JULIA ELIZABETH RITTER - ISSUE 18

The Florida Project

One of the many strikingly beautiful images Julia has taken. Available on her print shop for purchase.

Housekeeping

December is flying by and before I know it, it’s that Friday newsletter time again! I’ve gotta tell you guys, starting this newsletter has been one of the best creative decisions I’ve made all year and I’m excited to share more stories and favorite things with you in 2023.

I’m particularly looking forward to highlighting and sharing more photographers and artists as I find it so interesting getting to know people and their practice. Sharing this with you here on Substack feels like the perfect way to showcase both an artists visual work, but also their words as well, which are just as important, and something we don’t necessarily get a lot of on other platforms. So with that said, if you yourself fancy a feature in an issue of Love Lucy or you want to nominate a fellow photographer then shoot me an email - lucylumenanalog@gmail.com

The Coolest Girl In Florida

So I found Julia on YouTube about a year ago now and fell in love with her super chill vibe, expertly put together videos and AMAZING photography. In the first video I watched she was sipping red wine in her apartment waiting for breaks in the rain to go out and capture these moody, dimly lit scenes of her Florida neighborhood. It was love at first video and I hit subscribe, eagerly awaiting her next upload. I really hope we see more of Julia on YouTube in 2023 and I have plans to do a longer form interview on my channel with her early next year.

Let’s get into the chat so you can find out more about Julia and her recent photography project. Don’t forget to check out her channel, go say hi on IG and support her work by purchasing one of her beautiful prints or her book! All linked at the end of the interview.

A self portrait of this weeks featured artist, Julia Elizabeth Ritter.

Tell us a bit about yourself as a photographer Julia? 

I tried many art mediums before discovering photography. Music, Painting, Writing, etc. None of them felt natural to me. These other art mediums almost felt forced or I would get aggravated with myself easily. I always knew I was a creative, but I didn't know how to express it. I didn't want to give up on my journey as an artist, so I kept trying new things. It was when I was 17 that I realized all I needed was a camera in my hands. I would say that watching movies is what inspired me. I watched many older films with my Grandfather, Walter growing up as a child. More specifically, movies from the 40's & 50's that were framed 4:3. I always loved the filming style of these movies. The stills that display the setting along with the actors in the wide shot. I like to describe my photos as "cinematic stills". Images that could be an establishing shot or an opening scene in a movie. 

An example of the intriguing cinematic feeling captured so well by Julia.

I am such a big fan of your work both in still photography and your video work on YouTube. You have such a defined style and you seem to draw so much inspiration from your Florida surroundings. What is it about the area that you love so much and can you share any special connections you have to the Florida with the readers? 

I have lived on the East Coast of South Florida my whole life. Naturally, my every day surroundings remind me of different eras in my life. In my 25 years of living here, I'm already rapidly seeing some major changes. Changes I don't necessarily like. The mass influx of people moving here is only damaging our environment. Not just in the ocean, but in the Everglades as well. To give a little bit of a scientific explanation, we can't afford to keep building further West towards the Everglades and we can't keep adding high rises along the beach. In result we are tearing down historic buildings and killing animals. The Everglads is considered one of the greatest biological wonders of the world. The Northern part of the Everglades is fresh water and the Southern shifts into the ocean. In-between you have what is called "brackish" water. Where salt and fresh water animals have adapted to live amongst one another. 

Florida apartments and resorts shot by Julia on her travels. I love the color and nostalgic feeling of these.

I mention all of that to say, I fantasize about what Florida used to be quite often. A place where most people vacationed to and didn't live in. Less buildings and more open land. Although I was born in 1997 and didn't get to witness this time era, I've spent a lot of time researching on what was. I am in love with the early beach side vacation architecture that still stands today. More specifically the 50's-80's. I find a majority of these buildings driving up and down A1A. A1A is a State Road famously known for being the Atlantic Coast's scenic route, starting in Key West. There is so much history to admire on that drive and I definitely have a lot of ground I still need to cover!

An example of the damage and devastation of hurricane Ian that Julia has spent time capturing recently.

When you sent these photos through I was really struck by the Daytona Hurricane Damage scenes that you shot. I find it interesting how the pops of color from your other work have still carried through even in a bleaker setting, creating a juxtaposition of feelings and imagery. Can you talk a bit about what it was like on your recent trip and how it felt to both witness and shoot these scenes? 

I have only left the state twice in my life for a Hurricane. Once it turns into a Category 4 or 5 and making a direct hit in your area, it is heavily advised to evacuate. Most of our buildings on the South Eastern Coast of Florida are made out of cement, our streets have many drain holes to prevent flooding and everyone has either hurricane proof windows or shutters. Now in regards to Daytona Beach, which is 250 miles North of where I live. They don't get hit as hard or as often as we do down south. Their set up isn't as "hurricane proof" as ours. The same goes for the West Coast of Florida.

When hurricane Ian hit on September 23, 2022 as a Category 4, devastation was widespread. Ian ran through Cuba, turned into the Gulf of Mexico and directly hit Fort Myers. It traveled through Orlando and then Daytona Beach. Many lives, homes and businesses were lost. Especially in Fort Myers. This hurricane was unfortunately a wake up call for these other beach towns that aren't built for Category 4 or 5 hurricanes to build safer and stronger building structures.

A majority of my photos from Daytona Beach are actually apartment buildings, not motels. As I was driving/walking along the coast here, I had a conversation with an elderly lady at one of these apartment buildings. She was hanging over her balcony on the second floor as I was taking photos of a drained out pool. She began to tell me that her building might need to be evicted and torn down. I could hear in the tone of her voice how torn up she was, having lived there for almost a decade.

An important event that Julia has documented and hearing her experience shooting it makes it even more impactful and thought provoking.

Seeing the damage and listening to her story had me redefine my purpose as a photographer. How important it is to capture history in these buildings before either we ourselves as humans destroy them or mother nature does herself.

You have already released a stunning book of work Julia, will there be another one on the cards in 2023? What else do you plan to work on or towards in the new year? 

My last photobook is drastically different from the one I am working on now. This docu series I have been shooting is definitely not done yet. In January of 2023, I have a couple of road trips planned out around the coast of Florida and will hopefully wrap it up soon! I don't want to give away too much information about it, but I will say there are many photos I've kept locked in my archives and haven't posted about to keep exclusive for when I do release it.

Shot by Julia Elizabeth Ritter

Lastly, where can people find you and connect with you if they want to purchase prints, your book or even work with you on a project or bounce an idea around?

You can find me on Instagram, my Website and YouTube! Instagram: @juliaelizabethritter

Website: juliaelizabethritter.com (best for print purchasing and custom orders + creative collaborations through my contact tab)

YouTube: Julia Elizabeth Ritter

A huge thank you to to Julia for sharing her work and her story with us. I can’t wait to see what she does next! If you enjoyed this interview and learning about a new photographer then please consider sharing this newsletter with a friend, or on social media so more people can get involved and inspired.

All photography courtesy of Julia Elizabeth Ritter. Thank you.