Perry Julien Photography

West Egg Cafe

Last Sunday I tried out brunch with my friend Anna at the quirky West Egg Cafe off of Howell Mill Rd. I’m a big fan of the developing hoity-toity Westside (Octane; Room and Board) and the art galleries that will soon open in this industrial turned hip neighborhood. After embarrassing ourselves by unsuccessfully trying to enter in the back fire-exit door, I made it inside and was immediately drawn to the art photography decorating the walls. Fashion, femme fatale, romantic, and forward were my initial thoughts. Enamored I got up to find out who the artist was and snapped a pic with my phone to follow up:

Showing at the West Egg Cafe the exhibit Eclectic Music Eclectic Fashion until August 30th, I present to you Atlanta photographer Perry Julien; who was gracious to answer a few questions about himself and his art for fem-fATL.com!

Tell us a little background on yourself. Are you an original Atlantan? If so, what part did you grow up in? What are your favorite Atlanta spots?

I am originally from New York and lived in Long Island, upstate New York and New York City before moving to Atlanta.  I was initially drawn to Little 5 Points in Atlanta because it reminded me of where I lived in the East Village in NYC.  I still spend alot of time in Little 5, East Atlanta and many of the in-town neighborhoods.

How long have you been doing photography? Are you school taught or self taught? How would you describe your photographic style?

My father was a photographer and I had a camera in my hand when I was around 4 years old.  I studied photography in high school but beyond that I am self taught.  In my teens I found the best way to combine my passion for music and photography was to start taking photos at concerts.  When not shooting music I like to photograph alternative fashion and intriguing people.  My style tends to be somewhat eclectic,  getting my inspiration from where we are shooting and the creative interaction with the people I am photographing.

You seem to really be into music and fashion photography. Please tell us what you think about the music and fashion scene in Atlanta. How do you think Atlanta’s scene compares to NY and LA, where you also do shoots?

I think for me New York City is and will always be the creative center of the planet. I still travel back several times a year to do shoots there.  That being said Atlanta has a growing fashion scene and musically has alot to offer.  The city attracts many well known bands at larger venues such as Phillips Arena, The Tabernacle, and Chastain Park, but on any given night you can find great music at venues that rival NYC clubs such as The Variety Playhouse, The EARL, and Smiths Olde Bar among others.  There is also a very good local music scene here with several Atlanta-based bands now receiving national exposure for their music.  Most of my music photography has taken place in Atlanta venues!

What was the theme and your inspiration for the fashion shoot you took in the following pictures:

www.julienphotography.com

These three photographs were taken at The Fox Theatre.  I often photograph to music or thinking about song lyrics or titles when I shoot (or afterwards).  The model in these photographs is Julia Badovinac who is also an aspiring fashion designer here in Atlanta.  The first photo was inspired by Queen’s A Night at the Opera, with Julia wearing a vintage dress her grandmother actually made for her mother.  The other two photos below feature one of Julia’s designs.  I think fashion images become much more compelling when the model and the location make the photograph more evocative, rather than just a posed studio picture.

Below are some of my favorite pictures (but I saw on your online site they were not from the Atlanta Fashion section)!!!! Tell us about these.

The two photos below were taken at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City last December.  The white dress is from The Clothing Warehouse in Little 5 Points and the dress with the red roses is another of Julia Badovinac’s designs.  The inspiration for the photograph of the girl in the window is an Avett Brothers song: Famous Flower of Manhattan.

Famous Flower of Manhattan

I am not very good at critiquing my photography but a friend at Rhode Island School of Design wrote about these two photographs ” …they are unexpected and do not provide the viewer with all the answers as to what is happening and why it’s happening in the scene.  You present a cryptic perspective that makes the viewer want to see what else you have to offer”.

Perry Julien Photography

When a photograph can evoke this response it then becomes a visual expression of the creative connection between the photographer and the model.  This is the way I like to shoot, continuing to push the boundaries of my photography and exploring new ways to capture unique and compelling photographs.  Atlanta has much to offer in inspiration to make this happen.

The exhibition  Eclectic Music Eclectic Fashion
Photographs by Perry Julien is showing at West Egg Cafe until August 30
www.julienphotography.com