BIO (SURVEY STYLE)
GENERAL
Three Names You Go By: Julia, Jules, JZ
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Birthday: March 22, 1980
Parents: Margarita & Nikolai
Father’s occupation: Jeweler
Mother’s occupation: Registered Nurse
Residences: Albany, NY and Moscow, Russia
Formal Education: SUNY Albany, New York
Heroes: My great aunt, Tetia Ania
Mentors: Andrew Zaeh, Bethany Renee Mezick, Laura Sotir
Pets: Minxy & Snowball
Prized Possession: D700 and my TB
Typical Breakfast: chocolate protein shake or large coffee
Philosophy: ”Moscow does not believe in tears.” and “No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious and charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.”-Kurt Vonnegut
Most Memorable Photo Moment: I got to rub Jason Mraz’s stomach….for luck…he’s a Buddah…didn’t you know?
Recent accomplishments: One of the winners in Amateur category Billboard & PDN magazine Year In Photo Contest, WEQX 25th Anniversary CD photography, FLY 92.3 event photographer, on roster for SPIN magazine’s Soundcheck section
Pet Peeve: Fake people and whispering
Recurring Nightmare: Going back to Russia and forgetting my camera
Little Known Fact About Me: Russian is my first language and the accent comes out only when I’m mad and forget to watch what I’m saying or after a recent trip to Moscow
FIRSTS
Live shoot: April 2005, Alter Bridge at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, Jagermeister Music Tour with Fran Strine and the tour crew.
Arena shoot: July 2005, Staind at The Pepsi Arena (now Times Union Center) in Albany
National publication: May 2005 in Fairways & Greens magazine image of with Aaron Lewis of Staind
Paid live shoot: October 2007, Foo Fighters at Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls. Big ups to John Brodeur for hiring me at Metroland.
Job: Waitress at the Hudson Valley Resort
Photography teacher: Mrs. Bennett
Successes: Singing till I was 12
Failures: Diving. I got scrapped from the USSR’s team in training after I broke my left wrist
FAVORITES
Fave Escape: Music, running, catching up with friends, eating, sleeping
Fave Live Music Venue: SPAC
Fave Thing About Photographing Musicians: the lights, music & lyrics
Favorite music: Metric, Silversun Pickups, The Temper Trap, Alkaline Trio, Green Day, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Jason Mraz, Ryan Adams, Shiny Toy Guns, Mae, Anti-Flag, Amy Macdonald, The Strokes, Regina Spektor, Vast, Heavens, Damien Rice, Imogen Heap, Pete Yorn, Vaux, Breaking Benjamin, Howie Day, Garbage, Powerman 5000, ALSOU, Bif Naked, Sum41, Charlotte Martin, Guns N Roses, U2, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, Tori Amos, Jack’s Mannequin, Guster, Travis, Unwritten Law, Maroon5, Led Zepplin, Frank Sinatra, Keane, Train, Ella Fitzgerald, Lifehouse, Billy Holiday, Norah Jones, Elliot Smith, Lifehouse, Madonna, Coldplay, Staind, Pulp, Sarah McLachlan, The Doors, The Presets, the 80’s and this list could go on forever.
Favorite food: Sushi, watermelon, edamame, sweet potato fries with raspberry sauce, WENDY’s, strawberries, lemons, potatoes.
Favorite drinks: Water, Amino Vital, different types of wines
Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell, Audrey Hepburn
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
Favorite in Concert: Mraz on Valentine’s Day 2009. Hugs!
Favorites on Television: Dexter, Fringe, True Blood, 30 Rock, Lie to Me
Favorite Websites To Visit: Facebook, Photojojo
Favorite Addiction: Bejeweled on Facebook
Favorite Local Bars/Clubs: Legends, Tess’s Lark Tavern
Favorite books: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut. MORE: Basketball Diaries, The Plague, Anthem, Jane Eyre, Peter Pan, We The Living, Catch-22, Mary Poppins, Invisible Monsters, Lord of the Flies, 1984, Simulation and Simulacra, Slaughter House 5, Narcissism in American Culture, The Transparency Edge, A Separate Peace, Psychology of Persuasion. I also collect art books, underline my favorite lines in everything I read (and get to keep), clip my favorite photos from magazines and download quote apps off my phone
