Front House Photography can make lasting memories of your special event. For more samples of Julie Saliba’s work, check out her portfolio at FrontHousePhotography.Zenfolio.com.
Front House Photography can make lasting memories of your special event. For more samples of Julie Saliba’s work, check out her portfolio at FrontHousePhotography.Zenfolio.com.

By Amy Gutierrez

In today’s world of readily available enhanced photography, photo editing and filters all as close as our smart phone apps or laptops, almost everyone thinks that they are destined to be the next Ansel Adams. The art of photography is, however, a pursuit and study of motion and emotion. It’s having the ability to watch and participate in a moment without actually being part of that moment. Those who are well-versed in the art of photography know the difference between a posed smile that conveys an event, versus an object or body in motion that conveys a feeling.

Julie Saliba, owner of Wesley Chapel-based Front House Photography, studied film at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) in New York City, before furthering her studies at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in downtown Tampa. Originally at NYFA to pursue writing, Saliba says she became immediately interested in filmography and still pictures during her studies.

NYFA is highly regarded, not only for the intense, hands-on instruction its students receive, but also because of the extraordinarily eclectic and diverse group of students who are accepted to study there. When speaking of New York and her time spent there, it’s clear that Saliba appreciated the culture of the city and believes it helped her see photography and film for what it still — and always will be at its core — an art.

photo 1Front House Photography is a relatively new business in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. While Julie hails from Jacksonville, FL, and worked professionally there, she relocated to the Tampa area in 2013, after getting married and settling where her husband grew up. Her business is a sole proprietorship and she oversees all work on her own — from the initial concept to the finished product.

Specializing in event photography and on-location portraits, Front House Photography covers weddings, engagements, parties or just capturing a family moment for a special memory.

“Weddings, engagements and anniversary parties are typically the types of events I am hired for,” Saliba explains. “Family events seem to be the most prevalent.”

These types of events also happen to be her specialty.

“I want people to look at my photos and be taken back to how they felt at that very moment in time,” Saliba says. “I prefer photos to be kept as raw and authentic to the first image as possible.”

Saliba indicates that through her conversations with clients beforehand, she tries to get a very clear idea of what’s important to them prior to a shoot. Coupled with her ability to step outside of artistic boundaries, she is able to create lasting, one-of-a-kind treasures.

“When a client sits down with me and shows me examples of what he/she is looking for, that’s great for reference,” Saliba explains. “At the same time, no two photographs that I take are ever going to feel the same.”

Angela Karam, of Jacksonville, whose engagement photos were shot by Julie, states, “My fiancé and I were really happy with Julie’s work. Her photos were original and the turnaround was as promised. We were extremely happy that she was able to capture the special moments.”

In an age of altering and editing photos beyond recognition, Julie has a fresh, young, simplistic perspective. She is well-versed in all of the latest techniques, while still acknowledging that her continuing, ongoing training in graphic arts is a necessity due to its “importance in the future of photography.”

We have all seen still photos that appear staged and stiff, but Julie prefers to always bring motion to her photography. She spends time getting a sense of the people she is photographing and strives to get those shots that are fleeting moments in time and turning them into uniquely “preserved” memories.

Since most clients prefer to hire a photographer who not only understands aperture, exposure and shutter speed, but also how to capture human emotion and obtaining that once-in-a-lifetime remembrance, Julie offers the whole package. And, since film/video production are subjects she knows well, she also anticipates adding videography to the services Front House Photography provides as early as next year. Saliba says she is wholly committed to spending a solid year focusing only on still photography with Front House before expanding into video and other services, preferring to first build a solid client base and reputation in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area before expanding.

Saliba says that it was while attending film school seven days a week that she figured out the name for her future photography company.

“It was a beautiful spring day and I had a rare opportunity to spend some time in Central Park with two fellow classmates,” Saliba explains. She says the name came from a casual discussion among her good friends as they dreamed aloud about their futures. As the three friends chatted on a picnic bench about their goals following college, they decided that the trio would form a production company and Julie blurted out the name Front Porch Productions. Although the three have since moved on to separate careers, she named her business as a direct result of that dream because her friends contributed so much to developing her art.

Julie has a great perspective on what it means to own her own business. She’s far more interested in being a business owner who stands behind her work with far more responsibility for getting the job done right than most freelance photographers would ever offer. There is a real sense of commitment and refreshing honesty when she speaks about being creative. Raised in a home that valued self-expression, creativity and intellectualism, Saliba says she was encouraged to explore and find her talents through dedication and commitment.

She described both of her parents as being extremely creative and she was given the freedom and support to find her niche.

“Fortunately, college expanded my talents and interests and led me to begin Front House Photography,” Saliba says. “I intend to carry on those lessons and opportunities I’ve learned into my business, in hopes of creating a successful and principled career.”

If you’re looking to have that special moment captured by a professional photographer who will cater to your personal needs, look no further than Front House Photography. To schedule an appointment, call 777-1540 or visit FrontHouse Photography.Zenfolio.com to view Saliba’s portfolio. And, for the latest updates, ‘Like’ the Front House Facebook.com page at Facebook.com/FrontHousePhotography.

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