Events, Women Stuart Tracte Events, Women Stuart Tracte

The 2024 Hooters Calendar Reveal Party | Hooters Pembroke Pines | September 22, 2023

Who would have thought I’d be shooting the Hooter’s 2024 Calendar Release Party?

I had the opportunity to photograph the 2024 Hooters Calendar Release Party at Hooters Pembroke Pines. It was thanks to my cousin Jason, who's a manager there. I was expecting a lively event, ready to capture some great shots with my professional camera gear.

The place was buzzing with energy, and the Hooters girls, chosen for the annual calendar, were the stars of the evening. But interestingly, they seemed more interested in taking selfies and having their photos taken by friends with cellphones than by a professional photographer like me. It was a bit surprising, to say the least.

However, this didn't take away from the fantastic experience. The hospitality at Hooters Pembroke Pines was excellent, and those who did engage with my photography were a joy to work with. It was just an observation that stood out, especially considering the nature of the event.

This experience was a bit of a reminder of the generational changes in how people interact with photography. I walked in thinking these young women would be thrilled to pose for professional photos, but instead, I noticed a preference for more informal, personal captures.

It's fascinating to see how the times are changing. As a professional photographer, it's a reminder of the evolving landscape of photography and how different generations approach it. Makes you feel a bit old, doesn't it? But it's all part of the experience, watching and adapting to these shifts in trends and preferences.

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Fashion, Photoshoot, Studio, Portraiture Stuart Tracte Fashion, Photoshoot, Studio, Portraiture Stuart Tracte

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)

Read More
Fashion, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Fashion, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

Two Days With Heather | September 8 & 9, 2023

I got to spend two days creating beautiful imagery with the legendary Heather Payne!

I met Heather about 10 years ago, and, despite only meeting in person that one time, we’ve kept in touch with an occasional message here and there. You know what they say… “timing is everything.” They also say, “location location location.”
If you put those two things together…. magic can and will happen.
So, we put those two things together, and magic happened.

Heather Payne, Founder and Creative Director of Emerging Heroes, is a renowned former model. She has worked with top designers and appeared in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

Collaborations and tests never go exactly as planned, and that’s part of the beauty of the process. I like to keep my collaborations rather simple, as I get most of my creative energy from spontaneity on the day of the shoot. Its great to set guidelines, create mood boards, pull wardrobe, etc, but in that moment…. I’m always going to follow my gut, if there’s not a specific deliverable or goal to achieve. We had a plan, and surely followed it, but what you’ll see below is us not worrying about coloring within the lines we created before we started actually shooting.
This was a truly wonderful partnership. Heather is incredibly energetic, organized, and determined. I am very fortunate to know her and to have had the opportunity to create these beautiful images with her. I truly hope this is just the beginning of a long lasting and fruitful creative partnership.


Here are the stunning fruits of our labor. (click images to expand)

Read More
Fashion, Photoshoot, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Fashion, Photoshoot, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

Portfolio building with Anja | September 5, 2023

Anja from The Source Models needed some basic studio work for her portfolio, and I needed to get back to work after 2 months of recovery after surgery.

I don’t think I’d mentioned this here….I had surgery on my left arm (elbow) on July 11th of this year. I knew it was coming, so I slowed down, in the weeks before, and cleared my schedule for about two months afterwards. I’m left handed, and edit with a stylus, so, I knew it would be a bit before I was able to get back to work.


It funny… you go from 0% to 80% post-surgery so fast! I was expecting to be out of commission through the end of September, but I got back to life much sooner than expected. So, I reached out to Jeff Fuller of The Source Models to see if he had anyone for me to shoot. He sent me a package to select from, and it was very clear who I wanted to work with. Anja had gorgeous images that I could tell were from a single shoot in South Pointe Park, and her limited portfolio was screaming for some studio work. I also needed to get back to work and stretch my lens and arms after almost three months off.

I must say, working with Anja was a wonderful experience; she even showed up early! We kept the styling simple & classic and I think that was the right move. Here are the completed images from our work together.

A great shoot & experience. I hope to create more with Anja in the future.

(click image to expand)

Read More
Fashion, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Fashion, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

Getting my groove back | Cheyenne | August 14, 2023

My first shoot back after 5 weeks of recovery from elbow surgery.

Surgery is traumatic. I don’t know if you’d call what I had done “major” surgery, but they did knock me out, cut me open, and stitch me back up. I had a repetitive stress injury in my left elbow, likely from 25 years of sitting at a desk, being left handed, and more recently, ten years of editing photos with a stylus. I had an amazing surgeon, that I knew was the the one to pick, because he has Chad Pennington (my favorite NY Jets QB of all time!) on the front-page of his website. If he could fix Chad’s shoulder, and make him the Comeback Player of the Year, he could surely fix my elbow. Thanks Dr. Caldwell!

So, I hadn’t had anyone come to the studio since the first week in July. In hindsight it doesn’t seem like that long, but I was laid up, unable to use my left arm, and trying to plan for the rest of the year. I was hustling my ass off on the phone, on social media, to line up collars and paid work to make up for this time lost to surgery.

I also hired my friend Frankie, who has a fantastic company called Project Rags, to come to my home and completely renovate and upgrade the studio space so that when I DID get back to work, it had more room, better placement, and new equipment to experiment and create with.

What can a say about Cheyenne? Beautiful girl. Smart as hell. Easy to talk with. Chill. Trusting. All I asked her for was to come over and mess around with my new space and new gear. We had no plan, and that’s how we liked it. Spontaneous creation with people who want to put in as much energy as I do is truly the thing I love best, when it happens. I need more of this in my life, and my work with Chey was proof of this. This was one of those experiences that when it’s over, you get a little depressed, because you don’t have that energy in your life anymore. Selfless creative trusting energy. Thanks Cheyenne. I hope we can do it again.
(If you ever want to print a Cheyenne t-shirt, that last image is ripe for printing. All you gotta do is ask and I’m sure Chey & I will be ok, IF you cut us in on the profit.)

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Men, Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio Stuart Tracte Men, Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio Stuart Tracte

The dude behind the dude, who should be in front of the dude | DJ Endo | July 1, 2023

It was super cool to get the chance to shoot with Mike, a friendly face I always enjoyed seeing over the years of covering the nightlife world.

Mike Henderson is the legend you never heard of, unless you have. Not only has he taught and programmed the equipment for your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ, he’s truly one of the nicest people I have encountered in years of photographing the underground electronic music world, and an extremely talented musician.

I had the chance to have DJ Endo in the studio right before I was to head into surgery on my arm, which would sideline me for about 6 weeks.

I am glad we took the time to fit this one in before I went under the knife and Mike moved back to Spain.

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Events, Nightlife Stuart Tracte Events, Nightlife Stuart Tracte

"How do I shoot nightlife photography?" "Ask Google." | VIP Room NYC | Opening Night (revisited)

I had never photographed a nightclub before this night. September 19, 2013. VIP Room NYC.

I sold Kenny a pair of Air Jordans in the 90s. We had many adventures. I’m quite sure there was a time we’d both had considered each-other among the best of friends, but lost touch. Fast forward, post-Zuckerberg reconnection. I’d literally only been taking photographs for two months, and somehow, Kenny thought I’d be good shooting a new club? Honestly, I don’t remember how it came about. But there I was, opening night. Meatpacking District, NYC. At the hight of the open format bottle club scene. I hadn’t even been in a club since the year 2000, I think with Kenny, as well. A Y2K party at Pacha, and nobody was there. Freaking Y2K.

I had no idea what I was doing. Armed with a 24mm-88mm kit lens, a 50mm 1.8, & brand new Nikon D600, and a SB-700 flash, I shot opening night for VIP Room NYC. VIP Room was kind of a big deal. I googled “nightlife photography,” had no real understanding of anything I read, and went to work. I remember being so shy. So hesitant to approach people and take their images. Its funny.. after all these years, it still takes me a little bit to settle in when shooting these kind of things. I remember not being able to capture the lights. The club would be thumping with colors and strobes, yet everything looked dark. At that time, I had no idea that the flash I had would overpower all the club lights, rendering the club to look dark in most shots. I had no idea about the little white bounce card in the head of the flash. I didn’t know how to use nor properly understand ISO. So I just took portraits of people I found interesting or attractive, that said yes when I hesitantly asked their permission; portraits and group shots of the staff. I also learned, that after an hour or so and everyone is well lubricated… I don’t have to ask.

No preconceived notions nor expectations of what the work needed to look like. I could do whatever I wanted.

Right place, right time. Turns out I was doing something different. These portraits are some of my favorites. To be honest, I don’t see this kind of stuff in nightlife photos anymore. Even in my own. I’ll have to run with just a 50mm sometime in the future. I really am happy that I went back and found/sorted through/re-edited these.

Many of these images were shot in black & white, colorized with Adobe Photoshop AI and then edited to my specifications.

If you know any of the people in this photo essay, please, send them here. They should see them, dont’cha think? I’m in three of these. I must have handed my camera to Kenny, because… I’m not insane.


Those were words. These are images.


All images © Stuart Tracte.
Read More
Events, Nightlife Stuart Tracte Events, Nightlife Stuart Tracte

50 Cent walks into a nightclub... (revisited)

The night 50 cent hosted VIP Room NYC, back in October 2013.

I think this might have been the first big celebrity hosted night we had at VIP Room NYC, which means it was the first big celebrity night I photographed. 50 Cent. Not bad, huh? I went through all these images again, and cut the original set down to under 50 images. I also gave them a fresh coat of paint. There are a ton of these nights to sort though, and some truly iconic imagery to share with you.

Read More
Street Photography, Art Stuart Tracte Street Photography, Art Stuart Tracte

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.

Read More
Stuart Tracte Stuart Tracte

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.

Read More
Stuart Tracte Stuart Tracte

David used to call me Zelig...

Random NYC encounter turned into friendship and legendary comedy pairing.

I used to work for Ogilvy.

I had a podcast.

The two were not related.

Somehow, I had some pretty damn cool people on that podcast. One of them was Mad Magazine’s “Maddest Writer,” Dick DeBartolo. The man is a comedy legend, writing for iconic television shows & magazines dating back to the 1960s. He’s also a well known and respected (I bet he’d say, “I don’t know about respected…”) technology journalist. I worked in ad-tech. That’s how I met the Giz-Wiz. I was fortunate enough to have Dick on that podcast twice, I think. Maybe even thrice. (I like that word. Only reason I added that sentence. Thrice.)

Since I worked at Ogilvy, I was in Hell’s Kitchen. Often. One day, as I was walking, as one does, (especially in Manhattan) I saw Jackie Martling across the street, and HAD to ask him to be on the show. If you didn’t know, Jackie has a legendary comedy resume as well. I had been speaking with many comedians, writers, and more on my show and ‘The Jokeman’ would be a perfect guest. I typically would not be the kind of dude who bothers public figures randomly on the street… but I was booking a podcast… so go GET that shit!

This was in 2013. Before YOU listened to podcasts. When every comedian didn’t have a podcast. When most hadn’t even been ON a podcast yet. So, when I approach Jackie with all this crazy enthusiasm, and ask him to be a guest on a random podcast…. I might as well have been speaking Farsi. But he was kind. He said he would check it out, and took my card.

A few days later, I got a phone call from an unknown number. We hadn’t completely stopped talking on the phone in 2013. It was Jackie. I’ll paraphrase here, but he said something like, “Hey kid. I checked you out. I’ll make you a deal. You help me with this Twitter shit, and I’ll do your podcast.” Deal. Of course.

Jackie and I became friends. He mentioned that he had read Dick’s work in Mad Magazine as a kid, and how that was influential to him. I can’t remember if it was my idea or Jackie’s, but these guys needed to meet. I was kind of surprised that they had never met, despite both being lifelong New Yorkers AND having more than 50 years of comedy gold between them.

Ogilvy. Hell’s Kitchen. DC Comics. Mad Magazine. Times Square. It was just proximity and random chance, I guess. Dick & Jackie were practically neighbors, but I was the one who randomly made the introduction. I remember thinking… make an intro with a group message, and thats it. These guys both insisted that we all get together for lunch. Tik Tok Diner. A New York City institution. Ask Jackie about the time Jackie Mason was an asshole to me for no other reason than me breathing the same air, in front of that diner. So, on more than one occasion, I got to sit and have lunch with these guys.


The dude with the mohawk? Random. Guy in the car? Never met them.

OK. Those are words. These are images.



Read More
Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

A Long Overdue Hang with Ms. Mada | June 10, 2023

After years of waiting…. we finally got to make some dope s#!t.

As a photographer, every photoshoot is a new adventure, a unique story waiting to be captured through the lens. But my recent session with Rachel Tumada, the Miami-based DJ and rising star in the global underground electronic music scene, was something extraordinary.

I had crossed paths with Rachel a couple of times, but most of our interactions had been digital. There's something about her wry humor on social media that always struck a chord with me. We share a love for 90s hip-hop and a certain cynicism that only like-minded individuals can appreciate. This mutual understanding laid the groundwork for our collaboration.

Rachel has always been an enigma to me. Her beauty is effortless, almost as if she's unaware of it. Her talent as a DJ, particularly her residency at Club Space, speaks volumes, yet she carries herself with an unassuming grace. This humility, rare and endearing, is what I believe makes her truly special. I think she’s bad AF. “Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good!”#RunDMC

I'd been nudging Rachel for years to step into my studio. Little did she know, it wasn't just about capturing her through my camera, but also about sharing laughs and immersing ourselves in the music we both adore.

Coming off a workshop on frequency separation techniques in Photoshop, I was eager to apply my enhanced skills in editing skin tones. This shoot with Rachel was the perfect opportunity. The images turned out stunning, though reflecting on them six months later, I ponder if I might have gone a bit overboard. Well, there's always room for more shoots, right, Ms. Mada?

Spending time with Rachel wasn't just about the photographs. It was about creating a space where art met personality. Providing her with professional images to bolster her burgeoning career was rewarding, but the real joy lay in the experience itself. It was more than a photoshoot; it was a celebration of talent, humor, and music.

Looking back, this photoshoot with Rachel was not just a session; it was a celebration of shared passions. As she continues to rise in the world of electronic music, these images will stand as a testament to her journey, her talent, and the day we spent encapsulating moments in time.

As Rachel continues to blow the f**k up globally, I look forward to more opportunities to capture her essence through my lens. After all, every photograph is a story, and Rachel's is one that the world needs to see & hear.

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Music, Photoshoot, Events Stuart Tracte Music, Photoshoot, Events Stuart Tracte

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)

Read More
Lingerie, Fashion, Photoshoot, Women Stuart Tracte Lingerie, Fashion, Photoshoot, Women 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!


Read More
Men, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Music, Portraiture, Studio Stuart Tracte Men, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Music, Portraiture, Studio Stuart Tracte

Round 2 with Luke Alexander | June 2, 2023

Great conversation and powerful imagery with DJ Luke Alexander

---

I recently had the pleasure of working again with DJ Luke Alexander for another round of press and promotional photos. This being our second collaboration, there was a distinct sense of ease and familiarity that set the tone for the entire photoshoot.

From the moment Luke stepped into the studio, there was a palpable shift in energy compared to our first session. We were both more relaxed, falling into a comfortable rhythm as we set up for the shoot. It's amazing how much more fluidly things can go when there's an established rapport.

As the shoot progressed, we found ourselves delving into deep conversation. We spoke about the challenges we face as artists, particularly the tug-of-war between commercialism and passion. It's a delicate balance, trying to meet the expectations of the industry while staying true to our creative instincts. Luke and I shared our experiences and the pressures we feel about the expected output of our work. It was enlightening to hear his perspective, mirroring many of my own thoughts and struggles.

The most poignant part of our discussion was about pleasing everyone except ourselves. It's a trap many artists fall into, and hearing Luke articulate these feelings was both validating and sobering. These moments of connection are rare and invaluable – they remind us that beneath the facade of success and creativity, we're all grappling with similar challenges.

The photos from this shoot turned out powerful. There was a raw, authentic energy that came through, undoubtedly fueled by the depth of our conversation and the comfort level we'd reached. Creating images that not only serve a commercial purpose but also capture the essence of an individual is what I strive for. And with Luke, it felt like we achieved that and more.

This photoshoot was more than just another job; it was a memorable experience of connecting with someone who's not just a client but a fellow artist. Luke's trust in me to help shape his public image for the second time was not only an honor but a testament to the relationship we've built. It's these kinds of connections that make my work so fulfilling and remind me why I chose this path.

Looking back, I realize that this shoot with Luke wasn't just about creating images; it was about sharing stories, understanding each other's journey, and finding solace in the shared complexities of our artistic paths. I'm grateful for such experiences – they enrich my work and my perspective as a photographer.

(click images to enlarge)

Read More

The Mermaid | Megan Daly | May 27, 2023

Some simple press and promotional photos for DJ M DALY

I met Megan at Miami Music Week. She had a carefree style and was very kind. Turns out she’s a DJ and needed some simple promo photos to promote her local gigs. The vibe was to be simple, and feminine. If I remember correctly, she was promoting hotel & daytime parties, so it made sense to keep it simple, and go with the beach girl vibe. I hope we hit the mark. It was a fun and easy going experience.
I’m still waiting for you to reach out about this mermaid thing, Megan! ;)

Read More
Fashion, Music, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Fashion, Music, Photoshoot, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

Creating Magic with Agus Maders | May 19, 2023

A great day of shooting with DJ & model Agus Maders

I had the incredible opportunity to work with Agus Maders, a well-known, rising star DJ and model from Argentina. We came together with a simple goal: to create fashionable and unique images that would not only highlight Agus's style and beauty but also capture her infectious smile.

From the get-go, Agus was an absolute delight. Despite being our first time working together, she brought a kind and spirited energy that made the whole experience feel more like a collaboration between friends than a formal photoshoot. There's something about her that's so genuine and down-to-earth; it's refreshing, especially in someone as popular as she is.

Our theme revolved around fashion, but with a twist. We wanted these photos to scream personality and authenticity. And let me tell you, Agus didn't hold back. Towards the end of our shoot, she suggested we try some things she'd never done before with a photographer. I was honored and excited to dive into this new territory for her.

I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. I had this idea to use a mirrored background, but things didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. We tried to rig up this whole setup using mirrored adhesive paper and cardboard boxes, and well, it was more of a challenge than I anticipated. But you know what? It didn't matter. It was all part of the process, and it didn't take away from the shoot's success.

This photoshoot was all about having fun, pushing our creative limits, and, hopefully, giving both of our careers a little boost. Despite the mirrored background not turning out perfectly, the day was filled with laughter, experimentation, and art. Working with Agus was a joy, and the connection we forged through our creativity was something really special.

In the end, the photos turned out great, but more importantly, the experience was unforgettable. It's not every day you get to work with someone as talented and genuine as Agus, and I'm already looking forward to our next creative adventure.

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Events, Music Stuart Tracte Events, Music Stuart Tracte

1-800-LUCKY | Jarobi + Tillery + Talib | May 17, 2023

Hanging out with hip-hop legends at 1-800-Lucky in Wynwood.

Another post, and another opportunity to allude to a future post where I talk about meeting heroes, broken dreams, and making lifelong friends, but not doing it. One day, I will sit down, write the words, and publish the images of that unforgettable landmark evening.

But for now, I will just say, my friend Jarobi hosts a killer weekly old-school hip-hop night at 1-800-Lucky in Wynwood, Miami. Every Tuesday. I should be there significantly more often than I am. This week was special because another legend of the genre, Talib Kweli was going to be spinning for a portion of the night.

While I didn’t get the chance to meet Kweli this time, I did get some pretty damn good images of Jarobi, Tillery, & Talib doing their thing.

Read More
Fashion, Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Fashion, Music, Nightlife, Photoshoot, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

In the studio with Natalia Roth | May 15, 2023

A long awaited studio photoshoot with DJ Natalia Roth

I’d been trying to get in touch with Natalia for a very long time. It didn’t make much sense that we’d never met. I covered underground music in Miami for half a decade, and she’s a hard working, super talented rising star both in Miami and globally. On a Monday morning at 6am, I went to Club Space to see my friend Dennis Cruz play, and I couldn’t take my eyes off this incredibly well dressed woman hanging out in the DJ booth. After enough staring… I had to tell her that I dug her outfit. I was definitely awkward, but then again, I’m awkward. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t remember the details of how I came to realize it was Natalia, but once I did, we briefly spoke about shooting together. I showed her my work, talked about our mutual friends and acquaintances, and within a month or so, she was here in the studio for a few hours. I think shot over 1000 images that day. I still feel like the set deserves more attention, so I may add to this post some day in the future when I have some time and need some inspiration. For now, here are the completed images from our day together. I hope we get the chance to collaborate again. She oozes style and musical talent. It would surely be an honor and a benefit… for us both!

(click images to enlarge)

Read More
Music, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte Music, Portraiture, Studio, Women Stuart Tracte

Sasha Atlas | Press Kit & Promotional Photos | May 9, 2023

Promotional and press kit images for DJ/producer/vocalist Sasha Atlas.

Working with Sasha Atlas on our recent studio photo shoot was a refreshing experience. Sasha, a DJ, producer, and singer, has a story that's particularly resonant for me. We both left stable corporate careers to chase after our artistic dreams. Her presence on social media, with her Instagram and her website, is a window into her evolving career in music.

Our paths crossed again at the Art With Me festival in December 2023, seven months after our initial collaboration. Catching up and exchanging stories about our progress since then was a real pleasure. It's impressive to see how much Sasha has achieved in such a short period.

The aim of our photo shoot was to create images that would serve as promotional and press material, capturing the essence of her as an artist. Sasha's energy in front of the camera was undeniable, making each image a truthful representation of her artistry and character.

Helping artists like Sasha visually narrate their career journey is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I'm looking forward to seeing where her talent and determination take her in the music industry. Our future collaborations, I anticipate, will continue to showcase her growth and success.

Sasha's journey is a reminder of the rewards that come with pursuing one's passions. Documenting these pivotal moments in her career is an opportunity I value greatly. Keep an eye out for more from Sasha Atlas – there's much more to come from this talented artist.

Read More

Search Posts

 

Featured Posts

Summary Block
This is example content. Double-click here and select a page to feature its content. Learn more