juliebranyan | Julie Branyan Photography

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Connect with your Purpose and You will have no fear

September 4, 2010 posted in Personal

I’m sitting in a room filled with boxes. They have taken over our already small apartment. Last week was exciting and exhausting. It was my first week as Julie Branyan Photography. I glowed all week and my friends saw a normal rested Julie. Packing has taken its toll on us this week. Box after box needs to be filled with the junk we’ve collected over the last two years. While I was packing (another) box, I ran across a notebook. I carry around notebooks to write my ideas, to do lists, and general thoughts. I flipped though the pages of this notebook and found the words, “Connect with your purpose and you will have no fear.” It’s a simple phrase and I remember writing it for the first time in regards to photography. I started to think about my purpose as a photographer and why I want to be a photographer. It has not been an easy road, but it’s one that makes me happy. This week has shown me to be strong and have no fear. Yes, it wouldn’t be like me if I didn’t stress a little. I know where I’m headed, I know my purpose and I’m leaving fear at the door. So as you start your day, What is your purpose? What are you going to do to get yourself closer to it?

Also, below are some photos of my friend Jen and her adorable kids. She was my cube mate at my old job for a year and a half. We laughed a lot and went through life’s changes together. She has been an amazing supporter of my photography and has been a great friend as well.

Teddy is such a cutie!

I love this photo. Frannie is so beautiful.

Jen and Teddy. So much love.

Ellie is an explorer.

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!

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

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.

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.