My name is Julien Capmeil and I am a NYC based Photographer specializing in Lifestyle and Travel.
I was raised in Sydney, Australia and started taking photos during high school and pursing Photography as a career after college. I was so inspired by the big photographers of the time that I realized I needed to move away to keep learning and developing. So, I packed and left for Paris where I flubbed through my French, banged on doors, and slowly started working. After a few years I wanted to come and experience New York, it has been 20+ years and I'm still in love with this amazing city.
How did you get your start?
I was really drawn to photography but, did not know how to get a foot in the door. So, after college I called around studios in Sydney and offered to work for free to get experience. A studio took me on, and they had 4 photographers in different disciplines, Fashion, Still life and Advertising. So, it was a wonderful way to get a broad view of techniques and play with lighting and camera formats from 35mm film to 8x10.
I would assist for free in the day and then worked as a waiter at night to build my book. Eventually I left for Paris and assisted for free again and work nights to improve my French and make contacts.
It was an adventure, and I was so motivated that it gave me the fundamentals of photography and a solid work ethic.
Could you speak about your style and process?
I like bringing a sense of relaxed and effortless style to my images. So, the viewer can imagine themselves being in that setting and having a similar experience. I am really drawn to bright, vibrant colors that help convey a sense of exotic escapism. I enjoy playing with composition and scale to draw in the viewer and create a dynamic story. It is all about seeing the world around you and enjoying the process.
How has your work evolved?
After a commission for a Conde Nast Traveler Cover, I realized I could meld my love of travel with my fashion work and develop this escapist lifestyle direction. I am always looking for projects that allow me to travel and incorporate the human element, be it in a fashion sense or purely atmospheric. I think we all need to tap into our wanderlust and dream of far-flung places.
Tell us about a recent project.
I just got back from a Cover shoot where we had an immaculate 48-foot Daychaser boat touring around Cayo Costa trying to find just the right location. The weather was beautiful, and everything came together perfectly, which is never a given. I felt really grateful for my wonderful clients that entrust me to capture their vision and give me these incredible opportunities…it’s been an amazing journey from my start in Sydney.