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LA-based photographer Michael Julius centers his work on capturing moments in time. His film photography blends a classic feel with his modern fashion imagery and adds a candid authenticity to brands looking to create timeless content. In a recent assignment for New Republic footwear, Michael paired the talent’s rockstar style with his film work to stage a versatile shoot with a vintage look and youthful feel.
I was brought on just to shoot film for this project and that was music to my ears.
Michael has worked closely with New Republic over the last year to photograph their footwear all over LA. His lifestyle images give the brand relatability by showcasing their footwear in the real world among recognizable landmarks, like the Beverly Hills Hotel Resort.
For this assignment, Michael ventured to LA’s up-and-coming district, Silver Lake, which set the tone for this youthful lifestyle and product shoot. He worked with model and musician Jaxon Rose who plays guitar in a band called Sunrose. Jaxon’s personal style — both on and off the stage — is inspired by old-school rock artists and Michael leaned into the look, creating images that fit the vibe while showcasing the brand’s Sonoma boot.
The model already had this awesome “Lenny Kravitz” vibe so we just ran with it and created a rockstar-inspired shoot.
The shoot took place in a private home and the space’s rooftop provided opportunities for Michael to capture interesting angles of the subject and the footwear. The bright cloudless sky and abundance of palm trees contrasted with the black leather and suede of the subject’s attire. Michael also photographed the model on the roof from the inside of the house, and from the street below to add a paparazzi-style that fit with the celebrity theme.
When I get to a spot I check out the full location to see what I like. I found a walkway up to the roof and knew where I wanted to start immediately.
The California midday sun added a desert-rock quality to some of the images while others take on a dark and moody tone. The team wanted to shoot close to sunset to capitalize on the golden hues of the sky, however, there was little time for them to work once dusk fell.
The model was awesome to work with and he understood very quickly how we wanted the shoot to feel, so we didn’t waste any time once on location.
Michael is a self-professed “film junkie” and would happily forgo expensive equipment for the chance to work with this intentional and patient medium. His style adds a vintage quality to any brand seeking to craft imagery with an ageless feel, and aligned well with New Republic’s intention for the campaign.
I am obsessed with using my Nikon F6 and I love how the old-school shutter feels. I really appreciated that the client wanted to feature the footwear in a vintage style.
Michael’s more candid approach to this style of fashion photography aided him in producing content that speaks to New Republic’s versatile audience. While classic footwear can be also found in professional settings, Michael’s images bring adaptability to the client’s story and help illustrate the eclectic lifestyles of their customers.
The team and I had a ton of fun just creating as the day went on. The shoot was about shoes, but the client and I wanted it to feel more about the moment and the man wearing them.
Photographer: Michael Julius
Producer, Stylist: Marion Coret
Model: Jaxon Rose