Blog - Julius July

Dec

Anime NYC 2023

I had the opportunity to attend & cover Anime NYC this year. The Javits Center was filled with panels, vendors, and performances, but obviously the cosplay was the biggest opportunity for photos. One Piece and Chainsaw Man were probably the series with the most cosplay representation. Good times overall. In 2024, Anime NYC will move to August & cover the entire Javits Center so that should be fun.

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Bonus: My outfits

Double bonus: My haul

Dec

Back to Blogging?

I’ve decided to revitalize the abandoned blog section of my website. As more platforms move towards algorithmic feeds & throttled reach, social media is no longer a guaranteed way for your work to be seen. As creators, it’s important for us to have a space where we are fully in charge. It might feel like screaming into the void but I’m sure someone will see this.

Bonus photo of me being styling & sipping on a matcha latte

Jul

Curlfest 2018

Curlfest returned to Prospect Park this weekend and brought out all the ladies. The event celebrating natural hair and beauty, organized by Curly Girl Collective, keeps growing yearly.

Lines were long, with sponsors in attendance giving out products or discounts. I stuck to the less crowded areas as the clouds formed to create the perfect lighting for photos.

Jul

Hustling through Brooklyn with Uber and Spike Lee

Everyone in Brooklyn has a hustle. I guess you can say mine is photography, as well as modeling and acting.

Hustling in Brooklyn is the subject of Uber Presents: Da Republic of Brooklyn, a new series of films by Spike Lee. The series follows 5 Uber drivers navigating their way through the borough.

I’ve teamed up with Uber to create a campaign showcasing the Brooklyn I know. New York’s most populous borough is a place filled with diversity. Because of New York’s history as an immigration hub, most people in the country have some type of connection to Brooklyn. A fast-paced hotspot where something is always happening, Brooklyn fuels hustle.

And how does Uber facilitate my hustle through Brooklyn? When I have acting gigs, sometimes our call times are at crazy, odd hours. So if it’s within reasonable distance, I’ll just call an Uber to get me there quickly. You ever try to catch the subway at 4:30am? It will leave you with nothing but stress and heartache. Or if I’m working on a street shoot on a hot day where I need to be looking my best, I wouldn’t want to sweat through my clothes on the way. But Uber will get you there and have you looking right.

Here is our journey through Brooklyn.

Models: Stephanie, Karen, Sonya, Boshia, Prosper, and myself

Check out more at Uber Presents.

Dec

Art Basel Miami 2017

This weekend brought the annual Art Basel activities to Miami and Miami Beach. I attended for the second time, checking out the fairs, the murals in Wynwood, the parties with free liquor, ran into some familiar faces, and as always in Miami, attempted to eat as much Cuban food as possible. I left exhausted, but I’ll probably still return next year.

Mr. June & Inkie at Basel House

Bertrand Meniel at Art Miami

Donna Glytch in Wynwood, artist unknown

Tristan Eaton at Wynwood Walls, with Malikah

Craig Alan at CONTEXT Art Fair

Cloe Hakakian in Wynwood

Philippe Mastrocola in Wynwood

Chizo in Wynwood

Weerdo1994 in Wynwood

UFO907 & others at Juxtapoz Clubhouse

Mikki in Wynwood, artist unkown

Alexandre Keto for heARTforDreamers in Wynwood

Fati Jafri with her work at The FADER’s Boom Basel party

#happykanye at Basel House

Waleska Nomura in Wynwood

Cloe Hakakian in Wynwood

Laolu at SCOPE, with Malikah

FLOP in Wynwood

Interactive 3D art by Rachel Harris at Juxtapoz Clubhouse

Burglary & Contrabandre in Wynwood

Mark Jenkins & Ron English at Art Miami

DJ Clark Kent at Wywood Walls, Mural by Shepard Fairey

Magnus Sodamin in Wynwood, with Tiarra

Aug

Afropunk 2017

Another year, another Afropunk. The festival keeps growing, with bigger crowds and bigger performers. Saturday was somewhat hard to navigate, with Solange bringing out massive audiences. Sunday was a bit more chill, with Raphael Saadiq closing out the weekend. I feel like I didn’t get as many epic shots as last year, but it was still a fun time. Good seeing everybody!

Jul

Curlfest 2017

Curlfest: Third time attendee, first time blog poster. Curlfest is an annual event in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park organized by Curly Girl Collective celebrating natural hair and beauty. And the celebration keeps growing with more sponsors and more activities. Spike Lee was in attendance this year to discuss his upcoming She’s Gotta Have It Netflix series.

Curlfest has jumped to the top of my favorite NYC events. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by pretty women who like to be photographed? But all jokes aside, it’s a place filled with love and support. I had a good time seeing friends, familiar faces, and meeting new people.

Of course as soon as I left, I realized I had spent all day with the exposure settings on my camera a little too high. But I managed to get some good shots regardless.

Jun

The Mermaid Parade at Coney Island

It rained on our parade, but mermaids are meant to be in the water. The 35th annual Mermaid Parade opened with a downpour, but that didn’t stop the party. I captured some of the overcast activity around the boardwalk as well as the Coney Art Walls. Politics played a heavier role this year, with several costumes and characters taking aim at the Trump administration. Joining me were Christie, Stephanie, Maurice, and Sonya +1.

Jim Drain

Lee Quinones

The London Police

Retna

Ben Eine

Miss Van

Nina Chanel

Eric Haze

Daze

Lady Aiko

Nina Chanel

Nychos

Lee Quinones

Ben Eine

The London Police

Nina Chanel

Eric Haze, Shot by Maurice

Jun

The 8th Annual Welling Court Mural Project

The summer street art events don’t stop. This Saturday was the 8th annual block party for the Welling Court Mural Project, bringing its yearly cycle of murals to the small neighborhood in Astoria, Queens. I was joined by fashion designer Sharufa Walker who brought her colorful style to a few of the colorful walls.

Chris Soria and Marc Evan

Lexi Bella and Danielle Mastrion

Queen Andrea

Chris RWK

Eelco

TooFly

Camille Perrottet

Cey Adams

Elle, Mag Magrela, Shiro, Yes1

Lmnopi

Kwue Molly

Lady Pink

See One

ASVP

Crash

Panic Rodriguez

Turtle Caps

Danielle Mastrion

Rubin 415 and Joe Iurato

Hellbent

TooFly

Chris RWK

Marc Evan

Queen Andrea

Jun

The Bushwick Collective Block Party 2017

Despite the mostly dreary weather in NYC, summer has crept upon us. This means a lot of events to showcase. The Bushwick Collective held its 6th annual block party this weekend, featuring new work from graffiti and street artists, as well as performances from Dipset and other hip-hop artists. I spent the day with familiar faces and making new friends. Thanks to The Stylish Flaneuse for getting the shot of me in the last photo.