Julie Branyan Photography

4 comments

rachel draper - We’re really excited for you guys! What a great journey you’re starting and we will also being praying for the financial piece to come together so you are able to pursue photography and live from what that makes for you two! SO thankful you are finally able to this full-time!
much love from us

Laura - Oh WOW!!! Congrats!!! You’ll do great and I’m happy for you!!! Family is amazing, I know I’m crazy thankful to have such a wonderful bunch myself!!! Photography is definitely your calling!! I totally admire you my dear!! And, I’m wide open in August, so come down anytime, I’d love to see ya!!

Jaime D - I will miss you too….even if we didnt get together more than that one time! But You have to do whats right for you guys and I wish you the best of luck!!!

amber L - we’ll miss you but so excited for you guys to do be doing something new! tell me when your in omaha, and we’ll get together!

Allie and Jesse

August 25, 2010 posted in Engagement

Allie is a good friend I met while working in Hartford, CT. When I first met her she told me about this guy she was crazy about named Jesse. The truth is these two have not had an easy relationship. They’ve spent the majority of it commuting from Nebraska to North Carolina then Connecticut to North Carolina, and then Nebraska to North Carolina again. When I would hang out with Allie she would talk about Jesse and how she wanted to be with him. Allie was patiently waiting for the day when they could finally be together. When they could laugh for hours and not have to worry about his return flight home. One July morning Allie heard a knock, when she opened the door she saw Jesse (of course she was in shock because he was not supposed to be there this weekend). Jesse said to her lovingly, “I woke up at 3am this morning to fly all this way to ask you a question.” He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes and now they are getting married September 12th. I will not be photographing the wedding (tear tear), but when Allie asked me to photograph their engagement I said YES! We spent an amazing evening running all around her uncle’s farm. They are the goofiest and funniest couple you will meet. I’m so excited for them to start their life together. It’s been a long journey, but the distance only brought them closer together.

Ah..love…

Jesse as Caesar!

Allie had a little help reaching Jesse’s height.

Love in the cornfields.

Favorite!

Goofiness!

Favorite. Adorable!

Ok, maybe this one is my favorite. So sweet.

This was the only barn on the farm! Ha!

4 comments

Erin - Jesse is my brither in law and we cant wait to have Allie as a sister in law! they are a great couple and these pictures of them are AMAZING!! Great job!! Would love to have you take some of our family!! To bad we live in NY!

Debbi Tally - Really, really nice pictures. Beautiful couple!!!! Jesse is my nephew and Allie, my soon to be niece-in-law!!!! I’m proud of the both of them. Congratulations to Jesse and Allie.

rachel draper - i am a sucker for a weeping willow lovely!

josh solar - nice work! the ones in the corn are super cool.

A letter to Myself

August 17, 2010 posted in Uncategorized

Dear Me,

I want to remember what I’m feeling today in hope that if I write it down then I can let go. This is not a post for sympathy, encouragement or even kind words. It’s to prove these feelings are normal; everyone has them, some more than others. I’m a self doubter, I’ve always been. No matter what I accomplish, it’s never enough to make me think I’m where I want to be.

Lately I’ve felt detached from my camera. The last couple of weeks I’ve tried, but been unable to connect. Part is due to exhaustion and part is due to not feeling good enough. Looking at the photographs of Josh and I taken a couple weeks ago threw me into a depression. I pouted, a lot. The photos are brilliant, but they brought up a lot of issues with myself as a photographer. The first thought I had after seeing them was, I’m not good enough to even consider doing this. I wanted to give up, to run and hide under the covers to cry. I’ve been fighting these voices over the last couple weeks. I’m standing once again on a cliff deciding what I should to. Do I jump? Do I turn the other direction? Do I stop and ponder what is below?

I am jumping, but I’m taking baby steps to get to the actual jump. This week will force me to take one of many leaps ahead. This is the last week of the day job. Then it will be the last week of living in Nebraska, followed by the first week of living in Arizona.

People have been so supportive of the decision we’ve made. I feel like there are a lot of people cheering me on. I’m blessed by the thought that even one person would tell me, “you go girl.” Last week I had a whole dozen. What everything boils down to is that I don’t believe in myself. I have talent inside, but I’m afraid to let go. That fear is challenging who I am as a photographer, wife, and as Julie Branyan.

So, self, it’s time to let go. To give into the fear. To keep fighting. Remember these feelings of doubt, fear, and not feeling good enough are normal. You are moving in the direction you need to go. Always remember who you are as a person because you will give up the moment you lose sight of that.

Today I’m here, hanging onto the side of the cliff knowing my moment to jump is almost here. When that moment happens I have to remember I’m not alone and there is someone by my side who is jumping with me.

All the best to the journey ahead,

Julie

6 comments

Amy Price - I have the same fight within me often. I rarely feel good enough to be doing what I do and sometimes feel like I will be exposed as a “fake”. You will be missed in the local photography community and I wish you the best on your move and full future ahead.

Michael - Julie! Brilliant letter. It’s so tough start new chapters in life. I think that a lot of us wish that we could handle change with the same grace that you do. All the best to you. Definitely stay in touch!

Leah Bockelman - Julie ~ you are amazing ~ don’t ever doubt that! I just mentioned you on my blog the other day…saying how much of an inspiration you’ve been to me. You are feeling this way right now because a chapter of your life is soon closing, and the unknown is always a little scary. I have been there many times, but it’s when I let go that things really start to flourish. Have faith and know that whatever your heart is set on, you can accomplish! I’ll send some prayers your way that you are guided down a path of happiness and success always.

** Let’s do lunch soon!

Lara - Julie! You know I think you’re amazing…I wouldn’t trust anyone else to shoot with me. I am so excited for you to be near to family…I think it will be so good for you! I will miss you AND your photography – not to mention having a really great second and referral! You’re an amazing photography – I hope deep inside you know that! – and you’re an amazing person on top of that. HUGS and XOXO!

josh solar - Julie,

First off, I think it’s great that you’re so open and honest and putting yourself out there. Writing this post is the first step to holding yourself accountable for staring down your fears and kicking them to the curb.

Secondly, you ARE good enough. You are a wonderful person. You have a wonderful personality which brings about those connections with your clients. I will tell you, having gone through the EXACT same feelings of self-doubt (who am I kidding, I still have them), that when you rely solely on your photography, you will find ways to inspire yourself, you will push yourself harder than you would ever imagine. You do it because you LOVE it. And, yes, it’s quite scary not having a steady income, you don’t know when you’ll book your next wedding or portrait session, but, that helps fuel that fire burning inside of you as well. Trust me when I say this. You can do it. I know it. I can see it in you, your work.

And, believe me, you don’t want to start comparing yourself to other photographers. We’re all individuals, with an individual eye, with individual opinions, thoughts, personalities, which thrown together make up what WE shoot for.

Keep your head up. You’re on the right track

jerrie haskin - Julie, I just want you to know…I look at YOUR work and think the same about myself. ;o) One thing I learned at WPPI and meeting thousands of wonderful photographers, is you cant compare!! If you do…you’ll make yourself go crazy!! You are a great person and photographer!! I love to read your posts and see your work! ) good luck with your move!

Murray Monday | Phoenix Wedding Photographer

August 9, 2010 posted in Personal

My favorite moments of the summer have been on my walks with Murray and Josh. For a whole 30 minutes the world slows down and the voices in my head stop. There is no one reminding me of all the things on my to do list or of everything that is ahead. During these walks I listen to the crickets chirp, watch the fireflies spin around us, storms roll in and just realize how quickly life goes by. I love how Murray looks forward to our walks as much as I do. He spends the entire time sniffing the ground and sometimes bringing his head up to let his ears blow in the wind. Life is so simple to him. It revolves around sleeping, eating and long walks. It reminds me that things are not always as complicated as we make them. Life has so many wonderful moments and I think we forget to embrace them. I’m trying my best to slow down these days and take it all in. Luckily I have Murray around to remind me how great the little things are.

I’m also blogging on image from my last wedding. This is one of my favorite weddings of the summer. It’s my favorite not because of the details, location, or weather. It is beautiful because of the love that is shared between this couple. They completely opened up in front of the camera to show me a moment into how perfect life is together. I can’t wait to share the rest soon.

1 comment

Tweets that mention Murray Monday | Phoenix Wedding Photographer | Julie Branyan Photography — Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SnapKnot, Julie Branyan. Julie Branyan said: Murray Monday, a reminder to slow down and enjoy the little moments in life. Also, one image from a wedding. http://juliebranyan.com/?p=2772 [...]

James and LeDawna Second Shooting | Phoenix Wedding Photographer

August 4, 2010 posted in Weddings

One Saturday I returned home from an early morning portrait session to get a text from my friend Andy (CueMotion, Videographer, he rocks!). He told me the photographer for the wedding he was at didn’t have a second shooter. At first I thought, nah, this is my Saturday off from weddings, but then I realized how much fun it would be to be shooting a wedding. I texted him back and asked who the photographer was. He said it was the fabulous Lara Hanlon. How could I say no to meeting someone so awesome? I quickly charged my equipment and ran to the wedding. Lara was super nice and we started to bond over talking dorky photographer speak. Anyway, the wedding was fabulous. I wanted to post a few of my images before its months later and I don’t have time. My shots are mainly from the side and little detail shots. Second shooting is always interesting and fun. I feel like I done a lot of it this summer (maybe a little too much! My husband would agree). I plan to post some advice on second shooting, just some tips and tricks. Hopefully it helps a few people. One more thing, To see the whole day by Lara (awesome images, ones that are straight on too!) check out her post.

I’ll be posting a lovely wedding that I shot soon. Life has been busy, like expected before you are trying to move across the country. Hopefully I’ll have some relaxing weekends ahead spent cramming items into boxes (not that I do that or pack my clothes in trash bags). Please don’t judge.

LaDawna was just glowing.

Her flowers were absolutely amazing. Her wedding had so many elegant touches.

The sun came out for a little bit while we were shooting. It was lovely.

I love this image.

One of my favorites. They are so sweet kissing in front of that beautiful greenery.

2 comments

Lara - LOVE IT!! So great – I loved working with you so much!

Tweets that mention James and LeDawna Second Shooting | Phoenix Wedding Photographer | Julie Branyan Photography — Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SnapKnot, Julie Branyan. Julie Branyan said: A little second shooting on the blog. http://juliebranyan.com/?p=2680 [...]

My Everest | Phoenix Wedding Photographer

August 2, 2010 posted in Personal

I love the show Scrubs. I have watched reruns over and over (thank goodness we own it on dvd!). I find myself comparing moments of my life to situations that happen on the show. I’m a dork. I’ll come out and say it. There has been a lot of stress in our life lately. It feels like after this month I will be climbing Everest. I’ve been in a constant state of excitement, followed by dread, then nausea and finally back to excitement. Josh and I have looked at our decision from every angle possible. As the days wind down, the more the feelings begin to mesh into craziness. I have three weeks of the day job left, 4 weeks left in Omaha, and 5 weeks till I arrive at my new home. The days are moving faster than normal and I keep trying to hang on for a minute longer.

Under stress I always go back to a scrubs episode called my porcelain god. It is about the Janitor installing a roof toilet. The thing is, this toilet is an epiphany toilet. I like to tell Josh we need one, just to look into the future and know everything is moving in the right direction. I feel in my heart it is, but a little confirmation would be nice. My favorite line is towards the end of the episode Dr. Casey (Michael J Fox) tells Elliot, “When your mind keeps throwing up road blocks, know you can drive right through them.” I’m working everyday towards the obstacles that are and will be in front of me. While a roof toilet is not my Everest like Dr. Casey (Micheal J Fox) is in the show, following my dream is. I am taking a risk, one that will be hard, one that will change my life, but the best thing is hat I know I won’t have regrets. We are only given a short while, but if we keep moving in the direction of what makes us happy (whether it is a new job, following an old dream, doing what is best for your children) then life will be even more wonderful.

Below is a clip from the scrubs episode I mentioned. It is pretty funny. It you have time I suggest watching the whole episode or even the whole show.

2 comments