Jill Lotenberg, Photographer Extraordinaire
If you head to Jill Lotenberg’s webpage you get a totally accurate picture of this incredible woman, and even more incredible photographer. The description of Jill reads, “Good things come in small packages, and that could not be truer when it comes to working with Jill Lotenberg, founder of JillPhotography.com. Fierce, fiery, and fabulousness, perfectly packaged into a 90-pound female-founder frame, but don’t be fooled–she’s small, and as mighty as the brands she captures–her talent, leadership and work ethic keep clients coming back.” When you first meet her, you know this is all 100% accurate.
I met Jill on one of my transatlantic cruises on Celebrity. She is related to Scott and Dustin of My Lux Cruise, my travel agents. They put together large groups with members of the LGBTQ community from around the world, and allies, for the cruises they recommend. They, of course, book individual cruises for whomever wants one, but the big group ones are their specialty, and where I met Jill. She chronicles our adventures, and misadventures, and for the past couple of years has put together a book which Dustin and Scott have sent to us as memories. I have been fortunate enough to have some meals with her, and getting to know her a little better.
Jill holds a B.A. in Journalism from Rutgers University, and an A.A.S. from F.I.T. in New York City. She is proud Jill Lotenberg Photography, LLC, is certified as a Woman-Owned Business by New York State, and New York City. Now photography is her passion but she also enjoys hiking, bicycling, and playing tennis and pickleball, whenever and wherever possible. She is a real dynamo.
I love hearing her tell stories about various photo shoots, many of the rich and famous, or the infamous. One story she told me was about being hired at the last minute by a magazine to do a cover shoot of Kimberly Guilfoyle, at the time, Don Jr’s girlfriend, who it turned out had just been fired by FOX right before walking on-set. Or of her exploits as an 18-year-old, electricians’ union member (Local 3 IBEW) assigned to construction areas that had no walls separating her from the ground 50-floors below. She told of wearing a hard hat. She also told me even when wearing the hard hat she wouldn’t be seen without her blue eyeliner. She would clock in each day of her summer college job, being the only female in a male-dominated industry. The job, high up in the sky, provided her with amazing city views. She claims it was that experience which uniquely positioned her to not be afraid of sky-high risks to get the most majestic perspective for some of her photo shoots. She has literally hung out of a helicopter to capture breathtaking aerial views and overhead shots of Manhattan. She rented a barge in the NYC harbor to conjure the magic of working in the waterfront property of Manhattan. She’s navigated drone video above the tops of Manhattan buildings, and she’s balanced on a ladder with sky-high winds, while holding a camera in both hands, to capture imagery on the rooftops of the historic Woolworth Building, W Hotel Downtown, Arden House, and more.
On our cruises Jill just makes great memories for all of us by taking both posed, and natural pictures, when we are unaware we are being photographed. They are some of the best pictures. She joins us on tours off the ship as well. One day in Flam, Norway, I was with the My Lux Cruise gang, Scott, Dustin, Samantha, and Jill, along with my friends Rob and Carlos, killing time at the railway station where by some poor planning we got stuck for an hour and half. It was Jill who made good use of the time, and took some exquisite photos of the beautiful scenery, and of us mere mortals.
Now Jill’s bio is extensive and you can read from her website. “She worked for Forbes magazine (where she earned a photojournalism award from NAPP, the National Association of Press Photographers), the Courier Gannet News in NJ photographing the NFL Giants on game day from field level, and music concerts at Giants Stadium including world class bands such as U2. For seven years she honed her celebrity photography skills working in Los Angeles and helped to create cover images for Vogue, Rolling Stone, Tiger Beat, and Teen, among other top-tier national magazines. She has photographed executives, politicians and TV personalities, and celebrity chefs.” Then take a look at some of the faces of those Jill has photographed to get a feel for her amazing talent. Being able to capture an emotion through the camera or video lens, is what makes Jill and her photography so special. Jill can do it all from conceive, produce, shoot, film and deliver, final products, to all her clients.
Talent, courage, and kindness are characteristics that shine throughout Jill’s creative and professional process, from photo and video concepts, to completion. Jill is open to traveling the world to meet new people and delve into new projects. If you have a project that needs a photographer, and want someone who can also help plan the creative approach to your project; I can’t recommend anyone better than Jill Lotenberg.
