Jorge Parra's Pure Visual Energy: From Image Visualization to Publishing

Number 1 rated in Thumbtak

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:34:00 +0000

My post in Thumbtack has been on #1 for months now! Check it out!!
Photographers - Miami, FL

Preview of First Edition of 2011 Portfolio

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:29:00 +0000

Open publication

Dear Fellows.

I am happy and excited to announce the first preview edit of what will become the 2011 Portfolio for the 2nd and 3rd Quarters.

The page matching is still out of sync, and new updates will be done soon.

Still , the spirit of the imaging is already there.

Jorge Parra Photography 2011 Portfolio, 1st Edition

More to come soon...

Hope you enjoy it!!

Jorge

New Editorial Images for BG Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Recently I enjoyed the interesting and fleeting company of NY based Fashion Stylist Aubrey Chung, from Yellowcake Productions, in combo with Stylist and producer Victor Price, from Price of Style, in a brainstorming situation to produce an editorial about Fashion in Paper in just few hours.

Aubrey arrived to Miami from Chicago early in the morning, met with Victor, who arrived from NY the same morning, and prepared an amazing art piece made out of old magazines and newspapers, to be used as background for the editorial.

Creations from amazing designers, like Eduardo de las Casas, Luis Valenzuela, incredible jewelry and out of this world shoes were put together by this great team, to be wore by our fantastic model Pernilla, from Next Models New York.

I arrived around noon to set up and shoot, and by 5 pm Aubrey was already on a plane to Los Angeles and Victor on his way back to NY.

This edition of BG Mag was printed out in Ecuador, and is already available in the US. Other editions of the mag are available worldwide.

More images coming soon in my soon to be revamped website...

Soon!

Jorge

A Photographer's Guide to use of Linkedin as a Professional Networking tool.Part 01

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:32:00 +0000

Dear all.

One of the biggest mistakes made by photographers with regards to LinkedIn is to joining photographer’s groups, since you will be preaching to the choir, and no marketing effort will have any value at all.

The main reason to showcase yourself in LinkedIn is to reach the people who may eventually become your clients, and usually, those do not spend any period of time in photographer’s groups or simply, never join them in the first place.

Put yourself in your client’s shoes and make educated guesses about where would they roam in Linkedin, then join those groups.

For example: My database so far is well over 500 people in LinkedIn, and well over 400 are potential clients: creative directors of advertising agencies, owners of marketing boutiques, editors at nationwide and local magazines, and key people in the luxury markets, in the USA as well as Europe, Japan, South America, etc.

The reason you find so many comments about not getting work from LinkedIn comes from the fact that people are not linking their (best-looking) profile to the right people, in the right groups.

Once you have someone in your network, you have access to his or her email and other contact info, data which LinkedIn allows you to download to your computer to prepare a contact list. By definition, these contacts are opt-in, meaning they are all willing to exchange info with you, so you would not be spamming anyone with your communications or news updates, however, keep in mind that the main goal is to build new, honest business relationships first.

Because you have this personal info, you’re able to send private, personalized emails, to very focused lists of people, those you REALLY want to work with, and make your best effort to reinforce your relationship with those highly specific people. Just last Saturday I got a request to link with one of the editors of Vogue America. I don’t know yet where will this lead, but no doubt, I will cherish and nurture this relationship with this very relevant contact!

So in essence, this is the least you can do with LinkedIn. There is still much more than this, but this in itself is a great thing, much more useful and powerful than the “personal messaging” on Facebook or any other social network media. I’m not saying FB is not another tool to explore, just that the ROI in time and effort vs. effectiveness, by far favors LinkedIn.

To this end, I consider Linkedin a Professional Networking Media, not a Social Networking Media. The difference is huge, to say the least.

For more details about How-To use Linkedin, check part 2 of this post in Blake Discher's Blog

The Jorge Parra's Conexxions Series at Production Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Please take a look and enjoy a sample portfolio, published in the Miami Issue of Production Paradise, of the "Conexxions Series" , a group of fashion images from different Editorial and Advertising shootings with the ability of telling a story in one shot.

http://www.productionparadise.com/member/miami/jorge-parra-photography.html

More of this coming in the revamped website that is being in the works for quite some time now and will launch soon...

Cheers!!

Upcycled Couture by Luis Valenzuela, Green Shows at New York Fashion Week s/s 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Miami Fashion designer Luis Valenzuela, introduced his "Upcycled Couture Dresses", part of his EcoArtFashion Project, during The Green Shows at the New York Fashion Week s/s 2011, creating a magnificent collection of couture dresses made out of recycled fabrics.

The first upload of a series of projects involving image streaming, motion works , stills and video by Jorge Parra, from Jorge Parra Photography.

Stay tuned for more Conceptual Fashion, Beauty and Fine Art Projects, to be published in our own YouTube Channel soon!!.

Cheers!

Venezuelan Actor Edgar Ramirez hits the big screen in Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 13:05:00 +0000

It is great to hear great news about hard working venezuelan talent like movie star Edgar Ramirez.

After playing as executioner to Matt Damon in "The Bourne Ultimatum", he has finished filming as Carlos "El Chacal" fictionalized version of the former terrorist's life, now imprisoned for life.
Written and Directed by french Director Olivier Assayas, the 5 hour film, shot in 8 different countries, and Edgar's performance have been nominated to the "Cesar Awards", the French equivalent to the american Oscars.
American film critic Todd McCarthy made the remarkable comparison of Edgar's performance as Carlos to Marlon Brandon's Godfather. This is no small feat!

Edgar has also been appointed United Nation's Good Will Delegate for the Childhood Fund (UNICEF). His former education in diplomatic law and his full knowledge of 5 languages make him ideal for the role.

I had the chance to photograph Edgar for The Urban Bikini Project, playing the role of a Pimp, running an auction to sell no other than latinamerican super-bombshell Chiqui Delgado, some time ago.

It's so easy to shoot with actors and actresses!! I guess photographers shooting with talent become some kind of directors too, when setting up conceptual fashion photography, where great results will largely depend on the acting.

Best of luck to you Edgar!! Keep up the hard work!!

Cheers!

Jorge

Canon editor's Choice for Advertising and Fashion Images, selected by David Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:11:00 +0000

David Harris, British Creative Director at Wunderman's helped Canon Professional Network (CPN) with the Editor's Choice for Fashion and Advertising Images.

Only 28 photos were finally chosen out of some few thousand submissions.

One of my images from my "Altered Statements" series was selected in this portfolio.

Lots of european photographers, and only 2 US shooters in the mix...

Can't be any happier!!

See all of Canon Editor's Choice for fashion and advertising here

Just a little self-pampering note, when one realizes others like your work as much as you like it yourself.

Cheers!

Canon editor's Choice for Advertising and Fashion Images, selected by David Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:09:00 +0000

David Harris, British Creative Director at Wunderman's helped Canon Professional Network (CPN) with the Editor's Choice for Fashion and Advertising Images.

Only 28 photos were finally chosen our some few thousand submissions.

One of my images from my "Altered Statements" series was selected in this portfolio.

Lots of european photographers, and only 2 US shooters in the mix... Can't be any happier!!

See all of Canon Editor's Choice for fashion and advertising here

Just a little self-pampering note, when one realizes others like your work as much as you like it yourself.

Cheers!

New Editorial Images for Cravings South Florida Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:57:00 +0000

The latest issue of Cravings South Florida Magazine has an editorial with some images shot with a great couple of models, Jessika Dikstra from Next Model Management and Marie-Charlotte Mahul from Elite Models.

Images, both published and not published, can be seen in my Facebook Business page or just click here

Cravings SFL Fashion Editorial by Jorge Parra

Enjoy!!

Daniela, Dafne and Victoria: The Miracle of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:06:00 +0000

I take a break from my work to talk a bit about my life.

Back when I was a young adult, I could have never imagined, not even in my wildest imaginations and daydreamings, that life was gonna make me witness and participant of this magnificent miracle of life, and enjoy this fantastic gift, this amazing and huge miracle, of having 3 beautiful kids, and all girls!!

So there they are, Daniela, Dafne and Victoria, giving me an everyday dose of why I am doing my everyday fights, why there is always a reason to be alive, and be totally thankful for it, why to keep pursuing light and enlightenment.

3 different manifestations of my own self, and yet each one so independent and unique, Daniela, always so rational, Dafne, so peculiar in her ways, and Victoria, still a magic Faery, all 3 tied up by all those invisible threads love and nature bring together into a special fabric, something with no name, no size, no form, yet big and tangible and solid as a rock.

It is unusual for us humans to stop and say thank you, and yet it is so liberating when it expresses a real feeling!
I am sure none of my girls would even understand this, but I just can't thank them enough for just being there, and being who they are, how they are. All of my adult life has been reshaped over and over, revolving around their presence, while still experimenting things and pursuing light for my own achievements, just to be able to offer them more of my love, in different forms and manifestations.

One thing that is truly amazing, is how unique it is to be able feel and express unconditional love, this deep sensation in your body that tells you that you can love someone with no restrictions, no limits, no thoughts, no logic, no boundaries.
This deep, wide-open love can only happen with your own sons, in my case, my daughters, and unconditional love is the best feeling you can ever have in your heart.

So I am the luckiest person to enjoy the miracle of life, and being touched by the opportunity to give unconditional love to my girls, and enjoy this miracle every minute of my life.

Daniela, Dafne and Victoria, thank you, my babies!!

You are the best source of Pure Visual Energy I will ever enjoy.

UrDad.

New York Fashion Week s/s 2011 and The Green Shows. Eco-Activism vs Glamour

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:46:00 +0000

I was glad and curious to attend the The Green Shows at the New York Fashion Week this week, presenting a group of fashion designers who are working on sustainability by way of reusing and recycling materials , fabrics and objects that many would consider trash or rejects, and transform them into fashion garments.

The interesting thing, as I saw it, is that there is still a good way to go before most of those products can be truly marketable into mainstream or even boutique stores.

The simple reason for this is that the designers are still too involved in their Eco-friendly/Green Activism, most designers have a defined background and participation in environmental/Green causes and therefore, many designs and pieces only convey a statement, sometimes a protest, sometimes an irony, and activism has to be "toned down" into a more refined and subtle form, so the message is still there, but the glamour, usability and good-looking factors prevail. We are talking fashion here!

It was notable to see lots of designers like LAVUK, Auralis, and Samantha Pleet working with recycled fabrics, and going more towards casual and party wear. Other great collections like the "Black Label" by british designer Ashton Michael introduced greatly designed pieces from recycled fabrics and natural products, for a very targeted population of young, androgynous consumers, lovers of the post apocalyptic look.

It is for this very reason, that the most remarkable looks, putting together a great deal of elegance, form and function while still conveying the green message, are the High Fashion designs for the "Upcycled Couture" Collection by Miami designer Luis Valenzuela, bringing class, style and forward thinking to the Green evolution, in atmosphere of luxury and glamour. His shoes made a remarkable presence, and he was one of the few designers to present shoes of his own creation.

I don't see any reason why green and recycled has to convey a message of wear, deterioration, only post nuke attitudes and solutions. Homeless people, specially in New York, are masters at recycling garbage , and trust me, they don'k look great!

Backstage at the Green Shows, I spotted shirts and dresses left behind from some of the presentations. Does this mean that the designers just wanted to showcase the look - or rather the message- in the runway and just immediately after the event those pieces became garbage for real? Integration of green fashion design into a marketable product needs more than than just an eco-friendly message.

The Green Design for fashion is still in it's early stages, no doubt much advanced than the Green Shows of last year, where most dresses were unwearable, they were just a protest, an activist's message, but not a truly fashionable thing.
The 2011 S/S collections bring an air of freshness, and true approach to real fashion design, and, if the movement does not slow down, and goes beyond being a trendy thing of the moment, we should see great solutions and great looks moving together for a future in which trash will have to be renamed , given the high value it may have in the proper hands of these true fashion designers.

For More images, just visit my FaceBook Business Page

Jorge Parra

Great Art keeps coming to Miami, to stay!

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:06:00 +0000

I am so glad of having met with my old friend Carlos Cabeza here in Miami.

Carlos is great artist who has been living and working in Paris for more than 20 years, doing amazing work for companies like Capellini, plus many international exhibits.

His name in the Art world dates back to the time when he was assistant to Jesus Soto, the creator and major developer of Kinetic Art.
Carlos is now bringing some of his energy to Miami, and we will see a great show in October, when the new Oscar Ascanio Gallery will finally open doors in Winwood.
Oscar also deserves a warm welcome, because he is one of the most respected Gallery owners in Latin America, having published, edited and curated more than 30 books on Latin American Art, and from now on, we will have him permanently in Miami.

I had the chance to shoot an interesting portrait of Carlos immersed in one of his art installations, and also giving final touches to a very long ( 6 mt long) piece which will be on display at the opening. Carlos is also inviting local artist from Miami to a gallery in Paris he is curating for, as to create an Art Bridge between the 2 cities.

Carlos and Oscar, you are very welcome to Miami!!

Cheers!

Jorge

Jorge Parra's Interview for Select Magazine issue 64

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:00:00 +0000

You are all invited to read my recent interview for Select Magazine, Issue 64, in the Miami Photographers section, where I speak of my process to relocate from Venezuela to the USA, and my life in a country that has welcomed me dearly.

http://tinyurl.com/selectmag64/

Enjoy!!

Jorge

Gallery Opening: "Body Alchemy" by Jorge Parra in South Beach, June 3rd.

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Dear Friends

You are welcome to the opening of this special solo show from photographer Jorge Parra, showcasing for the very first time ever, his Chemo-Digital Prints, developed for a long term, and still ongoing project, "Body Alchemy", exploring the human form.

The ArtDecoMiami Gallery, located in the heart of South Beach, is the perfect setting for this exhibition, a blend of Fashion and Fine Art photography, that is clearly seen in most of Jorge's personal and commercial work.

In this case, the human figure is the canvas for a transmutation process into a new visual expression, because it goes far beyond the original beauty and sensuality of the human body which originated the visuals in the first place, by using combined analog (darkroom) and digital (lightroom) techniques.

Opening: Thursday, June 3rd at 7:30 pm

Address is: ArtDecoMiami Gallery.
1528 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Exhibition runs from June 23rd through June 30, 2010 from 10 am - 6 pm

See you there!

2 Hours in Mexico City

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:19:00 +0000

While on assignment last week, I had the chance to take a look at the surreal world of Mexico DF, or downtown Mexico, briefly.
The blend of religion icons, specially "La Santa Muerte" (The Saint Death), patron of killers ,robbers and thieves, hand-operated print " companies" that offer you any kind of fake document, including mexican passports, certificates of death, University Diplomas,etc , the ultra famous "free fighters", and other things that popped in front of me, only helped me get more confused about what Mexico is today.

Meantime, taking a look at the Mayan ruins and all historical material gathered at the Antropological Museum, made me realize I was standing in front of the most amazing culture humanity has created, and will make me pursue a large road travel into those regions.

I certainly want to go back to that strange land!

A moment in Time: a New York Times Initiative.

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Hi there!

I just got news about this idea from NYT just on my only free day at Dominican Republic, after a 6 days assignment there.

The concept was to create one shot at 11 am local time on Sunday , May the 2nd. Thousands of shooters were doing likewise in their own locations.

Images will be posted on the Times soon. Follow the link below:

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/readers-11/

Included is my shot for the initiative.

Cheers!

Jorge

Lighting Design Photography by Jorge Parra: The Book

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:57:00 +0000

I have just uploaded the book for the Ankara project of Lighting Design Photography that I shot in February. The Lighting Design Project was the creation of Duilio Passariello, Chief Lighting Designer for LightPlus.

Once more the power of the tools by Issuu.com to make such great looking presentation is appreciated.

You will see more images and comments than those showcased in the website, for obvious reasons.

Enjoy!

Jorge

Beauty and Fashion Photography Recent Editorials by Jorge Parra

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:16:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

This is a compilation of recent Beauty and Fashion Editorials, shot for the American Edition of the french magazine: Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa, during late 2009 and 2010.

Health through the eyes of Beauty, for real.

Make sure to click on "Full Screen" to see the images in full size.

Enjoy!!

Jorge

Synthetic Habitat: Architecture, Interior Design and Lighting Design Photography Website has been totally rebuilt

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Please check my Synthetic Habitat website for my work in the fields of Architecture, Interior Design, and very specially, Lighting Design Photography, an area where only a very few have dared entering and work on, and succeed!.

Although I am mostly and Advertising shooter, working mainly with People,Fashion,Lifestyle, and fine art, I have been contacted by several creatives, architects and Design firms to work in these fields for the last 4 years, and they have been expecting a new, fresh look from me, which I have successfully brought out, and this has made me travel worldwide in different assignments.

I still love to shoot with beautiful models and exotic locations, but I also derive lots of pleasure photographing places and spaces, with my"organic" approach to these visuals, exploring the sensuality, warmth and comfort of the spaces, in a field full of expert technical shooters, with little or no soul.

The blend of styles I can create is a perfect match for campaigns for hotels, spas, resorts, restaurants and private properties.

Check my new site at:

www.SyntheticHabitat.com

and make contact for comments, opinions, critics and suggestions.

Best wishes to all!!

Jorge Parra

An unusual photographic portfolio for a special Lighting Design Project in Ankara, Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:16:00 +0000

Hi everyone

I returned last week from a fine trip to Turkey, where I shot a Lighting Design Project, so my subject matter was light, which is not unusual for a photographer, but it is for a special assignment like this one.

Duilio Passariello from italian descent, Chief designer for Light-Plus, currently living in Madrid, Spain was the mastermind for this pioneering project.
Over 4000 luminaires were installed and programmed, to provide Genclik Park users in Ankara with a very special immersion experience, where the color, light shadows and shapes of all the park changes as you walk.

Duilio contacted me to shoot his art and the gallery below is a sample of what I saw there.

Enjoy the ride....

www.photoshelter.com/gallery/Ankara

Jorge Parra

When Fashion and Fine Art get together

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:43:00 +0000

The fusion of Fashion and Fine Art is always haunting me, and it is so exhilarating whan it happens in such unexpected ways!.

This time, my friend, artist and fashion designer Luis Valenzuela, created a fantastic collection of couture dresses, all made from recycled fabrics and materials, and each dress was an homage to different artists, ranging from Salvador Dali and Frida Khalo to Architects Herzog and DeMeuron. The collection was on exhibit at the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in Miami. Luis called me to set up a shooting with the mannequins wearing the dresses on display, but I came up with bigger plans.

The exhibit was called " Sustainability with Style" and after a great meeting with fashionista and gallery owner Bernice Steinbaum , we used the Gallery location itself to shoot the dresses wore by model Valerie from 305 Models, styled by Gabriel Noda and Daniel Avalos, both from Gabriel Productions.

A small sample of the images shot is showcased here. Here is the slide show( Make sure you clikc on the Full Screen Mode):

Fashion-Fine Art Fusion by Jorge Parra Photography - Images by Jorge Parra

Cheers!

Jorge

A tribute to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): The RAW Book

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:38:00 +0000

Last year I started an interesting photographic project, with a particular difference: It is nothing I have done before , regardless of my 24 years of experience.

I met with Sydney Faye Davis and Melory Johnson, formerly from TopShelf Artists, and Graphic and Web Designer Valerie Snow, and worked out a set of ideas to capture the raw essence of the fighters involved in the Mixed Martial Art Scene.

You can see the preview works at the still unfinished website RAW TRIBUTE

As of today, our potential sponsors are getting ready to start the full funding of the project, which will be shot throughout all of 2010. We are getting ready to move on with shootings nationwide and with proper funding , some shootings in Tokyo and London.

I will be more than happy to announce the publication of the book sometime next year.

Jorge

New Promo campaign in SELECT MAGAZINE

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:54:00 +0000

I am starting out the year with some marketing campaigns in different media. THe first is a print and web campaign in SELECT MAGAZINE

What is shown above is my presence in the mailer to Ad agencies and creatives worldwide. A one full page ad will be available in a special print issue about Miami.

A second promo in Production Paradise website and mailer is also coming out soon.

Jorge Parra

Creativity or Recession: Are Creative Cooperative Alliances part of the Solution in 2010? Part 2 of 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Jorge Parra Photography) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:35:00 +0000

I have just relocated this post to it's native blog at The Creative Brainstorming Hub.

Please read all the info here:

Part 2: http://wp.me/pLD0b-8

Cheers!