"My dream, thus mission in life, is to travel around the world and photograph beautiful people, animals, events and destinations. As I explore, discover and photograph these rich, hidden treasures of the world, I will bring my vision, unique voice and energy to photographs that bring the world beauties for all to imagine, dream and acquire”.

 Julian Starks - 2017

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER:  I started in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a dance troupe called ‘FLEX’. Our group won numerous dance contests locally, which got us recognized nationally. Dancing brought me to New York City, where I stated my career as an established working actor, having studied under acting teacher legends, Sanford Meisner and Bobby Lewis. I privately studied with Martin Barter from the famous Neighborhood Playhouse Theater, as well.  I was well trained in the mediums of theater, film, national television shows and commercials.

I spent six of those years in New York City as a mobile disc jockey to supplement my acting career, as well. I also started my career on the filmmaking side of the business by attending The School of Visual Arts where I studied screenwriting and directing.

I moved to Los Angeles in 1996 to further my acting career in film and television. I studied with notable teachers, such as Larry Moss, Ivana Chubbuck and Aaron Speiser. I also continued my filmmaking education at UCLA Extension School for filmmaking, where I studied screenwriting, directing and editing. In 2002, I invested my creative life full-time to filmmaking by enrolling in THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL. My concentrations were directing, screenwriting, producing and editing.

In 2004, I formed Hollywood Filmmakers Inc., a film production company. A distributor has just picked up my first feature documentary film, A JOURNEY TO SUNDANCE, a 13-year torturous-making film. It intertwines the story of Robert Redford and his fabled Sundance Film Festival. It also documents the story of the struggles a filmmaker (me) endures to create an independent film and finally, the triumph of presenting it to the public. I executive produced, produced, directed, composed and co-edited this film.

In 2012, while filming A Journey to Sundance, I fell in love with the still photo and decided to enroll full-time at the BROOKS INSTITUTE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY in Ventura, CA. After graduating, I have spent much of the last several years following my passion for wild animals by traveling the world to photograph them in both natural and confined settings. I began to appreciate that without sanctuaries and sometimes, unfortunately, confinement, many species would soon perish or become dangerously close to extinction.

To that end, I created VISIONS OF THE WORLD Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company devoted to raising public awareness and to assisting the entities that try to make life for the Endangered Wild Animals as safe and comfortable as possible. My first project is “LIFE BEHIND BARS” Vol. 1, a Fine Art Photography book. The book was titled after the photographic series that I started in order to honor the beauty of animals in captivity, and to support the many individuals and organizations that have dedicated themselves to caring for and protecting these magnificent beasts.

I created Visions of the World to help support wild animal sanctuaries and institutions like those featured in this book. A percentage of all proceeds from the book; photos and all other ancillary products will go to the sanctuaries and institutions featured within these pages.

Next project: “LIFE Behind Bars…Except if You’re Free” Vol. 2

“LIFE Behind Bars…Except if You’re Free” Vol. 2 which will focus on the conservation efforts of the Gorillas and Big African Cats in their natural habitat – Africa!

We are dedicating this second book in this series of books to DIAN FOSSEY, whose work regarding the conservation of the Mountain Gorilla’s has been an inspiration for our project.

Julian invites you to become more aware and to join in the worthy fight to save a place on this earth for these noble creatures to survive!

Please visit my websites to see all of my work from around the World!!! 

www.julianstarksphotography.com - Worldwide Photography

www.visionsoftheworld.org - Non-Profit Company/Photography & Fine Art Photography Book

www.ajourneytosundance.com  - Filmmaker/ Feature documentary film

www.flagsandplanes.com - Pride of America Photography

www.shadesofcolor.shop - Sportswear Clothing Line

www.julianstarks.com - Actor-Filmmaker-Writer- Producer