the same age as my nephew so I immediately took an interest into Zion's love of music and acting.  He is also the oldest of his siblings as I am too.  I reminded him that we were in Central Park to have fun during our 45 minute shoot.  He took direction very well.  And his smile is amazing.

Check it for yourself.

Street Light [Part I]

jPHONE

New York City is definitely a city of lights and action. Regardless of how late or early in the morning it is, you will always find lights.

With my jPhone in hand here is a little of the street life on Street Lights in the NYC.

- J


Church Door

Reflection

Empire State Building

Taxi Cab

Portrait: Alexis (Castle Hill)

PORTRAITURE

In order to get around New York City, the subway system is the most economical/convenient/fastest way.  Having grown up in the Bronx I was (and still am) a frequent rider of the #6 train.

For my photo shoot with Alexis I made sure our first stop was Castle Hill Ave.  Originally I planned on having this as a Black and White but once I started playing around I created this urban fine art piece.

Enjoy,
J

Portrait

Portrait: Miss Kels

PORTRAITURE

Last month I began working on my photo retouching skills. I know before any portrait is placed in a magazine or on a billboard it is retouched professionally. I figured while I am continuing to work on my skills behind the camera it would be a good look to enhance my skills behind the computer in post-production.

Over a year ago a friend of mine, Eddie, gave me some dvds of retouching training. I finally decided to watch them over these past four weeks...lol. The dvds were amazing and definitely added multiple levels of retouching epicness to my skill set. Before watching them I had some basic retouching skills which I learned from reading blogs.

Around the same time I started watching the retouching videos, I had the great pleasure of photographing Miss Kels at JDP Studios. Wow, we really took some amazing indoor and outdoor portraits. Of course I decided I would use her photos as my homework for the retouching training.

Here is the first portrait.

I love the sharpness of her eyes, her hair, and her skin.

Big kudos to my boy Eddie for the retouching videos and much love to Miss Kels.  You will be seeing more photos of her soon. 

Portrait

Portrait: RNR (This Is How We Do)

PORTRAITURE

Of course I had to share another RNR portrait.  All I can say is "Holla!" 

This is what I enjoy doing.  The location is Hot!  The artists are Hot!  And so the final edit of the portrait is definitely Hot!  LOL.

Portrait

Portrait: My Angelic Celebrity

PORTRAITURE

You are not an official photographer until you photograph an angel. No, I mean a real angel.

Booshetto Celestial Angelical, aka Booshiee, flew in to JDP Studios last night and did an exclusive photo shoot with me.  And she killed it.  Her wings were looking extra fluffy and her divine beauty lit up the studio.

At the end of the shoot I had the privilege to have my portrait taken with Booshiee. Check out the flyness.

Portrait

New Studio - Behind The Scenes

BEHIND THE SCENES

Some people asked me to post photos regarding the new JDP Studio in the Bronx.  Instead I decided to create a video tour of the raw studio so you can see the "before" look...lol.

Enjoy,
J

Subway Story: NYC

   

While working on a photo project for a client I walked by this New York City subway tunnel.  With camera already in hand, I decided to stretch my arm out to see how far down I could get the shot.  It may look like I was on the tracks or by the catwalk but I was actually safe on the platform.

For all you techies I shot this at 1/60, f2.0, ISO 5,000.  

The image looked good in Lightroom but I still brightened it up a little.  Then I made a small version and placed it on my jPhone.  I opened up the "Plastic Bullet" app and applied this particular filter.

That is my Subway Story.

Portrait: Families by JDP

PORTRAITURE

I love photographing portraits so it only seemed right to organize a composite of some family portraits.

After reviewing both in studio and on-location photos I decided on these eight photos. They definitely show a cross-section of my recent work.

If you want beautiful, professional family portraits you can reach me here on the blog, hit me up on FB, my website, or via my email (josephdominickphotography@gmail.com).

I look forward to serving you soon.

- J

Family Portraits