about
HI! I'M JULIE
Thank you so much for being here! My name is Julie - I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, but the role that has shaped me the most is being a mom. Raising our boys has given me a deeper appreciation for what's most important in life.
These days, my greatest adventure is right here at home—on the sidelines of their games, shuttling them to practices and soaking in the moments that are flying by way too fast.
I met my husband, Chad, the summer after my junior year at Illinois State. He’s hands down the funniest person I've ever met and still to this day makes me laugh everyday. He's my best friend and together, we’ve built a life filled with love, laughter, and three incredible boys. Family is by far my greatest blessing and one I don't take for granted.
Recently, I experienced a heartbreaking loss—my older brother passed away suddenly at just 47. As we searched for photos to celebrate his life, I realized how few we had of just him. We ended up using his senior portrait and a candid shot I took of him on the beach in 2007, during a family vacation. This reinforced just how important my job truly is. The images I capture aren’t just pictures—they’re memories, legacies, and reminders of the love we share with others.
Photography has been my passion and profession for 23 years. I started my career in the Chicago suburbs, photographing thousands of children yearly in preschools and daycares. In 2011, after moving back to Forsyth to raise our family, I transitioned to family, high school seniors and headshot photography, and in 2022, I added sports to my portfolio. My business has evolved over the years, but my heart remains the same—to capture genuine, beautiful moments that families will treasure for a lifetime.
When I’m not behind the camera or doing mom things, you’ll find me enjoying long walks with a friend and having a glass of wine to celebrate life's little wins. I am a morning person and love starting my day with a devotion. I often find myself dreaming about our next vacation or date night out. I love exercising and yoga (but don't always make time for it) and if we won the lottery I'd love to travel the world. If I had to describe myself in three ways I would say I’m a peacemaker, a people pleaser, and someone who always tries to see the good in others. I love to laugh and have fun and try not to take life too seriously!
That's enough about me! I want to get to know you now!! :)
LET'S CHAT
GET TO KNOW ME!
CAPTURING GENUINE SMILES, CONNECTIONS AND
MEANINGFUL PICTURES AT ALL STAGES
BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR LEGACY.
This is one of my all time favorite pictures.
I love the way their eyes light up. I love their smiles, tiny teeth, little bellies and messy faces but the thing I love the most is the way their arms are wrapped around each other - perfectly capturing what being a brother is all about. It’s as if the photo itself is telling a story of love, connection, and the promise that they will always be there for each other. This picture makes me happy and brings me to tears all at the same time.
What can I create for you that makes you feel this way?
CONTACT JULIE
My goal as a photographer has always been to provide a fun and easy experience for each client or family I photograph. Although, my job is "taking pictures" I've always felt that connecting with people and making them feel comfortable is what I'm good at. I love, love, love working with seniors. It's such an exciting time and I enjoy getting to know them and helping celebrate this huge milestone. Showing them how beautiful and handsome they are is a bonus!!
The pictures on my own walls are more than just images—they're reminders of what has shaped my family. A single glance at a baby photo takes me right back to the way my boys’ tiny hands felt in mine. A framed print from their toddler years reminds me of the laughter, the chaos, and the love that filled our home. These photos bring me so much joy, and I want my clients to experience that same feeling every time they walk past their own walls.
That’s why I believe in more than just delivering digital files. I want to create lasting artwork that tells your family’s story. Beautiful prints and albums that don’t just sit on a hard drive but are proudly displayed, cherished for a lifetime, and eventually passed down to future generations. One day, these photos will be more than just pictures—they’ll be a legacy.
