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

Joseph Dominick: The Photographer, The Actor, The Artist, The Man

At the beginning of 2012 I wrote on my Goals List that I wanted new photos.  This required I get in front of the camera for my own photo shoot.  So throughout the year I collected images and ideas, never really quite certain when I would do the shoot.  Finally in the late summer I knew I had to take the leap and make it happen.

So I reached out to my friend Wilnelia since she had worked as a second shooter on a couple of weddings I had done.  I thought it would be a tremendous challenge for me and a fun challenge for her. 

A couple of weeks ago we sat in my Studio and went over my notes and what I was looking for in the images.  Wilnelia was great in capturing my vision and adding some clarity to it as well. 

Then came the shoot this past weekend.  After a half day of fun and photos we were able to get some great images both in my studio and outdoors which really reflect me as a Photographer, an Actor, an Artist, and as a Man.

Thank you so much Wilnelia for collaborating with me.  Her website is not up yet but you can catch her on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/TaN4jw.

Check out the first image I processed.

Portrait: Classy Rosaleen

A couple of weeks ago I showed you the "Outgoing" concept for Rosaleen.  Today we feature the "Classy" concept.

With a red dress and a black backdrop Rosaleen went into model mode and had some fun.  She definitely worked this one.  You go gurrrllll.

Portrait: Alexis

I love photographing in New York City.  Since my studio is in the Bronx and I grew up in the Bronx I love to use the urban backdrop in my portraits.

Alexis is gorgeous in the portrait below.  This was taken in the middle of January so it was cold but Alexis is making it look hot.

I went in a new direction with the post-processing here.  A couple of years back I was big on the filmic artography stuff.  I took that and blended it in with my present technique.  The result is something I really, really like. 

What do you think?

Portrait: Miss Kelly

One of my favorite portraits hanging at JDP Studios is of Kelly.  She is great in front of the camera.  So much so she and I will be working on a new project soon.

The photo below was taken with a 35mm lens with a shallow depth of field (f2.2) and I was probably not more than two feet away from her.  Most people would close up with me being that close but Kelly really allowed me in to her personal space.  It is because of that I was able to capture such a lovely reaction of her smiling here.

Thanks Kels!

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.

Portrait: Lyndsi

PORTRAITURE

This is my goddaughter Lyndsi. I love her very dearly and was happy to bring her to the studio to have her very own photo shoot. She is growing into such an amazing beautiful young lady.

Here is one of the portraits from the shoot.

Portrait

Portrait: Kelly

PORTRAITURE

What a smile!  Miss Kels is fun, fun, fun.  Her playfulness was a joy to photograph. 

And oh how I love her eyes.  I actually designed the concept of our entire photo shoot around her eyes.  They are so strong and expressive.

Kelly is such a natural in front of the camera.  I could photograph her for days.

Portrait

Portrait: Mr. Hodge

PORTRAITURE

Michel Hodge and I went to high school together.  Mount Saint Michael represent!

Michel has been very supportive of my photography work and has hired me a few times for location shooting.  This time he came to the studio and we were able to give him a proper business headshot.

You go Mr. Hodge!


Portrait

Portrait: Fashion Kelly

PORTRAITURE

As I previously mentioned I had a great photo shoot with Kelly.  The first shot I shared of her on the blog (Miss Kels) was a beauty shot. 

Because I have such a variety of images to choose from, I decided to select a portrait with more of a fashion look.  Tell me Kelly is not killing in this one too.

You go girl!

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: 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

Portrait: Elements

PORTRAITURE

As some of you may know I am on the Board for a church in the Bronx called The Elements Church. We had a board meeting last week and I decided to take my 5D MkII with the 85mm 1.8 lens.  I had never brought my camera before to a meeting.  I thought I could capture a few candid photos.

The meeting was in the evening so the only light in the room was from the ceiling.  Basically the 85mm was living in the f2.0 area the whole time.  I snapped a few photos just to test out the low light capabilities of the lens.

So here are a few of those pics.  Yes, there was no flash used here.


Efrain is the lead pastor. Here he is testing out some new DJ equipment.  Yes, Elements has a resident DJ during worship service.  Shout-outs to Manny aka DJ NuMan!



B&W of Efrain - my fave



Did someone say Cannoli Cake?



Focused Celeste



Miss Denise


Erika was dodging my camera the whole night.  I finally caught her while she was writing notes.  That is what the smirk is all about...lol.



Of course at the end of the meeting she got all cheesey for the camera

Family Portrait: Throwback

PORTRAITURE

My dad often volunteered with the Catholic Youth Organization.  One day they decided to write an article about him so they hired a professional photographer by the name of Ed Lattau (now deceased) who spent 90 minutes with my dad, mom and me.  He took pictures of us in Spanish Harlem where my parents were raised.


That's me enjoying the view


Here I am working on my handle


Here I am working on my hopscotch skills


Moving on to baseball


On to 2nd Ave


Two things are interesting in these photos (besides the clothing...lol).
1) I would not be able to see my childhood had photos not been taken. With technology that is a no-brainer for the generations growing up today.
2) Snapshots are cute with an iPhone or Blackberry but a professional photographer does some amazing, out-of-this-world imagery.  Being one myself, I can testify.

I encourage you to give your family the experience of a professional photographer spending time with you and not just go for the cheesy (yes cheesy) standard sitting in front of a cloth backdrop photo. 

Should you need assistance, please contact me and we can design a fun concept for your photo shoot.

Portrait: Ruthy

PORTRAITURE

The world is so small.  This past summer I visited Peru as part of a missions trip with Adventures In Missions.  While in Peru I met Ruthy Pena.  She was part of the team of about 40 people, all from different parts of the US. 

While in conversation we realized we had mutual friends back in the New York/New Jersey area.  Ruthy is from New Jersey but we won't hold that against her...lol.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago, Ruthy and I began talking about the new album her and her brother Ricardo are working on.  They needed professional photographs and so we began building a concept for the shoot.

Well two weekends ago we shot it.  We did some exterior shots followed by some studio photos.  (Note: Ruthy and Ricardo are the first ones to be photographed in the new JDP Studio space)

I am editing their selections now.  Below is one of the photos from the shoot.

Go ahead Ruthy with your bad self!


Portrait

Portrait: Miss Tina

PORTRAITURE

Even in the Bronx you can find a boardwalk near the water. That is if you know where to look.

The wind was blowing really hard that afternoon so Tina's hair had some movement. I really love how she looks with the water in the background. The simplicity of this portrait allows us to focus in on Tina's face and gaze.

- J

Portrait

Portrait: Lady T

PORTRAITURE

You know it was a matter of time before I shared another amazing photo of Tina from our recent photo shoot.

Her looking away adds a mystique to this portrait. Her beauty catches you and her glare peaks the interest into what is going on in her mind.

You rock Tina!

Portrait

Portrait: Glamorous Tina

PORTRAITURE

Miss Tina took a minute to warm up to the photo shoot process. She is a cool friend of mine so it was a great pleasure to work with her in the studio.

After some time she became somewhat comfortable and we were able to get some amazing images.

I love this cover girl/glamorous portrait of Tina. You go girl!

- J

Portrait

Portrait: Mom

PORTRAITURE

I love my mom. She is supportive, classy, wise, and full of love. She has been a great example of caring, love and godliness to me.

A couple of weeks ago I called her to ask her if we could do a photo shoot. She said yes and I was able to get some lovely portraits of her.

Here is one such portrait.

I love you mom!

- J

P.S. - Yes, she does look that young. Great genes.

Portrait

Portrait: Christina and Kevin

PORTRAITURE

This portrait of Christina and Kevin was taken as part of a photo shoot with Harvest Fields Community Church in the Bronx. In designing a new look for the church website, they decided to do a portrait shoot of all the church leadership.

I think Christina and Kevin look great here.

- J


Portrait