James Lohrey

Wednesday, 21 July 2004
"The Secret... all the models are beautiful girls; look at Robyn Lynn, here: she really is a wonderful lady, one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. But, when the models are looked from Lohrey's objective, they become more beautiful, much more beautiful and charming. I know: the scene is well studied, as well as the light, the make up, etc. Surely Lohrey wants to photograph not only a woman, but also a special atmosphere; and many details, together, may help to create that atmosphere. But I'm not sure that these "details" can explain how this photographer may succeed in making women so beautiful and sensual. It seems that he does not only portrait faces and bodies, but also souls."
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by RM, Finearts-Blog ©

lunedì, 24 maggio 2004
Ogni artista, ogni vero artista, cerca di capire la realtà e di penetrare anche quelle zone più profonde esplorando le quali si possono meglio comprendere le angosce, i sogni, i desideri, le paure.
Non importa se l'artista usa mezzi colti, oppure se si serve di strumenti semplici, di livello popolare.
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James Lohrey è un fotografo di moda, uno che lavora cercando il massimo profitto e stipula volentieri contatti con chiunque lo paghi. Ciò non gli impedisce di essere comunque un grande artista e, anche mentre scatta fotografie che tentano di far vendere biancheria intima, calze da donna, abiti, scarpe e profumi, di riuscire a svelare e a raccontare ciò che accade dietro le cortine dell'apparenza..
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by RM, Finearts-Blog ©

Monday, 18 October 2004
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Three picture by James Lohrey, three portraits of walking women. Among the lands that an artist may need to explore, some are very dangerous, such as the sacred art and the study of the beauty of the woman.
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In the case of sacred art, it is extremely easy to fall into mannerism; and to tell the truth in recent times sacred art could produce, with a few exceptions, just small holy pictures; maybe big pictures for what concerns the size, but small for what concerns their capacity of telling us of God. Nothing that can be compared with the masterpieces of the ancient Masters. Also those great artists of the twentieth century which attempted sacred art, it seems to me, could not do much more than pleasant works.
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I think that the situation is not much different if we consider how the woman is represented in art: we'll find lots of oleography. Oleographic and stereotyped are most of the images pubblished by the magazines, such as fashion magazines; but also many ( or most) of the artistic nudes that we can see fall into oleography, if not into pornography. Also many advertising campaings aiming at shocking the public cannot do much more than stereotypes. This happens because the woman (but also the man) is only used; there is not the wish to understand and to describe her: she, a car or a water closet are showed just to stimulate consumers' purchases.
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As the woman and her body is so much used for this purpose, it may be a bit difficult to realize the difference between this way of using and showing the woman, and the purity of a disinterested research led by someone, like James Lohrey, who devoted his own life to the study of femininity. But it will be easy to overcome these difficulties if only one looks at some of his pictures: they do not contain any purchase proposal, they do not press, they do not overwhelm, nor wink, they do not shout, they do not offend; they simply tell the beauty. And this is art.
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by RM, Finearts-Blog ©

Exposing The Elegance of Women Thru Black and White Photography
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By G. Thomas Downing, January 2004
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When seeking the creative skills and international talent of a fashion photographer most will automatically think Paris, L.A. or New York City but never Mentor, Ohio. But, this is home to photographer James Lohrey. He did in fact travel abroad when he moved to Paris to attend Speos Photographic Institute. This is where Lohrey realized how crucial it would be to actually step out and follow his instincts if he were to make a difference. A difference he did make. “I studied fashion photography in Paris, but I have never liked working in the studio. I am a trained painter, and I like having an atmosphere and depth to my frame rather than having an artificial backdrop.” Lohrey expressed. “I feel that the studio homogenizes the feel. I find it is difficult to shoot a posing model or human mannequin, plus I just don’t enjoy it”. With this in mind, Lohrey went outside the studio and did some extra curricular shooting of his own with a beautiful 17 year old Russian model, Katia Rybakova. “It was absolutely critical to get a model who can be completely at ease and look natural in front of the camera.” proclaimed Lohrey. The instructors recognized Lohrey's unique style, and he was personally invited by the director of Atelier Chardon Savard to work independently with their aspiring fashion designers.
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“Photography needs to strike an emotion and communicate a feeling” Lohrey retorted when asked what his approach to a shoot was. When communicating a feeling it must not be perfect, some disorder in composition needs to take place” He continued. One can’t help but wonder how much cargo is being transported from location to location since you shoot in the real world. “Quite honestly it is a very simple production. All that is needed is a camera, a photographer, and a model. I utilize as much natural lighting as possible and the use of a simple light bulb or two when needed.”
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I understand that you worked on a lingerie shoot that you and many local ladies did in Historical Little Italy in Cleveland, what was that like? “That was a great experience, we shot in the local restaurants. The lingerie came from Sera Bella also from Little Italy. We were very well received, and I think the restaurant owners were pleased about the artistry of the photography. These images are now hanging on the wall at Sera Bella, a romantic boutique shop.”

I was born in 1947 in the USA. I have a degree in Science at Cleveland State University, and had a career as a manufacturing engineer. In by early forties, I developed an interest in photography which soon lead into the study of art. I have studied many art disciplines including fashion design, but most of my studies were directed towards painting.

I use the camera to capture the feeling, beauty and the sensuality of women. I find that the pure simplicity of black and white allows the viewer to see the visual design, but more importantly, to feel the emotional texture. Both the model and myself need to work on the subconscious level, this is when the magic happens. A beautiful women is even more fascinating to look at when she is allowed to reveal her own style of sensuality.