Julio Vilar Photography, Capturing Your True Colors
If you live or work in White Plains you may recognize Julio Vilar. He is well known along the Mamaroneck Avenue strip, sometimes toting his camera equipment and sometimes not. He’s got a smile for everyone and his easy-going manner has helped him to grow a photography business over the past four years because once he has you in his camera sights, he will capture your true essence.
Vilar is a professional photographer with a focus on portraits and group shots. “I enjoy taking photos of people,” Vilar says, “especially kids. When they smile it is so natural.”
Vilar likes to say he captures your true colors because he prefers working in natural light and will go through 300 to 500 different shots to be sure he catches a person’s inner glow, that special look which is unique to each individual. “I will keep on going until I see that spark,” he says. “Sometimes it appears in a series of shots, just jumps out and you know, that’s the one,” he says.
When it comes to family photos, Vilar looks for the interaction between family members, the small moves and gestures that express relationships, and while not completely candid, these shots bring more to life than the common posed group photo.
With a classical art background and experience in the graphic arts field, Vilar looks for art wherever he goes. With his main clientele living in Westchester and New York City, Vilar says he is constantly scoping out new locations for outdoor shoots.
To capture the best light, Vilar prefers sessions scheduled between 10:30 in the morning to about 2:30 to 3:00 in the afternoon, but there is a magic to the golden tones you can pick up during the early morning or evening hours, he claims. Most sessions take about one hour.
In Westchester there are wonderful parks with beautiful landscapes for backgrounds and in Manhattan, there is a plethora of textured walls and buildings. Vilar tailors his background choices to particular clients. An upfront interview lets him know what a person is looking for. They discuss details and if a client wants a photography session in a certain place he will make it work.
“I often go to people’s homes,” he says. “That sometimes requires moving things around a bit to get the right lighting and balance.”
Vilar also maintains a studio, which is currently being renovated. In the studio Vilar can control the lighting for headshots and create backgrounds for a themed look, especially if the client wants to change outfits.
To pull everything together, Vilar explains he must consider all the details and it is in the details that he believes he has achieved much of his success.
Vilar first developed an interest in photography at the age of 10. His father had a professional camera that he allowed Vilar to use. Today he uses a Nikkon with three different lenses.
After a shoot the images are downloaded digitally to a computer. Vilar knows his way around the computer having been a graphics designer but he says he prefers not to do too much work in Photo Shop. “I like to keep the photography natural,” he says.
From the several hundred shots Vilar takes during a session, he selects 50 to 60 for a selection gallery the client can view online. This takes from three to four hours to do, but is a process Vilar enjoys. “I can’t wait to get back to the computer to download the images after a session,” Vilar admits.
The final product is delivered as prints and on a CD.
To set up a session, Vilar needs at least two to three weeks lead-time because his schedule is busy.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so be sure to visit Vilar’s website at www.jvilarphotography.com. You will be glad you did. The slide show is a pleasure to view and is certain to put a smile on your face.
Vilar can also be reached at 1-888-708-2802 or by e-mail at info@jvilarphotography.com. His Facebook page is www.facebook.com/jvilarpotography.
