Subtle Greens on Abbot Kinney
Forked Abbot Kinney
Sun Touched Abbot Kinney
Football on Abbot Kinney?
Abbot Kinney Mermaid
Look ahead Abbot Kinney
Painted Denim on Abbot Kinney
Snake Charm Abbot Kinney
Feeling Blue on Abbot Kinney
Floral Smiles on Abbot Kinney
Guri Osvik
Stronghold Summer on Abbot Kinney
Looking for Summer
Torn Abbot Kinney
Brimmed Abbot Kinney
Diaphanous Abbot Kinney
Typeface on Abbot Kinney
Judy Coleman
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www.judycolemanphotography.com
Where are you from?
I was born in New York, but when my father returned home after World War II (after surviving the sinking of his ship by Kamikaze pilots) we moved to Westchester County where I learned to ride at the age of four at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. Horses have been a passion in my life ever since.
Who, if anyone, would be your fashion inspiration?
Grace Kelly was my fashion idol when I was growing up. My father liked to call me Gracie (even though I didn’t think I looked like her.) I like classic American fashion with a little Venice fashion thrown in, and of the American designers, I appreciate Ralph Lauren’s incorporation of equine fashion into his line. I am also a child of the 60’s, and those fashion ideas will never leave me. I tend to shop mostly in Malibu, close to where I keep my horse.
Of course, there’s always a little Paris fashion thrown in. My red Repetto ballet flats are a staple of my wardrobe. I also read a Paris fashion blog daily.
How did you become a photographer?
I was working as a reporter for a Santa Monica newspaper. One day the paper’s photographer was sick, and my editor told me I had to cover for him. So I picked up my husband’s 35mm camera, and that was it: love at first sight. Photography took over and changed the course of my life.
Has leading a visual/creative life influenced your style?
Of course. After starting to see photographically, particularly after getting my MFA at UCLA when I was 38, I started to experiment a lot more with fashion.
What have you learned as a result of fashion?
I learned that you can change your mood, even your outlook on life, by changing your clothes.
Do you have a personal philosophy.?
Yes. Discover what you love to do, what you are good at, then work as hard as you can, harder than you ever imagined possible.
Also, appreciate each day as it comes. Each day is a gift. I learned this the hard way, through illness, and I will never forget it.
If could share one lesson with me what would it be?
Open your eyes and your mind to the artists and photographers who have gone before you. There you will find a gold mine of ideas and lessons. But, of course, find your own style.
Lunch at Gjelina with Judy Coleman
Nick Fouquet
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I spotted Nick the other day getting off his motorcycle and was delighted to see him wearing a scarf made by Matthew Schildkret of Late Sunday Afternoon. Nick had seen the profile I had done on Matthew and a few days later had his own custom Late Sunday Afternoon scarf. It brought great joy to me to see this as I believe that fashion leads to the formation of relationships. Perhaps Matthew and Nick will only have their one exchange or perhaps they’ll become collaborators on some future endeavor. What matters to me is the exchange of information that occurs when we meet, fashion is the impetus, but what truly counts is the knowledge and experiences we share with one another.
Today also marks the birthday of my friend Matthew. It has been a pleasure getting to know Matthew over the last few months. He is a young man with great depth and a ton of heart. Happy Birthday Matthew and thank you for your kindness.
Matthew with friend and model Kassidi working hard on a shoot for Late Sunday Afternoon.