Photography Blog | The Life and Times of Julie Harris Photo Blog | Photography Blogs. Welcome! This is where I show my work and write about what stirs me. Mary Ellen Mark says, "Reality is always extraordinary". I live by this. I'm a documentary photographer with a thirst for love, life and truth... a true bohemian at heart. In an industry saturated with trendy processing techniques and emphasis on style instead of substance, I strive to make honest images that are full of emotion and reality. Please visit and comment often!
Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge music lover. I spend way too much time downloading new tunes and following music blogs. I go to shows weekly and bask in the presence of rock and roll. If I may say so myself, I have a pretty dandy palate for what’s good. So…. I made the best Christmas mix EVER and wanted to share it with those of you who would also start celebrating Christmas in October if you could–with good music, of course. Here’s the catch… I’m only mailing out 10 CDs to the first 10 people to comment here on what they would want in a workshop if I were to teach one. Yes–I’ve got something up my sleeve which will be announced soon, but I’m having a hard time narrowing down my syllabus. I’ll say this—It isn’t going to be a workshop with models or “how to start your photography business” or how to “post-process” your images. It will be heavily critique based, seeped in good old fashioned, purist style image making. And of course, it will be a riot and will include seeing some live music of some sort. So… please leave your feedback on what you would like to learn in a workshop like this, and if you are one of the first 10 to post here or email me, I’ll mail you my new Holiday Mix (It is seriously, seriously good). Good luck and have fun!!
I’m curled up on the couch with a bowl of oatmeal and a strong cup of black coffee meditating on my last day of my working season and reminiscing over the last 7 months. Normally I’m in Paris this time of year–sleeping in until noon, then making my own crepes for “breakfast”, then hitting up a cafe to read, write, ponder, rest. It sounds romantic and refreshing, no? It is incredibly romantic and refreshing and I’m mourning that I’m m not there this season. But I have a little monkey inside of me that is due on January 18th and they won’t let me fly. So, I’ve been working instead—working hard. 7 or 8 shoots a week–30 plus weddings–sometimes back to back on the weekends, post-production, premieres, blogging, meeting with future clients, etc, etc. I’m tired. But even more than tired, I’m simply ready to bring Paris here to to be really present for the first time this entire pregnancy. Something has fundamentally changed in my heart and spirit over the last few months. Being able to feel this little girl inside me kick like a little field goal kicker, hiccup 4 times a day, turn from breech to normal, breech to normal… I’m falling in love. I never thought this would happen to me. I’ve never really wanted to have children and while I love working with them, have never really thought about the real miracle of life. I’m such a student of the human condition—I love people’s personalities–quirks, moods, remarkable traits, etc. And being pregnant has brought me even deeper into the wonder of the human psyche. What will my little girl be like? Will she be wild? Shy? Will she be grumpy in the morning or chirp independently? Will she love to travel like her mama or will she be a philosopher and truth seeker like her Dad? It doesn’t really matter to me as long as she is healthy. And I want to foster whatever spirit she might have–even if it looks nothing like mine. My one true wish for her is to be wild and free like children should be. I want to give her a safe, loving environment where she can dress however she likes and color on the walls….
So I’m officially taking maternity leave this weekend. No more shoots until I feel ready–which will most likely be months after this monkey arrives. This is my sabbatical–though it’s not in Paris, but on my living room couch. I want to be present during this amazing time in my life. I want to gear up to be a good mama and also an amazing artist. I want to laugh at the changes that are happening with my body and embrace my new outlook on life artistically. I want to blog because I want to blog again. I have about 30 weddings from this past summer that haven’t been blogged. I want to have the time to really reflect on those weddings and post them with my heart and because I want to–not because I should. Alex and Matt, Megan and Dylan, Lee Lee and Michael—you guys are first on my list. I’ve truly had the most incredible last 7 mind-blowing months. I’m going to revel in this time and stay in touch right here on my blog. Please stay tuned. My adventures, I believe are just beginning….
Photo above by Paige Elizabeth
My blog has been compromised. Hacked. Deleted. DELETED!!! Who does this? It’s cyberspace vandalism. I’m among 30 plus other flosites blogs who have been hacked. If you have a flosites blog, or if you password protect your blog. PICK A STRONG PASSWORD. I have been spending the last 48 hours frantically trying to restore and collect any data that I can in order to somehow piece together 5 years of my heart and soul. My portfolio and journal are gone. Please be patient with me for future posts and keep your fingers crossed. I may be starting from square one…
I would love a shoot and critique type workshop!
(12.05.2011)How to shoot manual and find the perfect exposure in not so perfect light.
(12.05.2011)Julie, What a great idea. I would like to see a parallel comparison of how people occupy a real space in relationship to composition and photography. Think of capturing a feeling of when you walk into a vast atrium or into a crammed closet. Or how a composition of a photograph could capture different feelings. I am interested in seeing that concept in your workshop. Nilou
(12.05.2011)Getting the best out of natural light when working alone? (Understanding lighting)
(12.05.2011)How to capture feeling with composition. Thinking spacial relationships versus 2D image.
(12.05.2011)how to make people feel like themselves in front of the camera.
(12.05.2011)Hi Julie, What a great giveaway. So happy I looked on facebook at just the right time :) I would love to attend a workshop of yours that tells what NOT to do. Maybe that's a stupid idea, but I have a lot of respect for your ideas and would be interested in hearing about the ideas that you think are awful. Hope you are enjoying pregnancy!
(12.05.2011)LOVE it, Emily!!! I'll email you a copy of the mix today via "you send it". How are you?
(12.05.2011)Hi Julie, What a great idea! I would love to hear about how to be creative in an overly saturated photographer era :). Hope you're enjoying pregnancy!
(12.05.2011)Julie, I would love to learn how to get the best shot out tough situations (light, space, etc.) and difficult subjects—without 50 hrs of photoshop!
(12.05.2011)I live for Christmas music and I cherish every note this time of year. So fun! Having an opportunity to learn from you would be a dream. Seriously, Caroline said it perfectly. How to really use manual mode on my camera when the lighting is not ideal!
(12.05.2011)WHAT?? Yes please!!! A workshop on the integrity of art and some brutally honest critique (and music??)...love love love. I want.
(12.05.2011)Hey Julie, Sorry I didn't see my first comment, so I commented again :) And then I felt like an idiot. I'm doing great. So excited to get your mix and I'd love to hear about you sometime! Thanks Julie!!
(12.05.2011)How to work with lighting when you have little control over it. I'm thinking indoors, like school gyms with horrible fluorescent lighting.
(12.05.2011)Lighting! I love the natural look you create in indoor settings.
(12.05.2011)How about working in weird lighting over which you have little control? I'm thinking the horrible fluorescent lighting in school gyms as one example.
(12.05.2011)I would LOVE a photo workshop just for the average person. How to take a great simple shot, edit and frickin print the image! Kids seem so hard to photograph so maybe some tips for that too.
(12.05.2011)How to photograph babies well I wish I would have been one of the first 10 :( very sad face
(12.05.2011)On the off chance you are sending more... I'll comment. I would LOVE to go to one of your workshops. I think what I struggle with is dealing with clients who can't handle the "be natural" act in front of the camera and want to be posed. I need that balance between having control and letting them just be themselves. Easier said than done.
(12.05.2011)PS Did I mention I moved from Kansas to Fort Collins a couple weeks ago so being able to attend a workshop sometime will actually be doable now! :)
(12.05.2011)I'm bummed even if I HAD a workshop idea I wouldn't make it. Any chance you could do the workshop in Australia? Wouldn't those first 10 love that??? You'd be like Oprah! I'd be happy to host you ;) Anyway, cool idea. Take care Lady!
(12.05.2011)Gah! You know I want that mix. Damn it. Oh well... I think people are happiest when they feel like you're an open book. Don't be afraid to talk about what you do when you get burned out, or mistakes you've made. You're a spiritual person and you seem to find a kind of transcendence when you shoot, so avoid skimming the surface on a lot of topics, and really delve into the most important ones for you. K so I'm still thinking about the mix. I'll pay you for it. Haha. Just kidding...I'll follow the rules. I hope you're doing wonderfully and enjoying the season!
(12.05.2011)Fabulous idea:) Shooting in Natural light and maybe some of your fabulous lightroom tips:)
(12.05.2011)Aww I would love a Holiday Mix! but i am too slow checking in and catching this! Happy Holidays to you and all your loved ones!
(12.05.2011)Sounds awesome! I always love new music.
(12.05.2011)I haven't read through the other comments yet, but personally I'd like to be able to spot good scenes for natural backlighting better.
(12.05.2011)Hi Julie!! Would love to learn more about lighting......and what is on your fabulous holiday mix. ;)
(12.05.2011)Ugh! It would figure that I'm not even CLOSE to being one of the first 10 peeps to receive this awesome Holiday Mix you speak of! However, I would love to just be in your presence for a workshop. Period. You could read the telephone book, and I'm sure I'd learn something! Did I mention I totally miss the ol' college days when critiquing was part of class? I want to shoot, drink, and be merry!!!! lol
(12.05.2011)I live in Michigan and could not possibly attend a workshop but sure wish I could. What I would I admire about your photography and would like to learn is how to find the light, how to use flash when absolutely necessary and make it look like you didn't. I love the editorial quality of your work and how you find that natural, intimate moment that makes it look like the photographer wasn't even there.
(12.05.2011)I'm so sad I missed this!
(12.05.2011)Light. All about the light.
(12.05.2011)oh well, missed the mix, that said, light room tricks, I found your post on photo.net quite helpful, getting the right amount of grunge, grain, and B+W technique.
(12.06.2011)I have been *stalking* your blog for some time now and find such inspiration in your photos! You truly are in a league all your own (that's a GOOD thing). With that being said, I would want to learn a couple of tricks for "snapping" at that perfect moment, something you seem to have mastered. Or, if your style is shutter happy, how many are you editing and delivering? And of course, indoor lighting tips!
(12.07.2011)oh wow. a workshop (funny. I almost wrote "worship!"). I hate living far away. Technique is so important, but I feel like I can gain that in lots of places. Meghan said it perfectly for me. "How to make people feel like themselves in front of the camera."
(12.08.2011)I want that holiday mix!!!
(12.08.2011)I would love to hear about any workshops you do. I'm mostly interested in learning how to make such wonderful pictures of people; getting them relaxed and comfortable, willing to give themselves to your camera.
(01.20.2012)