Paul Fitzgerald, Editor and Founder of on line magazine UGotStyle, interviews fashion and beauty photographer Julian James Wilde.

PF: Julian, people in the industry can tell your work a mile away. I wonder, in your words, how would you describe your own process in creating a “Julian Wilde Image.”

Julian Wilde: Well… for starters, I have a tendency to see Everything in my head before I shoot anything. Most of the time I won’t even schedule a shoot until I see the entire image, crystal clear, in my mind. It’s like the image is right in front of me; like I’m looking at an 8×10. This visualization can take seconds or if it’s a personal project, it can literally take years. But at the point that it happens and I see the entire thing, I am manic about having to “put it on paper” as soon as possible! The “happy accidents” do happen from time to time and things happen that I cannot forsee; but I’m certainly not dependant on them. But I will compose and crop the image in my mind until I’m happy with it. I also cast my photo shoots like someone would cast a movie. And I think that is important for my style of image-making. For the most part, the models are not really “interchangeable.” Having said this, I would have to admit that there’s a certain amount of “control” in my images. The funny thing is, sometimes something amazing happens that I didn’t forsee and for reasons I don’t understand, I don’t feel as connected to the image. To me, it’s more like a bastard child. It’s not like I don’t enjoy it; but it’s like I have a different relationship to it.

PF: Do you ever find yourself swayed or influenced by the work of other photographers?
JW: Certainly not to the point that I would want to copy another’s work. If only for the reason that it wouldn’t feel like it was “mine.” Maybe, like I said, this relates to my process. For me to relate to one of my images I have to feel like it’s coming from a very deep place inside of me. That’s why, if a client were to hand me a “blueprint” for a shot, that’s a client I would drop. So the people that have had the most success with me are the one’s that say “Do that Wilde thing that you do!”

PF: Can you tell us about how “Table for two” happened?
JW: The attached photo actually happened at a birthday party for one of our dear friends. It was a small private party for one of our models, and right before Shea was going to open one of her presents from us, I had this idea. So to be perfectly honest this entire shot happened in a matter of minutes. And then we were back to drinking champagne! I know that confessing this may fly in the face of everything I’ve said about “planning” everything, but there you go!

Thanks for stopping by! My interview of Paul Fitzgerald/UGot Style Magazine will continue in installments.

Seeya on the Wilde Side.

-JULIAN

 To check out All of Julian Wilde's work: