2009 April | Julie Branyan Photography

Monthly Archives: April 2009

Inspiration | Omaha Nebraska Photographer

April 30, 2009 posted in Personal

Everyday I open my inbox to find an inspirational email from the Napoleon Hill foundation. It is the perfect way to start out my day. I’m not a morning person by any means so a positive email and a cup of tea get me going. The email today was brilliant so I thought I would share.

THE INDIVIDUAL WITH A NEGATIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE ATTRACTS TROUBLES AS A MAGNET ATTRACTS STEEL FILINGS.

It is a curious fact of nature that somehow our minds find a way to transform into physical reality the things we think about most. If you expect to fail, you can be sure that you will, and if you find something negative in every opportunity, nothing will ever work out positively for you. Fortunately, the reverse is also true. If you are a happy, positive person, you will attract positive things. You can keep your mindset positive by eliminating negative thoughts the moment they begin to creep into your conscious mind. If you dwell on the negative aspects of every opportunity, you will never accomplish anything worthwhile. Be prudent about the risks you take, but don’t be paralyzed by fear of failure.

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My version of modern art.

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Lens flare!

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Green! I forgot what it looked like. I hope winter never comes back.

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The dark color of the tree and the beautiful light at sunset were a perfect combination.

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I drive by this mail box everyday. I loved how weathered it is, but it still stands.

How to know you are a…bad cook

April 22, 2009 posted in Personal

So the other night while I was trying a new pasta sauce concoction, my husband and I had the following conversation:

Me: Do you want to try the pasta sauce I made? It is awesome. I made it with garlic, olive oil, and crushed tomatoes. yum.

Josh (aka husband): Um… I’ll wait like 20 years, until you perfect it. I don’t need to try it before then.

Me: What? Am I a bad cook?

Josh (aka husband): Yes, but only because you don’t taste flavors.

Flash forward to conversation tonight (while typing this blog)

Josh (aka husband): “How to know you are a bad cook?” That’s you. You are.

Julie: What? I’m not a bad cook. You use to tell me I’m a good cook.

Josh (aka husband): Well, that was when I was still trying to marry you. We’re married now so I don’t have to do that anymore. Marriage is about honesty and openness, and in the spirit of honesty and openness, you are a bad cook.

Julie: (Gives husband the glare and realizes it maybe time for cooking classes)

To make myself feel better, here are some pictures. I can’t cook, but at least I can take a decent picture.

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Spring is Springing | Omaha Nebraska Photographer

April 16, 2009 posted in Personal

The last few weeks have been busy with editing and life in general. This is the first time I’ve been able to sit and put a blog together. So here are some random ramblings of my mind (and pictures too!)

Starting a business is the most challenging thing I have ever taken on. I have these wonderful days filled with excitement and other days where I want to gorge on pizza and ice cream. I’m amazed with the wonderful clients I have and their kind words. I lived without a passion for a long time. I always knew I loved photography, but there were obstacles and excuses preventing me from pursuing it. To be honest I was afraid of failure. I realize there are days where you have to quiet the little voice inside of you. There will always be obstacles, challenges, and failures. It is part of life, even though I do not personally enjoy it, I know the importance of them.

Two weeks ago I heard an amazing speaker named Allison Levine. She has climbed mountains across the world and has fought for women’s rights in Africa. The part of her message that sticks with me is that you have to break down the task in front of you. You don’t let the task overwhelm you, just break it down piece by piece and attack the situation from there. It is a relatively simple message that I seem to forget.

Thanks for reading. Now here are a few pictures from my journey outside. It was a perfect day in Omaha and spring is finally here!