BEHIND THE LENS

 

I am a lover of animals but ALL dogs hold a special place in my heart! I am a Woman of God, a wife and a mom. I learned a wonderful but hard lesson, in that there is not a dog out there that I would not hesitate taking home with me. I want to do my part in helping dogs that are in need, and my animal passion includes assisting dogs finding forever homes by volunteering my time and photography with NOAH in Stanwood, WA.  I also volunteer with Boys & Girls Club as a volleyball coach.  I feel it is important to be involved with my community and more importantly the youth. I am proud to be apart of the incredibly well regarded 'Muddy Mutt Event' put on by Mary Meyer, of Mary Meyer Life Fitness. The event is to raise awareness of adoptable dogs and raise money for local shelters. In addition,  I will be photographing at the Auburn Petpalooza in May.

 

I am a curious person at heart, I always have a question to ask, a place to explore and a new project to start. Photography provides me the opportunity to visually explore my surroundings and capture flickers in time from my perspective that may otherwise be forgotten. Capturing moments is just one step of the process.  I bring my photos back to life from a still image during editing.  When I think of a photo as a still moment,  Psalm 46:10 is what comes to mind, which says "Be still, and know that I am God..." 

 

Photography came to me, and it came at a time in my life when I needed it most. I have always taken pictures, but not with a meaning or moments that mattered.  The more I study photography, I have now come to admire it in a different way especially because I have learned life is NOT still.  So when I am able to slow life down life even if just for a moment it brings me peace. Photographs bring me floods of memories and there will be a time when that is all you  have left.  When I need to 'be still' and feel connected to certain moments or people from my life, I revisit photos; I laugh, cry, and talk about the memories from the day, it has a way of calming the soul.

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I created 'PIPER & ABBEY' Photography and lovingly named it after my two beautiful Weims. I absolutely can not take enough photos of them. Sharing my love and gifts for both dogs and photography came naturally to me and it became my perfect match.  While my photography has focused on dogs I have room in my heart for many other styles including nature, people and what I like to call, free-lifestyle (authentic unposed) photos. 

 

I promise to bring my passion, creative energy and collaboration to you and your family.  I am honored to be your photographer and the time that we spend together will be cherished.  Be blessed

Julie