Natural poses. Limited touch-ups. No filters.
That's how photographer Julian Garcia prefers to work.
“I like to focus on the moment and the photo itself,” he said. “That’s the most important thing.”
The more candid the photograph, the better.
His philosophy reflects a broader shift in photography as people increasingly value authentic, unfiltered imagery over carefully curated perfection. In an era of artificial intelligence, edited images, and endless social media filters, people have grown more skeptical of what they see—and more appreciative of photographs that capture life as it unfolds.
Long before candid photography became a trend, Garcia developed that instinct while photographing wildlife, where nothing can be staged.
“You want to present as you are,” he said. “This is you. This is your family. This is how you actually look.”
That isn't to say he’s opposed to editing. He simply prefers capturing life as it happens, often with nature serving as the backdrop.
“The sky adds drama to pictures, and so does water,” he said. “For example, taking family photos outdoors adds another layer of beauty to it.”
Rather than directing every pose, he works quietly behind the scenes, allowing genuine interactions to unfold naturally.
“If somebody has an engagement session or a small wedding party, it’s important to maybe show people walking through a field, laughing, or giving each other a special look,” he said.
Building that level of comfort begins with trust.
“It takes a little work, but I want to make people feel comfortable,” he said. “I’m not here to stage you. I just want people comfortable enough so that they can present themselves as naturally as possible.”
While candid photography is his signature style, he understands that every session is different. Some occasions—such as school portraits—call for a more traditional approach, and those assignments helped refine his technique.
A longtime journalist, Garcia's path to photography was a natural one. As newsrooms evolved and reporters were increasingly expected to wear multiple hats, he found himself telling stories through both words and images.
That transition began while working as a sports reporter for the New York Daily News, where carrying a camera became just as important as carrying a notebook.
That experience planted the seed, but the pandemic created an unexpected opportunity as demand for outdoor photography grew.
“People from homeschool associations reached out to me and said, ‘We need our school photos,’” he said. “It was the pandemic and we weren’t allowed to do indoor photos, so I photographed them at a park.”
One referral led to another. Families shared his work on social media, word spread throughout the community, and what began as a handful of school portraits quickly evolved into a thriving side business.
School portraits soon led to birthdays, family sessions, engagements, religious celebrations, and other milestones. Before long, he was documenting families through every stage of life.
In Garcia's world, the camera does more than capture a moment. It preserves a piece of life—a bridge between past and present and a source of nostalgia that transcends generations.
That passion for preserving stories extends beyond the camera lens.
Garcia also serves as staff photographer for Denville City Lifestyle, documenting the people and places that make the community unique.
“I love having the ability to write and photograph for print,” he said. “It’s fun and it keeps me on my toes.”
For Garcia, the best photographs aren't manufactured. They're authentic glimpses of life that preserve memories long after the moment has passed.