"Photomyne Presents" showcases inspiring and original stories about the power of photos and memories, told by Photomyne. Each story puts a spotlight on the people that passionately work to preserve memories and celebrate our legacies.
Photo Julie photography studio owners Ella Barak and Nurit Egozi Weiner seek to reinstate the ceremonious tradition behind analog photo taking, one group portrait at a time.
The Tel Aviv based studio prides itself in reviving the vintage, old-fashioned way of taking a professional portrait. Aside from using analog equipment to take portraits and process the film, the studio also serves as a rare venue where people connect with each other in the physical world.
“In today’s world of instant-everything, the value of family and group portraits has taken a hit. We try to counter that by reviving this analog tradition in a predominantly digital world.” -Ella Barak
What inspires customers to flock the studio? For the most part, it's family celebrations and important life milestones. Anniversaries, family reunions, pregnancy and births are only some of the rationales behind Photo Julie's group portraits.
The portraits
Here are some examples of the final group portraits people have taken at Photo Julie. As you can see, each portrait is an entire world of infinite nuances. Gorgeous moments caught on camera.
Courtesy of Photo Julie
Courtesy of Photo Julie
Courtesy of Photo Julie
Courtesy of Photo Julie
Customers share the experience
Dafna brought her parents to have the family's portrait taken to celebrate the parents' anniversary: “The type of photos this studio creates is different. It’s analog, and we’re not used to it these days. Each of us has a camera in the smartphone, and we're so used to instant gratification. It’s really nice to slow down a little bit and work with a single monumental frame as opposed to 20 meaningless selfies... This portrait is something we will remember forever.”
Dafna and her parents, courtesy of Photo Julie
Prof. Moshe Hoffman brought his entire family to the studio to have the family's portrait taken: “It’s so important. We came here so our grandchildren will one day see this picture on the wall and say ‘here’s grandpa, grandma, and here’s me.’ These photos will stay forever.”
Prof. Hoffman, his wife Sara and their family, courtesy of Photo Julie
Zruia's grandkids wanted to surprise her with a special family photo. Zruia said that "the fact that we spent this time together, this is what made this day so special and it will last forever even when I’m gone.” One of her granddaughters Adi added: "We wanted to give grandma a special gift for her 80th birthday. We wished it to be something all of us will always remember. This family portrait was the perfect idea. I’m so glad we did it.”
Zruia (center) with all her grandchildren
What's the common factor driving all these different people to the studio to have their group picture taken? Perhaps it's the desire - some might even argue hope, to immortalize family connections and identities. It seems the need for preserving collective memory is, after all, a basic human aspiration.
About the studio
Ella and Nurit are two artists and photographers from Tel Aviv who met in art school. Both were looking for a way to apply their love for old photography and people - that's how Photo Julie was created. The studio is dedicated to practicing analog portrait photography for the purpose of bringing back the magic of old-world photography.
Ella (left) and Nurit
For more beautiful portrait photos and to get in touch with Photo Julie, check out the studio's website (Hebrew only).
