Jerry is a wonderfully talented photographer as well as a kind, perceptive, and intelligent human being. I have had the pleasure of working with him twice, the first time at a dance event and the second in Washington, D.C. Both shoots have resulted in professional pictures that represent the musician I aspire to be. Jerry’s pictures stand out to me for their thoughtful compositions, striking backgrounds, and emotional authenticity. From headshots to album covers to dance photography, Jerry is an amazingly versatile photographer whose work you will cherish.

Renee M.

We realized early on that Jerry goes beyond taking pictures. His artistic ability captures creative and inspirational moments for both the artist and the viewer. Working with Jerry never feels like work. He has a wonderful way of putting everyone at ease. He may not think so, but we believe that Jerry would be great at Stand Up Comedy!!! We are blessed to have come across such a talented professional and great person. Looking forward to our next shoot!

Markus & Tren, StuckOnSwing

When you shoot with Jerry, anything is possible. Jerry perfectly combines the feeling of total safety with that of freedom and exploration. Working on the ‘Dapper Lady’ concept was interesting to me, as I don’t identify with either of those terms, and generally see myself more as ‘children’s TV presenter’ in my ‘vibe’. However, the concept gave me an opportunity to explore how I look without a giant grin on my face, and the result was a set of images where I feel I truly ‘landed’ in my 30’s as an ‘adult’. I look COOL, which is something I never thought possible. I have every confidence that you could work with Jerry on any brief, and he would find a way to highlight any story you wished to tell in a thoughtful and artistic way.

Cat F.

Jerry Almonte has played an essential role in documenting the atmosphere of Lindy Focus since the first year he showed up with a camera. His unique eye somehow captures the mood of a moment in a way that shouldn't be possible, since our event is not optimized with photography in mind at all. My theory is that his own deep artistic sensibility is somehow able to tap into the "core inspiration" of any moment, bringing to life the original creative impulse of the dancers, choreographers, musicians, and other humans at whom he points his lens. Often when I think back on meaningful moments in music and dance -- either at our event or elsewhere out in the world -- it's one of Jerry's iconic photos that leaps to mind as that scene's definitive portrait.

Michael Gamble, owner of Lindy Focus, bandleader of the Rhythm Serenaders

I often look at images Jerry has captured of me and think “I want to be like her when I grow up.” He’s an artist who helps you express your strength - and when you find that artist, they’re your first call for every shoot. Jerry creates a zero-judgement atmosphere and offers you a role in the collaborative process, should you want one. He gives you freedom to play and experiment, to just try it. That freedom combined with his technical skill has led to many portraits that I genuinely cherish.

Lauren D.

Working with Jerry Almonte is unlike anything I have ever experienced. As someone who rarely finds themselves as the subject of photography, Jerry curated creative collaboration and inspired wholesome authenticity within each of my fellow dancers. Behind his camera felt like the familiar home of the dancefloor. We found ourselves effortlessly flowing from one shot to the next, with the expert guidance of a man who not only knows the right angles but

encourages you to make your own. Never once is the natural movement of the artist interrupted. Jerry Almonte has the capacity to make a beginner feel like an expert and an expert feel like a beginner again. What is captured in the lens of Almonte is something of a tale, a story waiting to be discovered, and a movement destined to be amplified.

Lea W.

Jerry Almonte is a true professional, and he loves telling stories. We were excited when he said yes to coming up to Montreal to photograph our event, and he didn't disappoint. I'd say what makes Jerry unique is his curiosity for what's unfolding in front of his camera. That's what makes his work special. You know that what he will capture will be unique, and also be reverent to the subject at hand. I wouldn't hesitate to hire him again!

Alain W.

Jerry is a truly passionate and skilled photographer. He has a unique and artful eye that can capture a variety of moments, expressions and feelings unlike any other. Jerry was a joy to work with throughout the entire process, being communicative, encouraging and helpful. I highly recommend Jerry and his work to anyone looking for meaningful and stunning photography.

Jessica N.

It was my first photoshoot and I was a bit apprehensive, but working with Jerry was very easy and relaxing. It really felt like, all my dance partner and I had to do, was to do our thing and Jerry would take care of the rest. And that's how it went! We focused on our dancing, had a good time and this resulted in beautiful pictures with wonderful backgrounds. It looked like us and our love for the dance shone right through.

Marie N.

Working with Jerry is a treat. He is patient, compassionate, and always eager to explore new ideas. He approaches each project with a clear and compelling vision, but also brings along a seemingly endless well of flexibility, curiosity, and openness. I always feel seen and heard in our collaborations, and the photos are a testament to the level of trust and communication he fosters.

Hannah M.-M.

I really loved this shoot because it was right at a point when I was exploring my queerness and a new side of my gender presentation and you created such a great space for me to explore and play with a new sense of style and a new sense of identity without feeling self-conscious or silly or like I was playing a role. I have followed your work for years, and I really wanted to do a shoot with you because I love your use of light, and I love how your subjects always look so self-assured and confident and your photos always seem to capture such a depth of emotion or character. Looking at the photos we took together, I love that I feel like I can see a side of myself that I had not really found a way to show off yet but I look totally at home and confident in that identity. Taking these photos was so much fun and helped me feel so much more confident to wear a suit to dress up for New Year’s Eve, or to go to the opera, or to wear a tie to a virtual interview. They are now my favorite professional headshots and I feel like they really capture the essence of who I want to be as a queer, Texan lawyer.

Clara G.-F.

Jerry's method is perpetual tinkering. This curiosity, a kind of searching, shows in his shots of live and studio compositions. Everything is a collaborative experiment, riffing on a structure, long form improvisation in the personalities of our corner of the jazz world, represented visually.

Lily K.

I’ve always enjoyed Jerry’s portraits because they always come with a story. He is interested in the person in front of the camera, and he is interested in what makes them unique. This bears out in the final photo as he manages to capture the character and spirit behind the movement and shapes they are making. Being a dancer himself, Jerry encourages and almost expects strong, if not quirky, poses and I think that gives us the confidence to try things and to play out the poses we’ve always had in our heads.

Sing L.

I did a rather intimate photoshoot with Jerry, and he was super professional and kept me at ease the entire time, no matter how vulnerable I felt. He was very eager to collaborate with my ideas, and both he and his assistant took a lot of care to make sure I was comfortable and looked excellent in every shot.

Rachel D.

I'm not a person who knows (or has been taught) how to "be" in front of a camera, so one of the things I really appreciate about going into a shoot with Jerry is that there's always the sense that we're going to discover something, together. I get the sense that this is part of how Jerry approaches his work: with a mind and an eye that's open to seeing you for who you are and the moment for what it is. The honesty in the results is evident, as is the creativity with which Jerry envisions his beautiful shots. Jerry is also just a good person and fun to be around - important qualifications, in my book. I highly recommend working with Jerry!

Jenny S.

Jerry and I have worked together on two photoshoots — and both have been magical in different ways. For both shoots, he had a lot of great locations in mind, and a great deal of interesting shots to take. He was open to my ideas, and entertained each pose and outfit that I suggested. Fabulous results and a wonderful time spent together.

Gaby C.

Working with Jerry is a complete joy and sublime experience. Every time we have worked together on a photography project I learn something new from him, about myself through the process, and we both learn about art as we create together. It’s been a series of discoveries and epiphanies that result in smiles and incredible shots. The results take my breath away, as I know that some of the best work was the product of a curiosity behind the lens or a “let’s try something!” attitude. I’ve never felt more comfortable with a photographer to explore and create. I cannot recommend working with Jerry highly enough.

Kylie M.

Working with Jerry was great. As someone who doesn't model and has no idea how to pose for a photo shoot, he really helped me feel comfortable and dare I even say, natural, in the shoot environment. I'm very pleased with the shots we got!

Todd Y.

I've had several photo shoots with Jerry and I always feel that he is able to understand how I want to look on film, even as my aesthetic changes from shoot to shoot. He is one of the most comforting photographers I've worked with, and he makes me feel like we can take the time to get things right. He has a special eye for integrating figure and environment into "hero shots" that are inspiring and beloved. I would trust him with just about any subject matter for shooting, and I can't wait to work with him again.

Erin M.

I have little experience posing for photos, but Jerry made our sessions go very smooth and they felt very productive. He’s very easygoing and easy to work with. Jerry allowed me to be myself and explore my own ideas, while also providing his own input and direction where he wants to take the session. Last but not least, Jerry is just also such a pleasant person, and it was such a pleasure to have gotten opportunities to work with him.

Andrew J.

Working with Jerry was a dream. He is detail oriented and balances his need for feeling (and being) prepared, with the understanding that also maintaining room to manoeuvre is needed for true alchemy. I felt at ease and respected with my vision for the shoot, while simultaneously knowing his artist’s eye would ensure success despite my vision!!

I really can’t wait to work with you again, Jerry. It was a long held goal to have a shoot with you and now I know how fun it is you’ll always have a keen bean model in me.

Sarah S.

It's always a pleasure to work with Jerry! Working with him feels like a collaboration and I'm able to push myself farther through our shoots. He has an eye for capturing moments and the ability to make the dancer feel comfortable in the space.

Elena V.

Jerry is such a pleasure to work with. I always feel at ease when in front of his camera. He gives clear, helpful guidance, is down to earth while fiercely artistic, and the end results are absolutely stunning.

Irina A.

I was delighted to be a part of my first photoshoot (as a dancer) with Jerry as a part of the UD swing dance group's visit to DC for DCLX. Little did we know we'd later be asked to join him on an impromptu shoot that summer in Philly). His willingness to allow our expression to take center stage even though many of us were only intermediate dancers revealed his trust in us and his desire for honesty from his subjects. We were encouraged to dance naturally in the jam circle, albeit with a wider smile than we'd be used to. That summer, we had even more freedom to come up with poses for still shots and even got a sense of Jerry's improvisation as it started to drizzle. We waited out the rain as long as we could, but since many of us were already wet and couldn't dry off, we ended up accepting our fate and doing a dramatic group shot. All in all, Jerry is an expert at collaborating with his subjects, ensuring our comfort and confidence with our dancing, and is able to consistently capture and pinpoint the moments when we're at our most dynamic and natural.

Eric C.

Jerry is an excellent photographer and collaborator, and an absolute joy to work with. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. He had an overall vision for the shoots, but left them wide open for my own interpretation and inspirations. He was encouraging of all my ideas, even when I wasn’t too confident in them or they started to get a little ridiculous, like climbing on a trash heap in heels or hanging upside down from a railing... And he always managed to turn them into beautiful images. But he also had plenty of suggestions, directions, and ideas to offer whenever I found myself stuck in a rut or becoming overly analytical or self-conscious. Communication was always free and easy which created a safe space for creativity to flourish. Jerry never ceases to see the beauty in the world and capture it. I look forward to being a part of that again soon.

Danielle E.

I would like to share my experience working with Jerry. He is a very professional photographer and helpful to clients in picking out the best ideas for the shoot. He was very flexible with what I needed, making everything work smoothly. I am really very satisfied with his experience and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer.

Mohamed A.

I've had the pleasure to work with Jerry a couple years ago as he offered to do a photoshoot with me when he was in Montreal. He was able to understand and capture the intensity of my art form (Krump) very quickly although it was his first time shooting a Krump dancer! His professionalism, his listening and directing put me at ease from the start and it shows in the incredible pictures he took!

Valérie C.

I was lucky to work with Jerry a few times, and each time was special. He’s very open to many different styles of shoots; portraits, weird dance shapes, and even action shots. Some of my favorite photos of me are done by him! During shoots he’s very considerate and supportive, making photos look natural and relaxed. I was very impressed with his space management: setting up a photoshoot studio in a hotel room takes a lot of skill!

Rafal P.

No matter the environment or focus of the shoot, Jerry's approach to photography is creative, collaborative, and curious, but still down-to-earth. Whether you've known him for a few days or a few years, he's the type of person who immediately puts you at ease and feel like you can talk to about anything. This is all in addition to the fact that Jerry is a supremely talented photographer.

Liz E.

I had the great fortune to get to do a group photoshoot with Jerry Almonte at ILHC 2019. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to work with one of my favourite photographers. He was able to capture some genuinely beautiful moments and made the whole process really exciting and easy. It felt like we were all experimenting and creating something beautiful together. A+ experience, would recommend and can't wait to get to do it again.

Katie C.

A friend and I reached out to Jerry to have a joint photo shoot at an event. The day of the shoot we were admittedly a little nervous when we walked into the small room that Jerry had set up like a studio. Despite the limited space and initial nervousness, Jerry created a warm, easy-going environment that, once we got going, made for some great photos as well as a really good time! He was open and encouraging about our ideas, gave us suggestions, and showed us the photos as we went along so we could see what we liked and what we didn't. Jerry knows how to capture movement and has an eye for shapes and poses that really allows dancers to shine in his work.

Sarah CJ

Working with Jerry is such an enjoyable experience - he was so open to anything I wanted to try and gave great feedback. He is warm, funny, and a great collaborator. I’m very self-conscious, but Jerry created a laid back atmosphere that allowed me to relax and open up which produced some of my favorite pictures of myself in a really long time. One of the reasons I wanted to work with him is because I love the way his photos evoke great feeling - you can really see the emotion in everything he does.

Kelly Y

As someone who has always had an aversion to getting her photo taken, I was really afraid to take part in a professional photoshoot. But Jerry made me feel so at ease and not so out of place! His photos made me feel so beautiful and I am so happy with how they came out! He is an extremely talented photographer and I feel lucky to have been photographed by him!

Katie D

I had a photoshoot with Jerry a while back and he is absolutely wonderful! He is professional and patient, making sure that he understands your vision, art form, and level of comfort. In addition, Jerry is exceptional with taking photos of dancers, which is incredibly difficult. His photos catch not only the movement of the dancer, but also the emotions behind the dance, making you, the audience, feel like you were present in the space where the photo was taken.

Nora D.

As a member of the Lindy hop scene, I had been admiring Jerry’s talent for capturing gorgeous dance moments for quite a while by the time I saw him put out a call for shoots with dancers of other styles. I had just started teaching kizomba and was eager to have a few beautiful shots of my own. Unfortunately I am the kind of person who freezes up and gets unnatural in front of a camera. Jerry was incredibly patient and encouraging, and from that first shoot came one shot so compelling that I have found it up on dance studio websites (that I have no affiliation with!) as far away as Australia and Romania. I have been lucky enough to work with Jerry a couple of times since then, and while I have remained rather inept as a model, Jerry’s patience has never wavered (even when I am so self-conscious as to cherry pick only a few photos I feel comfortable with his posting publicly). It’s a delight to see his genuine joy in playing with light and lines, and honestly just plain fun to wander around dancing against different backdrops while Jerry finds just the right angle.

Rachel C

Working with Jerry for a photoshoot with my partner and I was fun and effortless. Coordinating details for the shoot was easy and communication was clear and professional. During the shoot Jerry was great at guiding us to result in photos that afterwards that we enjoyed and I thought reflected our personalities.

Andrew S.

I have had the pleasure of shooting on-location twice with Jerry Almonte. Jerry conducts his photoshoots with professional curiosity - always open to the subject's creative ideas, but knows when to provide appropriate direction, resulting in a strong capture. In my experience working with Jerry, it is evident he endeavors to learn about his subjects in order to accurately depict the persona or present surroundings. Jerry is a creative genius, and the stories told through his lenses invoke emotion.

If you are searching for a photographer in the DC Metro area, I strongly encourage you to consider Jerry Almonte for your next session.

Victoria D.

Working with Jerry was a wonderful experience. Jerry's eye is clearly tasteful and refined, but that can be immediately discerned from every picture. What isn't obvious from his portfolio is the professionalism and care that he puts into working with clients. Being shy in front of the camera myself, Jerry's calming, reassuring direction was what I needed to get the most from the shoot while continually enjoying the experience. His collaborative style blends ideas from everyone in front of and behind the camera, creating artistically exciting images beyond the sum of the parts. The whole thing is enriching and fun. I can't recommend Jerry highly enough.

David B.

My session with Jerry felt more like casually hanging out with a friend than it felt like a photo shoot. I may have been dressed in my finest in the midst of a bunch of lighting equipment, but Jerry's relaxed, engaging conduct made everything feel as natural as sitting down for coffee. The resulting portraits are at once very genuine and very professional - I am very grateful to have them!

Jen H.

Jerry, as amazing as he is at finding subtlety and character in the people he photographs, is equally comforting and relaxing and encouraging in process. As someone who felt nervous and self-conscious being photographed, Jerry did a great job of reducing the pressure and making me feel like we were just having a casual catch-up over coffee, which was very reassuring.

Kevin C.

Jerry Almonte loves to take photographs. You can see that his passion, curiosity, and interest lays the foundation for every single photo. He is truly inspired, and follows his instinct and heart.

Ramona S.

I have worked with Jerry in a professional capacity multiple times, have recommended him to companies and artists, and have frequently had him book my space for photo shoots of various kinds. Professional and very knowledgeable, Jerry still works tirelessly to improve his skills and stay up to the minute. I cannot recommend him enough.

Michael S.

I have seen Jerry’s work for years and always admired it, so I was super excited to do a photoshoot with him and it turned out just perfect! What I expected and the atmosphere through the whole time was great!

Pamela G.

Working with Jerry was an incredible gift. His photos captured the essence of my dancing and my dance partnerships. I’ll treasure the shots he took of me forever.

Megan M.

Jerry Almonte is an incredible artist who brings out a ton of play and emotion in all his subjects - including me! I was so surprised; never having had a professional photo shoot I was very nervous, but he made me feel super comfortable and the results were so great I was literally shocked.

Rosie R.

I’ve had 3 photo shoots with Jerry Almonte and I absolutely love how each turned out. The lighting, colors and city setting have always worked out perfectly for what I was trying to go for! Jerry is super professional, friendly and very helpful with directing the whole shoot and making me feel comfortable. I can’t wait to book another one with him that captures my love for dance and fitness!

Margie T.

A few years ago, I took part of Jerry's Dapper Lady photo project. We shot in St Louis during the Nevermore Jazz Ball dance event. The photos capture the beauty and fun of that day. Jerry let me be my silly self as we climbed trees and traipsed around. The hours flew by as we learned about each other and discovered St Louis. I love how Jerry's photos capture the ephemeral winter light in such a magical way.

Lainey S.

Jerry was so much fun to work with! He put me and my friend at ease, and took some amazing photos that I use for my professional dance work to this day! I highly recommend booking him, he’s very talented, kind, and does amazing work!

Stephanie M.

My photo shoot with Jerry was a lot of fun and I'm still impressed with the variety of pictures we got while being limited to a small and simple room. Jerry's set up made me feel comfortable trying out different poses and bringing in my own ideas. I still love the photos that came out of this shoot today, many years later.

Maren M.

The shoot was a kind of last minute idea of Jerry's to check out and feel the vibe of the Montreal Jazz Fest. It was a fun, improvised shoot that captured some of the spirit of the festival and a moment of our lives as dancers with a second baby on the way.

On another note, this was not the objective with our shoot, but I also love Jerry's more moody and intimate work.

Natasha O.

I loved working with Jerry! I am not a person who has had professional photographs taken very often (unless you count going to the Sears photo studio in the 90s), and Jerry put me at ease and made me feel comfortable in front of the camera. His photographs are gorgeous, and he has worked with such a range of models and situations (posed vs. candid vs. in motion) that he will be able to capture whatever you're after.

Amy S.

Jerry's photo shoots were so easy and fun. He was able to capture the joy of dancing I'm sure everyone feels but of which we are never able to get a good image. I loved the photos. There's no comparison between what a professional photographer can capture and what others or I capture using my phone, so this was a big treat!

Patricia M.

It was a great day of shooting. We had so much fun wandering and dancing in the streets near the canal and old port of Montreal. Jerry made me feel comfortable and confident! He was able to capture a lot of great moments in my dance. I even used some pictures for professional purposes!

Elie-Anne R.

Jerry was easy-going and creative, full of suggestions and ready to try out my ideas. I've always been a bit camera-shy, but I felt comfortable working with him.

Tess M.

Shooting with Jerry was a great experience -- I was pleased with the results, of course, but Jerry was great through the whole shoot. He clearly had an eye for what he wanted to produce, and was able to find the nuances of location, position, and angles to create a distinct feel for all the images. I really appreciated his clear but flexible direction!

Breanna P.

I was excited for my shoot with Jerry but I was nervous that I wouldn't know how to pose. Jerry was so calm and easy going which made it easy to relax, and he never made me feel as if I was doing something wrong.

Julia G.

Jerry is an amenable light-seeker — his drive to learn and grow as an artist makes him a delightful collaborator.

Emily F.

Your patience and insight bring out so much more than I can ever capture of myself. They go a long way towards realizing the way I want to see myself.

Like many others, I had the privilege of getting to know you slowly over many years on and off of the dance floor. For as long as I can remember, you have been a steady constant in the Baltimore-DC Dance Community. As a dancer, an organizer, a DJ, and a friend, you have seen our community from most angles. You have a way of being a part of the atmosphere, contributing without being glaring or disruptive. You are an excellent observationalist and your reflections are always enriching. You contribute something tangible for the sake of doing it and being a part of something, rather than individual attention. You bring these perspectives, these eyes, and this analysis to your photography.

Working with you on our various photo projects was easily the high point of a several-year span. It is one of the things I miss the very most since moving away. We sat on marble steps eating mediocre takeaway and dreamt of making art in the harsh light of midday. You let me bring every aspect of my ridiculous personality into our collaboration and captured me better than I could have imagined. I felt like every time we met you had new angles, settings, lighting experiments, or ideas to try out. At the same time, you tempered some of my eccentricity in staging in a friendly and respectful manner and it strengthened the results.

In the age of social media, we scroll endlessly past curated accounts of high-quality photography and more art than ever before. Somehow, your art always makes me pause. Beyond the excellent concepts behind your women in menswear or street dance projects, the stories that you tell are compelling and meaningful. You artfully juxtapose the warmth of individuals with the cold architecture of Washington DC. You have a gift for capturing the very real joy of sharing a dance with someone.

I cannot express how much I am looking forward to working with you again.

Anne W.

Jerry was wonderful to work with! I had him do a professional branding shoot of me for my business. He suggested a great location and was very communicative prior to the photoshoot. I am a tad camera shy and he helped me feel comfortable and was great at giving me directions during the shoot so he could get lots of different shots that looked natural and captured a lot of my personality. He was extremely prompt in getting me my photos and I was overall very pleased with all the shots we selected and he edited for me. He is professional and talented! Great combo!

Tiffany Brantner, Brantner Bookkeeping

I loved working with Jerry! He is a very thoughtful and introspective photographer and collaborator. I felt totally comfortable and creative in his presence. We had the most amazing day on Portobello Road. I often struggle with the balance between my vintage-inspired and contemporary style and I am very proud of the shots we captured together. I look at them and think Jerry really captured my lightness and power.

Nancy H.

Working with Jerry was so easy, fun, and professional! He clearly communicated the vision and vibe of the shoot ahead of time, had great ideas for poses (or adjustments to make when I would offer a pose to make sure we got the lighting/angle just right), and made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the whole process. It felt like we were just hanging out as friends, and there happened to be a camera in the room - easy and relaxed. The end result was a gorgeous set of photos that captured the awesome mood and feeling we created that day, and are some of my favorites. I absolutely recommend Jerry to anyone looking for a personalized photo shoot, or really, any photos!.

Kerry K.

What I loved most about working with Jerry is his willingness to experiment. He has this ability to take a mundane place like a porch, a shower, or a game room, and turn it into the setting for some pretty dramatic or playful shots! Nothing was off limits to try. Some of the pictures were so out-of-the-box that I'm sure they would have never been created with any other photographer.

Clare F.