From Street to Studio: Discovering My Voice as an Artist
In 2007, I embarked on a journey that would shape the trajectory of my photography. I traveled to the picturesque village of Collioure, France—a place steeped in history, where the Mediterranean light dances off cobblestone streets and colorful facades. My mission was to capture the portraits of a unique group: the elders of Collioure, individuals aged 85 and older.
With the help of my aunt Marie-Françoise, who knew the rhythm of the village intimately, I began asking a poignant question: Who are the forgotten heroes of this storied region? This inquiry led me into an extraordinary realm—a little surreal and entirely magical—where living legends walked among us.
Through their faces, I found a blend of history and humanity. These were the keepers of fantastical stories, the holders of memories etched into their features, and the witnesses to events that spanned nearly a century. Each portrait felt like an introduction to another world—moments where history, myth, and real people met through the lens of my camera. (View limited signed prints)
Collioure became more than just a backdrop; it became a co-author in this project. The village's vibrant culture and its rich traditions echoed in every photograph I took. This was not merely street photography—it was a deep dive into the essence of its people, capturing their strength, beauty, and spirit before their stories faded into history. Illuminating the lives of those who have often been overlooked in an era that tends to idolize youthfulness.
This project taught me something profound: I had what it took to capture a beautiful portrait. By 2007, I had already spent a decade in photography, but I had never seen myself as an artist. I was a photographer, sure, but “artist” felt like a title for someone else. Yet, as I wandered the streets of Collioure and engaged with its elders, my passion for people and their stories kept pulling me forward, opening my eyes to something deeper within myself.
Through the medium of black-and-white photography, I found the tools to focus on what mattered most to me: human connection. There’s something extraordinary about the raw simplicity of black-and-white imagery—it distills a moment, allowing the essence of a person to emerge unfiltered. In Collioure, I began to see that it wasn’t just the streets, the history, or even the stories that fueled my passion; it was the connection—the magic of truly seeing someone and having them see me in return.
That realization stayed with me and eventually reshaped how I approached photography. I came to understand that it wasn’t the streets, but the connections, that mattered most. Meeting people in my studio opened the door to endless extraordinary interactions, each as rich and rewarding as those I encountered in Collioure.
In the studio, I found a different kind of intimacy—a space where trust and collaboration flourish, where stories unfold in unexpected ways, and where the extraordinary nature of humanity reveals itself anew. What started in the streets of Collioure was more than a project—it was the beginning of my journey as an artist.
Before Collioure, my main focus—and my livelihood—was wedding photography. It was a career I fell into as a young 20-year-old in the Dominican Republic, working for a company called Foto Plata. My role started modestly, capturing images of tourists in resorts—sometimes with a parrot perched on their shoulder! But within weeks, I was trusted to photograph one-hour weddings, a significant step up that marked the beginning of my journey as a professional photographer.
When I moved to Canada, I launched my own business, Seize the Moment Photography, specializing in weddings. I loved the joy and energy of wedding photography—those fleeting moments that brim with emotion and connection. But even then, it was the intimate stories of individuals and families that truly captivated me.
The Elders of Collioure project marked a turning point. It awakened something deeper in me, redirecting my focus and redefining my purpose. It wasn’t just about capturing memories—it was about celebrating the extraordinary in every person and creating something timeless. That realization led to the birth of Jerome - Photographer and, later, Jerome Art & Photography.
For the past ten years, I have dedicated myself exclusively to portraiture, focusing on individuals and families. Each session is no longer just a service but an artistic project—a collaboration to tell their unique stories through my lens.
One of the most defining moments of this journey came during a session with a returning client, Sarah. I had photographed her wedding years earlier, and now she wanted portraits of her family, including her parents, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The session was more than a photoshoot; it was a reflection of their legacy—decades of love, resilience, and connection captured in a single frame.
As I guided Sarah and her parents through the session, I saw them relax and reveal moments of affection, humor, and pride that felt profoundly intimate. In their faces, I saw not just a family, but a story—the story of a couple who had built a life together, supported one another, and created a family that radiated their values.
When Sarah saw the final portraits, she was overwhelmed. She called the images "the most precious gift" she could give her parents and herself. For me, it was a confirmation of what I had learned years ago in Collioure: every person is extraordinary, and my job as an artist is to bring that out in ways that resonate deeply.
While the pandemic brought a slight hiatus, it also reinforced the value of connection and storytelling in my work. Today, every client who steps through my doors is an opportunity to create something extraordinary—a legacy captured in portraits that transcend time.
