Miami Music Week 2024 | Epic Pool Parties | Day 1 | DJ Mag
Day 1 of Miami Music Week 2024 at the Sagamore South Beach for DJ Mag, featuring Antor, Aqutie, Chloé Caillet, Joseph Capriati, Louie Vega, & Ms. Mada
All images © 2024, Stuart Tracte Photography. Please send an email to contact@stuarttracte.photography for high-resolution, usage. or for purchase/printed images.
(click images to enlarge)
Set 2
Set 3
4 Days of Self Portraits | Years of Frustration | October 23, 24, 25, & 27
I embarked on a personal & creative journey that got cut short by COVID. I’ll pick it back up in 2024.
It’s been a truly fantastic year for me as a photographer, both professionally and creatively. I have a lifetime more to learn, but in year 10 of this journey, I think somewhere in the second half of the year, my work took a leap. I feel it. A new confidence and competence.
But this is exactly what led to a lot of deep frustration in the second half of the year as well. During my 6 weeks of rehab from elbow surgery, I took some time, did some research and upgraded some equipment as well as purchased some gear to begin a journey into filmmaking and videography. But… I couldn’t find people to experiment with! It’s extremely frustrating to be putting all of this love and energy into the world, knowing you have at the very least, some level of competence, yet can’t get people to commit to creating together. I love Miami for many reasons, but this city does not have the creative hustle that I felt and experienced before I moved here, back in NYC.
It’s also challenging, as I grow my business, to find the balance between collaboration and commerce. Potential clients rarely understand this. But, it’s like… some of this is for passion, and growth, and learning, and trying new things. Some of this is for the incredible and beautiful and powerful energies of true collaboration; when two or more people bring equal parts of their creative energy to create something together. This can surely happen and oftentimes does with my clients, but, I must admit, I’m having difficulty finding creative collaborators who aren’t just trying to get free photos… You know the type… they want me to do it all. Plan, moodboard, find hair and makeup people who want to work for free, direct the shoot, edit the photos…. THATS MY JOB. YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. If you want to make cool shit with me, you’ve got to bring more to the table than just a pretty face. Bring the energy! Work WITH me. I don’t work for you in these circumstances. When it feels like work, it isn’t a creative collaboration, its my job. /endrant
I hate selfies. I don’t like to be in photos all that much. I’m insecure about my teeth. There’s a million reasons I would rather be behind the camera. But this has also been a year of personal growth for me. I lost about 50 lbs this year. I enacted an exercise regimen, that I didn’t miss a day from Jan 1 through my surgery on July 11. I changed my work/sleep habits to add strict discipline to my waking and sleeping hours. And I attended a handful of conscious events that made me realize I’m not the only weirdo in the world. That if I took the time to seek out approving people, I would find the welcoming approval I seek.
So, between this frustration in finding true creative collaborators and then having the YouTube algorithm fed me THIS video, from the extremely talented and equally thoughtful photographer, Taylor Pendleton, I knew I had to give it a shot. If there’s nobody to collab with... collab with yourself! I feel like this project has limitless potential. It also brought to my attention some of these aforementioned insecurities.
Unfortunately, after only 4 out of 5 days sticking to the commitment of shooting self portraits every day, and imagining how this would evolve both my relationship with myself and my technical skills as a photographer…. I got COVID again. I lost two weeks, then got insanely busy with client work, and therefore only have 4 short basic self-portrait sessions to share with you all.
One of my goals for 2024 is to do more of this, and gain the self-confidence and technical skills that come as a result of working on this project.
Without further ado… ME! 🙈 (I need to smile more. I know.)
Day 2
Day 3 (click images to enlarge)
Day 4 (click images to enlarge)
Finally, Nicole | September 14, 2023
Nicole Gazo finally showed up, we shot some amazing images AND had some really important conversation about the state of fashion, instagram, and modeling.
Nicole and I have been going back and forth for almost a year about shooting. It’s difficult when you cold solicit someone on Instagram, and hope they’ll give you a shot to work together. We’d talked for a while about shooting, and after too many misfires, I kind of gave up. I had a cancellation on a random Thursday, and thought I’d randomly pop in on her. I guess the timing was perfect, because within two hours, she was here at the studio. From a huge suitcase filled with options, this was the look we came up with. The idea was to not over-sexualize, and we had some truly interesting conversation about how young women are conditioned to do that, and how it is negatively affecting both men and women & our interpersonal relationships.
She also needed some classic agency digitals, which I was happy to help her with.
(click images to expand)
That time Banksy took over New York City (revisited)
Banksy took over New York City in 2013. Here are my images of the crowds gathered to see the work.
Another strange benefit of working at Ogilvy was the random proximity to this important piece of modern art history. Banksy took over NYC for 31 days in NYC, with a piece of his artwork appearing each day in new, different locations, without warning. Dudes were charging admission at some spots. Covering the work with cardboard until someone paid them. Aahhh. New York.
Those were words. These are images.
Kwadwo in Color
We started writing this story in 2013, and only finished today.
Here’s another one of those times. You know… when you go back through a decade or more of images, with a decade older eyes, experience, editing prowess, style…
… and create something you never saw before. By ‘saw,’ I mean when I looked at these images back in 2013, I saw 2 or 3, and considered them individual compositions. Yet, looking at the photoset in Lightroom earlier this week. I saw a story I hadn’t noticed before, and went right to work.
I keep thinking about where to put these images, and wind up never showing them to anyone. I’m hoping this ends that trend. I really need to dive into the archives, delete wasteful 1s and 0s, and properly treat images that may have been overlooked over the years.
So, I wasn’t even done with the set, and I HAD to hit up Kwadwo.
Gotta say…. that felt good. Glad to have made this incredible set of images with you, old friend. This dude was always working on something good for the world. We shot an ill-fated but wonderful intentioned campaign for an clothing idea, proceeds of which would go to anti-bullying organizations, and now he’s traveling the world spreading positivity and good vibes. You can check out some of his work here.
OK. Those were words. These are images.
A Tribe Called Quest x STÜSSY | July 18, 2015 (revisited)
A Tribe Called Quest x STÜSSY at the NYC Soho store. July 2015. All 4 members of A Tribe Called Quest celebrate 35 years of Stussy. Dave Chappelle pops in to take some selfies.
Photographed by Stuart Tracte
One day I might write about when I got a chance to meet & photograph a childhood musical legend, got my heart broken, and made an incredible lifelong friend… all in the same night. This day happened because of that night… my mom met A Tribe Called Quest.
(click to enlarge)
(all rights © Stuart Tracte)
Tara, Pandas, Great Vibes, Oh My! | @taraleightyler | May 29, 2014 (revisited)
I always revisit this shoot with Tara when I can’t navigate through the difficulty of reconciling my passions and the commerce of professional photography.
It’s May 2014, I’ve been photographing nightlife and people for about 6 months, to some level of success, and things are looking pretty damn fantastic. I’m still working 60+ hours a week at Ogilvy, AND doing all of this photography. I can’t remember exactly how it came up, but my friend W. Kamau Bell’s manager, Kerry, somehow had or had access to a panda costume. I don’t remember the exact inspiration for even asking, but somehow I wound up with this panda costume, sitting in my apartment.
”Anyone wanna shoot with a panda costume?!”
The response was almost immediate. Tara was in. While the details of how it all happened are a bit of a blur, the energy and vibe that day is one that I return to in my head over and over again.
I’ve been going through some kind of creative struggle lately…. What is my style? How can I reconcile my passion and my commerce. Without fail, my mind returns to this day. Tara and I made something together…. so much fun. Not for Instagram. Not for the likes. Not for anyone or anything other than us and for the sheer joy of making something. A pure energy of absurdity & fun. The rest was autopilot. We did a total of three shoots, and the others were similar in vibe (coming soon!) yet Tara always has & will always have a place in my heart and mind because of how fantastic this experience was.
THIS is the kind of work I want to do. There is so much beauty here…. but more importantly, there is a positivity. There’s fun. Nobody is taking anything too seriously, and you can feel it.
Hit me up if you can get together with me and just not give a shit what happens. Hit me up if you won’t worry that every shot has to be serious, or every angle perfect. Hit me up if you can smile, or act a fool, and still feel handsome or beautiful.
These 40 images are either re-edits (the original color palate I used was a bit more blue/gray) or edits of images I had overlooked the first time I went through them. Thank you, Tara. We’re way overdue for another care-free photoshoot!
Ann Atman | @ann_atman | February 26, 2021
A beautiful morning with Ann Atman. Photographed & edited by Stuart Tracte
A beautiful morning with Ann.
Miami Music Week 2023 | Day 5 | Glitterbox | Epic Pool Parties | Sagamore Hotel | March 26, 2023
Day 5 of Miami Music Week 2023 - Glitterbox - Epic Pool Parties - Sagamore Hotel - Stuart Tracte Photography
What a week! 25,000 images taken, and about 3,500 edited. Five incredible parties, with countless incredibly talented artists, the best damn hospitality team in the business, and memories to last a lifetime. Epic Pool Parties' final event at The Sagamore Hotel was hosted by Glitterbox. From start to finish, old school disco vibes met new school house music, with some legendary performances.
An EPIC finale to an EPIC week!
All images © 2023, Stuart Tracte Photography. Please send an email to contact@stuarttracte.photography for high-resolution, usage. or for purchase/printed images.
Miami Music Week 2023 | Day 4 | The Epic Pool Party | Sagamore Hotel | March 25, 2023
Day 4 of Miami Music Week by Epic Pool Parties at The Sagamore Hotel. Photos by Stuart Tracte.
Day 4 of Miami Music Week. My birthday always falls during this week of madness. This year I had a lot to celebrate, as I have rediscovered my enthusiasm for life, health, work, and more. Ya know, in all my years photographing Music Week, I’ve never had a birthday bottle parade. Its sounds awfully cheesy. But I admit…. I want one! LOL. Maybe someone will read this and make it happen next year? #HintHint
This party, from Epic Pool Parties, at The Sagamore Hotel, was our own curated event. No labels, just great music & some legendary performances.
Victor Calderone never fails to impress.
All images © 2023, Stuart Tracte Photography. Please send an email to contact@stuarttracte.photography for high-resolution, usage. or for purchase/printed images.
Miami Music Week 2023 | Day 3 | The Soundgarden | Epic Pool Parties | Sagamore Hotel | March 24, 2023
Day three of Epic Pool Parties’ Miami Music Week 2023 at The Sagamore Hotel, with The Soundgarden. Images by Stuart Tracte.
Day 3 of Miami Music Week at the Sagamore South Beach was truly a gift. Epic Pool Parties and The Soundgarden curated a magical day of music and incredible vibes. I’ve wanted to photograph a Soundgarden party for longer than I can remember. I think I made up for lost time.
Click images to enlarge.
All images © 2023, Stuart Tracte Photography. Please send an email to contact@stuarttracte.photography for high-resolution, usage. or for purchase/printed images.
Miami Music Week 2023 | Day 2 | Defected Records | Epic Pool Parties | Sagamore Hotel | March 23, 2023
Day two of Miami Music Week 2023, from Epic Pool Parties & Defected Records, at the Sagamore Hotel, with special guest Idris Elba
Day 2 of Miami Music Week at the Sagamore South Beach was a movie! The team at Epic Pool Parties and Defected Records put together an incredible lineup! Every single artist on that stage absolutely killed!
Click images to enlarge.
Idris Elba, holding court.
All images © 2023, Stuart Tracte Photography. Please send an email to contact@stuarttracte.photography for high-resolution, usage. or for purchase/printed images.
Murals with Marcel | The Art Plug | E11even Vodka | March 10, 2023
A day documenting the creation of a mural for Miami & E11even Vodka, with Marcel Katz & team.
Marcel Katz, a.k.a The Art Plug, asked me to document the final touches of a mural outside E11EVEN Miami for E11EVEN Vodka. The team included Marcel, Jeronimo, & Jonathan. It was a beautiful day, and a perfect day for shooting these three talented artists at work.
Posing with @pineapplepey | Peyton Bell | February 12, 2023
Peyton Bell is top notch. Great energy, enthusiasm for creativity, and fearless. Can’t ask for more. I look forward to shooting more with @pineapplepey
It’s always great to find new collaborators. Oftentimes, creative or spontaneous shoots are like dancing. Not only do you need to find a good partner, there needs to be a good rhythm. I met Peyton at the Motorcar Cavalcade, and we set up a simple shoot. We spend Super Bowl Sunday doing what NY Jet’s fans do…. not watch the game. Peyton has truly great creative energy. We had only a simple plan and creative chemistry, and I’d say we nailed the assignment. These are the results. (click image to enlarge)
Man in Ocean in Suit | Sebastian Frings | February 11, 2023
Man. Ocean. Suit. Sebastian. Me.
Here's another one of those photoshoot ideas and plans that got completely delayed by the damn pandemic and the following depression that stopped me from being both social and creative. I had talked with Sebastian perhaps 2 years prior about this idea of a man in the ocean in a suit. Between COVID, difficult coordination of schedules, and my own demons, it took a long time to get this one shot and done.
While I love our results, I think we can do better. It was difficult to coordinate for a golden hour shoot, so we did the best we could when we finally got together to make this happen. One day, we'll reconvene and shoot this idea with even better light. I imagine the sun casting a breathtaking glow on the ocean surface, highlighting every droplet of water as it cascades off the man's suit, creating a mesmerizing effect. The perfect blend of warm hues and gentle waves will elevate this concept to another level. Despite the hurdles we faced, the passion and determination fueling this project remain unwavering. The pandemic may have forced us to take a detour, but it has only fueled our resolve to capture this vision with absolute brilliance. Stay tuned for the day when we bring this concept to life again, and the results will undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Testing an idea with Holly | Holly Ridings | February 8, 2023
Creative experimentation with Holly Ridings. B&W studio photography experiments.
I had a concept I wanted to test out, and Holly was there to help out. We knew we were on to something. I’m going to play with this idea for a while. Different light. Different colors. I’m excited to explore something so simple, yet unlimited in its potential. It all started here. With Holly. What do you think?
Ridiculousness with Raven | Raven Riley | February 3, 2023
Get out there. Be stupid. Have fun.
I hadn’t seen Raven in YEARS. We had a brief shoot that went super well, and the vibes were fantastic. Sometimes you make new friends when you shoot. This was one of those times.
Then the world fell apart for a brief two years. It changed so many of us in so many ways. One goal of mine this year is to be prolific. To get back to getting out of the house and shooting for the love of it, not just the business. I knew this would be a sexy shoot, but when I arrived, we just started laughing and coming up with the silliest of ideas. So… join us, as we go from serious/sexy to silly/stupid. I promise… there will be more whimsical shoots like this in the future! (Be sure to browse through for the GIFs!)
Spontaneity with Sandy | Sandy Kacura | February 1, 2023
Spur of the moment photo shoots oftentimes result in magic.
I’ve been trying to develop new habits this year. One a month. January was all about sleep. Early to bed. Early to rise. I have come to LOVE the few hours at my desk before the sun rises. Everyone is asleep and I’m hustling. So, when Lee Dahlberg invited me to his home to watch the premiere of Gunther’s Millions at 7PM, I had to think of how to make that work. I’d typically be showering and getting ready for bed at that time. “Why don’t I come over now, we can shoot in your backyard, and then I’ll be there when the festivities start.” “Sure, but I will be preparing for tonight. How about you come by and shoot with Sandy?” “Sure! Be right there.”
We had such a fun time, with no preparation, fueled by he excitement of spontaneity. I truly hope this is the first of many times I get to collaborate with Sandy.
Action with Ariana | Ariana Buscaglia | January 25, 2023
Getting gritty with Ariana
Ariana & I have been talking about shooting for a LONG time. Years. Its oftentimes difficult to sync schedules, let alone in this laid back city we call Miami. We bumped into one another at Art Basel back in December, had our first in-person conversation about the shoot, and that was the push we needed to make something happen. We were overwhelmed with ideas as well as the excitement of finally being able to create together. Here’s a bit of the magic we created that day.
Driss | January 19, 2023
A quick portrait session with my friend Driss.
I met Driss at Treehouse many years ago, when the concept of shooting SXM Festival first came up in our conversation. Unfortunately, that opportunity never materialized as I found myself in a dark period the following year. And just when things were starting to look up, COVID happened, putting a halt to all plans and dreams. Throughout those challenging years, I would occasionally run into Driss, and he always remained a good dude, someone I enjoyed interacting with. As 2023 rolled around, a year of renewal and positive energy, I couldn't help but think of Driss. So, I extended an invitation for him to visit the studio for a quick portrait session. The shoot itself lasted no more than 45 minutes, nothing groundbreaking, but it was a pleasant time spent with Driss without the overpowering thump of house and techno music forcing us to yell in each other's ears. It was a simple yet meaningful moment of connection in a year that had been filled with so much hope.
