about
bio
PJZ Studios is the photography of Peter James Zielinski.
He is a staff photographer for both Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS and BroadwayWorld.com as well as a freelance photographer for Playbill.com
His work has been seen on television (CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, Theater Talk), displayed in national publications (AP, Variety, New York Times, The NY Post, NY Daily News, Time Out Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Next Magazine and PerezHilton.com) and he has shot with hundreds of headshot clients in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
His career as a theatrical photographer was born at the very heart of The Great White Way. From in-studio shoots of Original Cast recordings, to shooting hundreds of Broadway and Off Broadway red carpets, to covering the after parties for the Tony Awards. He even had the honor of capturing the very moment Stephen Sondheim had a theater named after him.
In 2009, he photographed as well as designed both The Women of Rock of Ages and The Men of Rock of Ages calendars to benefit the BCEFA.
Most recently, Peter created a gallery installation of all the Broadway theaters in High Dynamic Range at the Actors Equity Association Lounge. For decades to come, actors working in New York City will come across this work as they walk into the audition room.
He currently lives in Hell's Kitchen in NYC.
headshots
Artist's Statement:
Along with being a photographer, I bring the unique perspective of being an actively working, Equity actor in New York. Either we've worked at the same theaters or we'll eventually have worked in the same places. I personally know and audition for the very casting people that you do. I've sat down with many of them and specifically asked what they look for, what they want to see, what distracts them, etc. We're on the same page.
My background of coming from the theater will also help us to approach your session from an acting standpoint. The basic concepts of being open, listening and responding honestly, and connecting with your audienece are all essential to our shoot. Here is a great quote that reiterates this idea:
It's all about being comfortable...with me and with the camera. This takes time and team work. We work together to mentally get you to that point where you can visually tell a story.
And that's our process: getting to that place of comfort, gaining that trust, actually having fun....so all that's left is that expression on your face...that little something extra behind your eyes that will get you in the door.
And the rest is up to you.
