about

My name is Julio Javier, aka lujio—that's Julio with the consonants switched. From this comes the name lujiofoto, which I like to write with an ‘f’ as a nod to the ƒ used in photography to symbolize aperture and my Spanish speaking heritage. I have over thirty-five years of experience in photography, more than fifteen of them in the theatre.

I love shooting theatre performances in part because I get to be alone in a dark room where I can move freely following the action, anticipating what's coming, all while everyone involved pretend I'm not even there; it's a feeling I can't put into words. The actors know exactly what to do and say; they are dressed up, and the scenes are beautifully lit—though rather dim, which is where the skill of shooting live theatre truly comes into play.

I hold a Master’s in Architecture and a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production, as well as having studied the Stella Adler technique for more than two years at the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles. All of this has shaped my photography, giving me a unique approach to both what I do and how I do it.

My style in theatre and live performance photography is often described as cinematic, which makes sense given the influence film, and cinematography in particular, had in my architectural and film schooling.

Today, I take a documentary approach to provide photography services for theatre and film productions. I also offer headshot services to actors in the film and theatre industries, bringing a perspective from someone who has also been on their side of the camera.