Meet Julie Campbell | Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Campbell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never thought I would start my own business. I was a stay at home mom with three children, and they were my primary focus. While I was watching them grow and change I became obsessed with documenting their childhood. I was desperate to learn how to get high quality photographs of them. I didn’t want snapshots, I wanted works of art. This started my obsession with photography. I became frustrated with my point and shoot camera, so I saved and bought a used DSLR camera and a couple of lenses I could use to get to the next level. I bought books, took classes at Moorpark College and online, and practiced daily. I admit I drove my children crazy with photo shoots, but I couldn’t help it. My drive for beautiful images of my children kept me up late at night editing, or learning new techniques.

One day my husband suggested that I might be ready to photograph other people, and charge them for the service. I thought it was ridiculous to think that anyone would pay me to photograph them. He persisted, and set up some practice photo shoots for me. I photographed his coworker’s families free of charge for a few months. I’ve never been as nervous as I was those first few photo shoots, but I loved it. It was so much fun to be able to be creative with my camera. After a few months I started charging people, and Julie Campbell Photography was born. It has been 16 years, and I still love what I do. I’ve watched children grow from newborns to teenagers. I’ve photographed families every year, and have gotten to know them well. It brings me so much joy to document my clients’ milestones year after year.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a portrait photographer. It is important to me that my clients come away from their sessions with beautifully lit, high quality, images ready to display on their walls. As a mother of four I know how important it was for me to have photographs of my family at every stage of their childhood. These photographs become priceless as the years pass, and I want that for my clients. I don’t follow trends or fads, but instead focus on classically beautiful poses, as well as setting up candid moments to show the love between family members during sessions.

Nothing makes me happier than when clients tell me they see their children’s unique personalities in their family photos. I want them to see who they are at this moment, especially the things they love about their family. The process needs to be enjoyable from the moment they come to my website, all the way through hanging the images on their walls. Portraits should be displayed, not hidden away on the computer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a question that’s totally out of my comfort zone. I don’t know the best spots to each and drink because I don’t eat out much. I would definitely spend a day at the beach lounging. I like to take people up north for a day in Santa Barbara exploring the cute little shops and the beach. I like to go on hikes in the hills close by, like Hill Canyon in Santa Rosa Valley, or the Pentachaeta Trails. Some places people love to go to in Moorpark where I live are M on High Street and Magma Pizzeria.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest supporter by far is my husband Tim. He encouraged me to start this business, even when I didn’t think I could do it. He saw something in me that I didn’t. He helped me set everything up as far as business licenses, and other things I didn’t know I needed to do. He still helps me now, coming to photo shoots often to help me when I need it. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be a Julie Campbell Photography.

Website: https://juliecampbellphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliegcampbell/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecampbellphotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieCampbellPhotography

Image Credits
All images are Julie Campbell Photography