Julia Phillips - Poets & Writers Magazine Cover Photo Shoot

Case Study: Portraits of Julia Phillips for Poets & Writers Magazine

By Andres Hernandez – Portrait Photographer, New York

Collaborating with Poets & Writers magazine for their cover feature on author Julia Phillips was a true creative highlight. As a portrait photographer based in New York, I've always been drawn to photographing writers and artists in their environments—spaces that quietly reveal something essential about who they are.

Julia, best known for her critically acclaimed debut Disappearing Earth, welcomed us into her home for the session. It was the ideal backdrop—personal, poetic, and textured with subtle cues about her inner world. The goal was to craft cinematic and timeless portraits. These images echoed the emotional depth of her writing while feeling visually classic and intimate.

Creative Direction & Visual Approach

From the beginning, the intention was to keep things cinematic yet restrained. We leaned into natural light and layered it with minimal continuous sources to shape mood and dimension. The visual language was guided by softness, shadows, and stillness, highlighting Julia's quiet strength and intellectual presence.

As a portrait photographer, I've found that the best portraits come from slowing down. This wasn't about capturing a single "smile for the camera" moment but allowing time and conversation to lead us into something real. We spent the morning talking about her writing process, landscape, and the emotional terrain of her new novel, Bear.

The Experience

Photographing Julia at home felt more like a dialogue than a photoshoot. The moments we captured were reflective, rooted in her surroundings, and meant to honor the person behind the work, not just the public figure.

At the end of the session, Julia gave me a signed copy of Bear, her latest novel. This was a beautiful close to an inspiring collaboration.

Final Thoughts

The resulting portraits—one of which graces the cover of Poets & Writers—are among my favorites in recent memory. It was an honor to photograph Julia and contribute to a publication that continues to champion the literary community with depth and care.

If you're looking for a portrait photographer in New York and need portraits with soul, story, and staying power, I'm just a message away.