Comparison 1

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Louise Pasteur

“There is no such a thing as artistic photography. In photography, like in all things, there are people who can see and others who cannot even look. – *Nadar*“

©Jeancarlo Gutierrez – Luis Rodriguez

I met Luis back in Christmas 2017 while visiting some relatives in Springfield, MA, and we became fast friends. I always love taking his portrait when we would go out and shoot since he is a budding photographer himself. This particular shot was all him though. He casually placed himself at the bar and said “Hey man, take this shot…” And that was that.

Comparison 2

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Comtesse Elizabeth Grefulhe

“If you do not SEE, if you do not KNOW,
If you do not BELIEVE, then never fly –
And continue to walk…”
― **Felix Nadar, Droit au vol. 1866**

©Jeancarlo Gutierrez – Abigail Smith

I learned over lunch just before this portrait session how interesting the backstory of Abigail is. Coming from Michigan, she has many responsibilities as a content creator, online student, employee at a company aiming to give free water to the world, and a fresh New Yorker.

Comparison 3

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Jules Verne

“We have had bird’s-eye views seen by mind’s eye imperfectly. Now we will have nothing less than the tracings of nature itself, reflected on the plate. – Nadar”

On the night of our encounter for this portrait session, I arrived at the Occulus next to the World Trade Center Memorial in New York. As we spoke on the phone to arrange were we would find each other I was able to notice Hamilton among the crowd in the center of the building. I was on the second floor Balcony. Of course this quote from Nadar comes up in my search, and I believe it fits perfectly.

Comparison 4

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Sevestre Family Child

But do not all these miracles [the steam engine, the electric light, the telephone, the phonograph, the radio, bacteriology, anesthesiology, psychophysiology] pale when compared to the most astonishing and disturbing one of all, that one which seems finally to endow man himself with the divine power of creation: the power to give physical form to the insubstantial image that vanishes as soon as it is perceived, leaving no shadow in the mirror, no ripple on the surface of the water? *(1900)* – Nadar

Penny and I just became close friends. I have usually been great with kids in the past, but Penny has been the first person to ever invite me to a tea party. A lot of important people were there, including princesses from many different kingdoms. I am a lucky guy.

Comparison 5

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Gustave Dor

This is the psychological side of photography. I don’t think that is too ambitious a term. – Nadar

Amazing how I learned more about Alex in a single 5 minute sitting as I took his portrait than in any previous encounter. When you learn to observe and find that moment that is neither flattering or unflaterring, but that is just “them”, then you can begin to see who people are.

Comparison 6

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar

**Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.**
*Kahlil Gibran*

©Jeancarlo Gutierrez – Dariana Gutierrez

Four hours with Dariana, a model from the Republic of Venezuela, and I not only get to know about her and her struggles as a fellow immigrant, but I also got an insider glimpse of the political turmoil happening down there. I found it awe inspiring how she spoke both about politics and fashion modeling with the same amount of passion.

Comparison 7

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Victor Hugo
“The portrait I do best is of the person I know best. – Nadar“

I know Cesar from somewhere near the time I was born, but he was never on the other end of my lens until we set up this shoot at his Brooklyn apartment. The quote explains the rest

Comparison 8

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar

“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” — Wess Stafford

©Jeancarlo Gutierrez – Sofia and Penelope

One day over lunch with my friends from the church I have been attending recently I met Liz Seifert and her two daughters, Sofi and Penny. It would be a few weeks later that I would befriend their mother and shortly after would get to call myself a friend of her amazing daughters. Each their own special angel, I can happily say I have enjoyed each encounter just as much as the next.

Comparison 9

Posted on February 19, 2020 by jeankoart

©Felix Nadar – Agustin Eugene

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
**– C.S. Lewis**

©Jeancarlo Gutierrez – Christopher Miller

In my darkest days in recent years, right before I tossed my camera, lens and all, I met two people that flew down like veritable angels. Christopher was one of those two people. Friend, spiritual counselor, video game sparring partner, and just an overall troll. Happy to call him one of my own.