Julie is an adventure travel photographer and photojournalist that has traveled all over the globe to photograph exotic wildlife, intriguing people, and majestic landscapes. Julie’s latest body of work "Images of India" will be on display and we encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at her stunning pictures!
Foto Care: Tell us about yourself and how you got into photography?
Julie Maris/Semel: My interest in photography began at age three in my Dad’s darkroom where I watched prints develop—like magic. With a camera in hand by age seven, I discovered travel photography as a teenager. Later, I met Bill Maris, a well-known architectural photographer, who became my mentor. I moved from assistant to associate to partner. Since his death, I have produced architectural and garden stories for editorial clients that include Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, and Design New England magazines. For the past fifteen years, I have also been photographing adventure travel. From trips to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, Asia, and Africa, my photographs cover people, landscapes, wildlife, and World Heritage sites. Many of my photos have been featured in brochures for Quark Expeditions, TCS Expeditions, and Country Walkers. My photographs have also appeared on the websites of Nikon and Perkins Center for the Arts.
Julie Maris/Semel: My interest in photography began at age three in my Dad’s darkroom where I watched prints develop—like magic. With a camera in hand by age seven, I discovered travel photography as a teenager. Later, I met Bill Maris, a well-known architectural photographer, who became my mentor. I moved from assistant to associate to partner. Since his death, I have produced architectural and garden stories for editorial clients that include Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, and Design New England magazines. For the past fifteen years, I have also been photographing adventure travel. From trips to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, Asia, and Africa, my photographs cover people, landscapes, wildlife, and World Heritage sites. Many of my photos have been featured in brochures for Quark Expeditions, TCS Expeditions, and Country Walkers. My photographs have also appeared on the websites of Nikon and Perkins Center for the Arts.
FC: What was your break out job that helped launch your career?
JMS: Shooting for Marine Expeditions’ and Quark Expeditions' brochures in Antarctica.
JMS: Shooting for Marine Expeditions’ and Quark Expeditions' brochures in Antarctica.
JMS: Photographing in Antarctica and the Arctic on Russian icebreakers. I’ve been incredibly fortunate that I had several opportunities to shoot breath-taking scenery with its unique light and amazing wildlife that also presented technical and physical challenges.
FC: Where do you draw your inspiration?
JMS: When photographing people, even with language barriers, instant communication usually results from a smile and holding the camera. The quality of light, especially in Antarctica, was mind-boggling and made it difficult to take a bad photo.
JMS: When photographing people, even with language barriers, instant communication usually results from a smile and holding the camera. The quality of light, especially in Antarctica, was mind-boggling and made it difficult to take a bad photo.
FC: What do you do to market your services?
JMS: I attend marketing events sponsored by national tourist boards and trade organizations, such as the NY Times Travel Show and professional travel organizations that include PATA and APTA, with follow-up personal emails.
JMS: I attend marketing events sponsored by national tourist boards and trade organizations, such as the NY Times Travel Show and professional travel organizations that include PATA and APTA, with follow-up personal emails.
FC: Do you use social media as part of your marketing mix? Do you think it is effective?
JMS: It’s effective but I don’t have the expertise to do it well so I only use LinkedIn. It would be a full-time job for an assistant if I had one.
JMS: It’s effective but I don’t have the expertise to do it well so I only use LinkedIn. It would be a full-time job for an assistant if I had one.
FC: How has your work changed in the last few years?
JMS: Everyone is a photographer, everyone has an iPhone or a point-and-shoot, everyone is a blogger, and rarely is one paid for Internet images or articles. Editorial and print rates are half of those paid twenty years ago. Therefore, there’s virtually no income or work-for-hire, as everyone seems to be giving away photos. It doesn’t matter that professional photographs are better when free photographs are “good enough” for former clients that are increasingly more concerned about saving money than about quality. Because of my editorial background, I have the ability to develop comprehensive stories for publication and have been a photojournalist the past several years writing and shooting travel articles.
JMS: Everyone is a photographer, everyone has an iPhone or a point-and-shoot, everyone is a blogger, and rarely is one paid for Internet images or articles. Editorial and print rates are half of those paid twenty years ago. Therefore, there’s virtually no income or work-for-hire, as everyone seems to be giving away photos. It doesn’t matter that professional photographs are better when free photographs are “good enough” for former clients that are increasingly more concerned about saving money than about quality. Because of my editorial background, I have the ability to develop comprehensive stories for publication and have been a photojournalist the past several years writing and shooting travel articles.
JMS: I’m constantly re-inventing myself and wonder about the future for professional photographers for the above-mentioned reasons. I’ve considered video using the latest technology and cameras, but that needs a number of new tools and time to establish one’s credentials. There is no learning curve: it’s an angle that begins at a base line and continues to infinity. One must be constantly up-to-date with the latest technology or have the ability to hire assistants proficient in the latest software and trends.
FC: What equipment are you currently using to produce your work?
JMS: I love my Nikon D3 body and Nikon lenses and primarily use the 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 80-400mm. I prefer to shoot with two cameras and two lenses and carry the 16-35mm in my backpack. On location, I carry a Mac laptop and a LaCie external hard drive.
JMS: I love my Nikon D3 body and Nikon lenses and primarily use the 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 80-400mm. I prefer to shoot with two cameras and two lenses and carry the 16-35mm in my backpack. On location, I carry a Mac laptop and a LaCie external hard drive.
FC: What equipment would you most like to own but don’t yet have?
JMS: I’m in the process of deciding which Nikon body to buy and am leaning towards the Nikon D4.
JMS: I’m in the process of deciding which Nikon body to buy and am leaning towards the Nikon D4.
FC: Do you work with video? Have you stepped into the hybrid video market at all?
JMS: The Nikon D4 might be my first video camera but the additional external microphone and brace needed might be a handicap to my present shooting style.
JMS: The Nikon D4 might be my first video camera but the additional external microphone and brace needed might be a handicap to my present shooting style.
FC: When/how did you first hear about Foto Care?
JMS: I’ve been a customer for over twenty-five years.
JMS: I’ve been a customer for over twenty-five years.
FC: What is it about Foto Care that brings your back?
JMS: The staff is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and supportive.
JMS: The staff is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and supportive.
We're excited about Julie's photographs, and we want to share her work with you! Please come by on April 2nd and enjoy the show, which will remain on display in rentals for a few weeks after the opening.
To see more of Julie's work, visit her site at http://www.juliemarissemel.com
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