Sculptography – Mike Kortoci’s Unique Style of Visual Art
Since his introduction to the New York art scene as a gifted sculptor, Mike Kortoci has continued his ascent to his current position as an acclaimed and reputed photographer and studio owner, having opened his new business, Mike Kortoci Photography, in Glen Rock, NJ. No stranger to the area, Mr. Kortoci has held previous locations in both New York City and Ridgewood, NJ, before settling in his new, spacious studio nearby on South Broad Street in Glen Rock.
In the surrounding areas of Northern New Jersey, artists comparable to Mr. Kortoci’s distinctive style of precise lighting and evocative imagery are hard to come by. His work has gone on to receive praise from publications, such as Page Six of the New York Post, and he has been featured several times on national television, including appearances on the Bravo TV Network. While his list of impressive and famous clientele has included some of the top modeling agencies New York and several famed individuals, Mr. Kortoci frequently works with up and coming models as well as local residents and their families for portraits, more elegant shoots, and, his most recent addition, boudoir photos, should they be requested.
Seated in his expansive studio, which boasts two thousand square feet and overlooks the busy street from the second floor, it becomes hard to picture Mike Kortoci in his humble beginnings, working in a Manhattan residential building thirteen years ago, before a chance meeting with Victor Lownes, the Playboy mogul. Upon learning about Mr. Kortoci’s skill as a sculptor, Lownes commissioned a bronze bust of himself, meant to be displayed in his home. Lownes was so impressed by the sculpture Mr. Kortoci created that he commissioned yet another for his London home, and news began to spread about this latest artist whose work was garnering so much attention. This acclaim also followed his work in photography, which he’d been creating throughout this period of time, and he has since continued to grow his business and enjoy enormous success as a fashion and commercial photographer.
Mounted around the studio lounge, on every wall, patrons can observe Mr. Kortoci’s work, which focuses on black and white beauty images, or they can pour through books full of his photos as they curl up comfortably on black, leather furniture, soft ambient music playing throughout. Here, Mr. Kortoci happily discusses how his study and practice of sculpture has influenced his photographic perspective, particularly in lighting. He says, “In sculpture you have to learn about anatomy and how lighting a sculpture defines its form. Lighting can make or break an image. I can create twenty or more different images just by changing the lighting.”
Some of what he enjoys most, however, comes from creative photoshoots that he regularly undertakes and designs, on his own, for the purposes of trying new things and challenging himself artistically. He has emphasized repeatedly how important it is to continue to develop his own skills and expand upon his previous work rather than rest upon his rather extensive laurels, “You have to be endless…If you’re not constantly pushing and experimenting you cannot call yourself an artist. An artist should constantly be trying new things.”
Mr. Kortoci eagerly opens his doors to the merchants and residents of Bergen County who are looking for beautiful images, whether they wish to celebrate an occasion, a product, or simply want an elegant keepsake that they can cherish. Always welcoming new faces and clients, Mr. Kortoci is happy to discuss what he can create for every person’s specific needs. He says, “By documenting their beauty in a photoshoot, I can change the way people see themselves.” His work can be viewed at his website, https://mikekortociphotography.com and news about his latest projects can be seen on his blog at https://mikekortociphotography.com/blog/.