Denise Lugo is serious about fun. Dee, as she is known amongst the musicians and DJ’s who frequent her imaginative landscape, is a photographer and graphic designer. Warm, playful and vividly spontaneous, Dee infuses her work with a deep curiosity of life’s mysterious extremes. Of Puerto Rican descent, Dee was raised in the dichotomous worlds of Manhattan’s Loisaida and Stapleton, Staten Island. Her favorite haunts-nightclubs and other nocturnal venues offer up some of her most treasured subjects. A large collection of still photos commissioned by bands from the Indie, Rock, House and Hip Hop club scenes including Om Records and Cielo club round out her portfolio.
Merging her keen visual sensibility with her love of people, Dee captures the essence of “how people make fun,” which she helps us see is an act of spirit. Make sure to check out her designs we love her “suck my chucks” t shirts.
How did you begin?
I started taking photos of all the parties I went to. While I was in Amsterdam, I took a pic of DJ Sneak and posted it on the Om Records myspace page. They then contacted me to become a Sales Rep for them in NYC. I continued taking shots of DJs and the vibe at clubs like, Cielo and after some time people began to know of me and my photos…this led to my first press kit client, Alix Alvarez. From that point on I just kept learning more and more about photography and it led me to work with some great DJs, producers and fun folks like Jessica “Sugar” Kiper, who was on Survivor: Gabon.
What are your inspirations?
Life and the people I meet. It is what inspires me to shoot. Who they are, where they come from, their stories, heartbreaks, big breaks — all of it. It’s really inspiring when you meet people who come with spirit included in a well rounded nature.
Favorite music?
I love music. It relaxes me. it excites me, it’s an emotional thing for me. I love House, hip hop, the classic soul, techno, blues, salsa, reggae…all the above 
Favorite websites?
I seem to be favoring TWITTER as of late. I like the mini-email feel about it. I love Nerve.com too
Favorite projects you have done so far?
Shooting erotic photos. *wink * wink*
Plans for 2009?
I have my first prints shows coming up featuring my erotic works. Two will be shown at the “Seattle Erotic Arts Festival” from May 1 – 3 and then I am featured at “Babeland” for their May Art Walk taking place on May 14th.
Looking forward to Pride in San Francisco this year
Challenges of what you do?
Budget. I have great ideas, but it will take a larger budget to be at my disposal and these days of frugality, one has to just improvise or wait till a project comes along that allows for it. For now, I just keep a book of my ideas and of gear I want to own one day. But I’m really good at just coming up with things and building them. It is when you lack gear and/or money is when you are most creative because you can’t rely on a “purchase” to pull it off.
Shooting for a music magazine or following / documenting an artist around for a year
