Meet Julie Jackson | Photographer and Artist

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

Hi Julie, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Happiness radiates from me when I know my existence is making someone else’s life better or easier. It comes from wanting to know I’m needed. I think that’s why I enjoy photography so much because it allows me to spark emotion in other people. I have the ability to share with people exactly how it felt to be in a specific moment, and then the moment becomes eternal. It makes me happy when I’m editing photos, because I get to relive so many of my favorite moments. It makes me happy when someone chooses a photo I took of them to represent who they are, because that means they see themselves the same way I do. There are a lot of things that make me happy, but making other people happy is what does it the most.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The thing about photography is, it’s not hard to learn how to take good photos. In this day and age, with the technology and resources that are available, learning how to use a camera and edit a photo aren’t rare skills. But what’s unique to each photographer is how they view things; their perspective. What makes mine so unique is my empathy. When I photograph someone, I think I spend more time talking than actually taking photos. Learning about them, connecting with them, creating a feeling. When I’m photographing an event it’s like I’m just hanging out with everyone there but I have my camera in my hand. I’m great with people, and I love conversation. And that’s why my photos stand out, because they’re organic. They show exactly how that person made me feel while we were chatting, or exactly what it felt like to be at that event. It took me years to become confident in my skills as a professional because I would constantly compare my work to others, and try to make my work look like someone else’s. I’ve learned that comparing and trying to duplicate someone else’s style is the exact thing that took the magic out of what I’m doing. My magic is in my perspective. And that’s what I want everyone to see.

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?
My best friend shows up on a Monday. We start out by getting matching tattoos from Alex at Tattoo Good Things, and then we spend the evening ordering in from Aab India restaurant. Tuesday we get a lagree workout in at The Butcher shop and then celebrate our sweatiness with Margaritas and Taco’s at Nada. On Wednesday we wake up early and get coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Upper Cup and then spend the day plant shopping around the city. We start with Yelo Aple right across the street from Upper Cup and then we hit Stump, Oakland Nursery, and take a little road trip to Groovy Plants Ranch. On Thursday we explore german village, making sure we have a couple hours to spend at The Book Loft so we can get to all 32 rooms of books, and then we end the night with a glass of wine and pasta at Marcella’s. On Friday we head over to Franklinton for Franklinton fridays and check out all the local vendors and artists. We stay there all night hopping breweries. Saturday, after a yoga class at GIVE Yoga, we eat lunch at sweet carrot before heading to either a Columbus Crew soccer match, a Columbus Clippers baseball game, or a Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey game, depending on the season, We celebrate the win at Seesaw with all the friends we’ve made throughout the week. Then on Sunday before they head back home, we walk to brunch at Katalina’s and then walk across the street to get manicures at The Lacquer Gallery,

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout DJ Leek. I met him as I was transitioning from college into the real world and he helped pave the way for me to thrive with my career in more ways than one. He introduced me to tons of people, invited me to photograph him at multiple events, and most importantly was (and still is) a consistent source of positive thought and encouragement. He’s the type of person everyone needs in their life.

Instagram: @julieeejackson and @juliejacksonphoto

Twitter: @julieeejackson

Image Credits
For the photo OF me please credit Ryan Ransom, all other photos are taken BY me.