“Life Behind Bars: Volume 1” is a visually arresting and emotionally powerful wildlife photography book created by actor-turned-photographer Julian Starks. More than a collection of animal portraits, it is a global conservation statement—an intimate invitation to witness the beauty, fragility, and dignity of animals living in captivity due to human impact. Every image in the book is a personal encounter: a moment where Julian connects directly with the animal, capturing its fear, power, wisdom, or longing through the “window of the soul”—its eyes. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms.
Julian Starks is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, photographer, and actor best known for his powerful fusion of visual storytelling and wildlife conservation. A graduate of both the Los Angeles Film School and the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography, Julian began his creative journey in New York City’s theater scene before transitioning to film and television in Los Angeles. He has appeared in hit shows like The Bold and the Beautiful and Parenthood and later founded Hollywood Filmmakers Inc., where he produced and directed the acclaimed feature documentary A Journey to Sundance (2021), a raw exploration of the struggles independent filmmakers face.
The book opens with Julian’s honest and heartwarming introduction, where he shares the story of how photographing animals transformed not only his career but his consciousness. From moments spent inches away from a gorilla’s contemplative gaze to the nervous fidgeting of birds perched behind fencing, Julian documents what he calls “life behind bars”—not criminal punishment, but the unintended
consequence of humanity’s decline in protecting wildlife. The book’s first pages establish the emotional power of the project: every creature has a story, a history, and a soul worth fighting for.
As readers progress through the volume, they are greeted by striking full-page portraits of endangered and vulnerable species. Each photograph is paired with the animal’s scientific classification and conservation status, giving context to the urgency of their situation. Lions, tigers, cheetahs, birds of prey, wolves, primates, reptiles, and more appear not as exhibits, but as personalities—thinking, feeling, and waiting for a world that has taken too much from them.
“Life Behind Bars: Volume 1” is compelling because it transcends wildlife photography—it is a heartfelt mission wrapped in breathtaking imagery. Julian Starks offers readers a powerful emotional experience: awe at nature’s beauty, sorrow at its fragility, and inspiration to take action. The book is perfect for animal lovers, conservation advocates, photographers, educators, and anyone who believes in the sacredness of life.
It is not simply a display of animals behind enclosures; it is a confrontation with reality. These creatures may be protected now, but their species’ survival depends on how humanity responds. The book leaves readers with a renewed sense of responsibility and a deeper appreciation for the world’s most vulnerable creatures.
“Life Behind Bars: Volume 1” by Julian Starks is now available for purchase through the links provided below: