Kind Words

Dr Joel Blumberg

One of the reasons doing the interview was most attractive to me is because I’ve had all these questions in my own mind about my grandparents and their parents, and by the time I got around to asking them, a lot of the people who could have provided the answers had died; it was too late. I’ve often wondered who these people were and what they were all about. It was a chance for me to share with my children and grandchildren some things about my family and about the people who played such an important part in my growing up. And, of course, the sixty years I spent married to Judy, the single smartest thing I did in my entire life. Frankly, nobody ever asked a lot of these questions. I was glad to be asked the questions. I wish that we could take a time machine and we could have Juliana interview my grandparents and my great-grandparents as I know very little about them. 

The way Juliana went about questioning me was very professional and very easy for me to answer. I didn’t feel there was any invasion of my private space. I felt I was talking to a friend. I think her abilities as an interviewer are terrific. She is such a comfortable interviewer I felt very comfortable saying whatever was on my mind. I didn’t make any attempt to screen out some of my feelings. When she gave me the chance to review it afterward, I noticed a couple of comments I wanted to cut, and I was able to screen those out. 

If I were grading as a teacher, I’d give Juliana an A+ for her interviewing technique and the relevance of her questions. I think someone reading or listening to my interview would know an awful lot more about me and my family than they would have otherwise. I thank her so much for doing this. I give Juliana the highest recommendation.

Carlton Davis

Our family portrait session with Juliana was the day before our youngest child was shepherded off to her first year in college. Juliana's gentle and confident approach to our portrait session eased our nerves. She had conversations with each of us individually, and all four of us together, before picking up her camera. 

Following Juliana's direction with regards to posing was effortless and never felt forced. One of my least favorite activities is being photographed and I am rarely excited about photographs of myself. Not only did she ease the discomfort that all four of us experience when being photographed, the results are amazing. Juliana was able to create images that reflect who we are a family and individuals.

When Juliana photographed me individually she was able to bring my stress from level 8 to level 3 with a few words of encouragement, then guided me into poses that reflected her vision of me. My/our trust in Juliana's vision resulted in beautiful photographs and a very special shared family experience. 

This was the first time that we had a professional photographer come to our home and photograph our family and it won't be the last time that we make time for a portrait experience with Juliana.

Dr Ray Sekula

I first learned of Juliana Sohn’s work when I came across an article concerning the designer, Celerie Kemble. Celerie’s thoughtful interiors comprised of antiques, new fabrics and wallcoverings, and the often faded and worn family heirlooms appealed to my own approach to decoration. Somehow, this artist was able to capture the designer’s approach to decorating in a manner that caused me to search for the name of the photographer: Juliana Sohn. The reason for my search was straightforward. I was hoping to find an artist, who could capture the kind of medical care we aim to provide in my own practice as a minimally invasive brain surgeon. Reviewing Juliana’s professional website, I found myself deeply moved by both her professional work, ranging from well-healed clients, such as House & Garden, The New Yorker, London Sunday Times Magazine, to her more personal work with portraiture. Immediately, I began to envision a professional website as well as a family portrait (our oldest was nearing the time of leaving home for college) to memorialize a new time in our family’s life having recently moved from Pittsburgh to New York. I emailed Juliana and was surprised to receive such a quick, friendly, and direct response with reasonable rates from such an acclaimed artist.

I first engaged Juliana to photograph our work team, and she prepared us in a way that I would not have been able to imagine on my own. She asked thoughtful questions and made helpful suggestions to extend the life of the photographs (e.g., “refresher” photographers to keep the website updated over years). In the end, I am so pleased that she captured our team’s care philosophy. Perhaps more than any of her other portraits, I admire her family portraits a great deal. With Thanksgiving approaching and most of my immediate family planning to visit, I determined to commission a series of portraits of my wife and children, brother and sister and their families, and my mother and father. I’m so pleased that I chose to do this. She visited us on the day following Thanksgiving and quietly and unobtrusively photographed a small party we had for family and close neighborhood friends. The images remind me of so many important memories of my childhood, young adulthood, and now middle-age years with my family and friends. I’m so fortunate to have met Juliana.

David Matt

I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve had two headshots taken over the duration of my career—I can’t stand being in front of a camera. And knowing my headshot had long passed its expiration date, I took a deep breath and began the search for a photographer.

Imagining how I should present myself was so difficult. Should I appear more like this?  What are my peers doing? More like that? Serious? Friendly? I was seriously overthinking and quite stuck.

Then I remembered Juliana and her work.

Her portraits are elegant. In a deceptively quiet way, her work somehow finds the nature of her subject. There’s an honesty and truth to what she produces, and this is where I found clarity. The best approach to one’s professional representation is to forget the noise and simply be who and what you are.

I am grateful Juliana made time for the project. She thoughtfully listened to all I had to say (without charging me for a shrink session) and liked some of my ideas, building on them and making them better. And no surprise, she brought much to the table as you would expect from a very smart, insightful, and seasoned image maker.

Using the same grounding and elegance you see in her work, Juliana simplified the experience. She led it easily, thoughtfully, collaboratively, turning something I find uncomfortable into something I actually enjoyed.

In the end I was very satisfied with the shots and enjoyed compliments from peers.

If you’re thinking about a portrait, consider Juliana. You will be seen, heard, laugh a good bit, learn a thing or two, and you will be very happy with the work you make together.

Chil Sung Hong

Dear Juliana, 

You have become my dear friend, literally dear friend, since you took the picture, 영전사진. I am happy that I gained a friend and the legacy photo is done. One less thing to worry about.

I call you my dear friend with no hesitation because you seemed to have a real understanding of me: my shortcomings, lack of confidence in my looks, my tendency to talk about my life’s frustration, and my failed aspiration. Honestly, I am not sure how it happened. Is it because of your interview skills, your loving heart, my vulnerability, or something else? Whatever the reason, I was able to relax and enjoyed the sessions.  I do not forget that you went shopping with me for lipstick, eye-makeup, and blushes at the store. You pulled down my hair from a bun and photographed me to see whether I looked better that way.  You did your best to make me look my best. Your generosity with your time delighted me.  You were so carefree and casual.  And I was happy to find out you can speak Korean. 

About the final pictures and video, I can’t ask for any better.  I am told photographs get better as time goes by.  This is another reason I recommend people to make 영정사진 now rather than later.

Hope anyone who reads this letter is convinced how good a photographer you are.

Juliana got the essence of me yet beautified me.  Her interview was delightful so I could relax fully.  Rare photographer in quality.