Celebrating Mom!

A couple of weeks ago I put out the call for you to nominate a mother you felt is deserving of a complimentary portrait session. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to email me. I have really enjoyed reading your heartfelt words about the moms you know and love.

It was difficult to choose from the entries, so I decided to put the names in a basket and choose at random. Elizabeth's name was chosen. Below is a portion of her letter:

"Erin and I have been friends since middle school. In all the time I've known her, I can't point to one moment that she's been selfish. She is the best friend, daughter, sister, wife, and most importantly, mother anyone could ask for. She's the oldest of four and despite only being a few years older than her siblings, she's been their second mother - been there for each of them throughout their lives, and continues to today. She treats everyone she meets like family and would do anything for the people in her life.

She and her husband have two adorable kids, and while they've recently hit a groove, things haven't always been easy. Erin was laid off from her job of 18 years a few years ago when she was nine months pregnant with her youngest. Like anything she approaches, Erin kept her head down and they managed to get through. Few knew how tough it really was for them because Erin always put others first and with a smile on her face. That's who she is.

In December, Erin's mother in law unexpectedly passed away. Despite it being very hard on her, she pushed her mourning aside to take care of her husband, his family and the kids. She truly is the glue that keeps her and so many families together."

Thank you again for sending in your letters. I will be keeping them on file for future reference. Hopefully I will have the honor of photographing these deserving mothers someday in the future.

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8 Years

Last year at this time I was celebrating my 7 year anniversary of being in business.  I asked my clients to choose their favorite image from a sessions with me, and tell me why. I was blown away by the response I got. The letters were touching and powerful (see them here). It once again reaffirmed my belief that our loved ones, the people we share our lives with, are what is most important to us. We want to have their photographs on our walls. We want to see those relationships frozen in time to have forever. We never know how long we'll have with them, or how much they will change in the next year or the next decade. Photographs are the only way to hold on to those moments outside of our memories.

The images below are from the session that I did with the family that was chosen last year. I had a great time with them at the beach, on the windiest day of the year. As you can see, they know how to have fun together.

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• Beach
• Charity Work
• Children
• Commercial Work
• Couples
• Family
• Headshots
• High School Senior
• Maternity
• Military Homecoming
• Newborns
• Studio News
• Teens

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7 Year Anniversary

To celebrate my 7 year anniversary in business I announced a contest where the winner would receive a complimentary photo session, plus the digital file package. It has been such a gift to receive emails with such sweet stories from my past clients. I have been touched deeply to hear your struggles, and know that the work I do enriches your lives even a little bit. Here are the images and stories. I hope you enjoy reading them! I'll be announcing the winner on 1/26/15. Stay tuned!

There are a million reasons why it is my favorite so I'll try to keep it to just a few for you.

1. This was literally the first time all of us (my mom, sisters, their spouses/fiance, and children had all been together and not just because the baby was young; even prior to her being born it had been years since we'd all been in the same place at one time). It represents 2 countries, 3 states within the US, thousands of miles, and probably way too many hours/phone calls from my mom to you in order to coordinate it. We don't get to see each other often and certainly not all at once so it's a joy to have a photo capturing that day.

2. I love this photo because it's not "perfect". At this point the kids were done with the matching clothes but what they are wearing in this photo is truly "them".

3. My favorite part is the space between my sister in the blue dress and my mom/daughter. Why? Because it's exactly where my dad would have been if he had lived to meet his grandkids and join us for this photo. The space wasn't intentional, truthfully I looked at this picture 1000 times (it's in a place where I see it multiple times per day) before I noticed the space, but it is the perfect spot for him. Maybe he's there and we just can't see him.

This is the from our very first session with you, my daughter S. was about 3 years old. She was sick that day, as soon as we were done with the session she crashed in the car and had a fever. It's a picture that is hanging in her room and reminds me of her first deployment, she was unaware of what was going, she had no idea her daddy was leaving the following month. But, as I see this picture it's almost as if she DID have a clue of what was going on, she's holding on to him, not wanting to let go.  Little did we know we were about to take on two deployments back to back 9 months each. My husband looking back at her as is he's telling he "everything is going be just fine".

I think you know which picture I love the most. You took pictures of my family on my grandmother's 100th birthday. That you managed to capture this moment is a miracle and a priceless gift to me and my family. We called her "Myan," and I have given this picture the title "Myan's Hug."

She left this earth on March 16, 2014. She was 102! I miss her so much, but when I see this picture, I am filled with so much gratitude. I'm grateful that her last days were filled with much love. My husband, my children, my sister, my nephew, my cousins, and I wrapped our arms around her little frame and gave her a giant hug because we love her sooooo much! When I see this picture, I have no doubt that she knows that.

My most favorite of all is (selfishly) the one of the kids with me where we were all laughing, and they are around me - it wasn’t my most favorite picture of myself, but mostly because it reminds me of the bond I have with them, and the moments of fun and laughter we have, which make the long work hours or hard days all worth it. It is a naturally happy moment that I don’t think I would be able to revisit so easily if I had not been able to see the moment captured by you - the image made the memory stronger.

We had out photo session with you in celebration of my parents 50th anniversary. This is my favorite picture from the session. It is not often these days that you hear of married couples staying together 50+ years and I think this picture speaks those thousand words as to why my parents are still together. Through good and bad, their love, commitment, their partnership never wavered. They are my anchor and I hope my husband and I have the same light in our eyes when we celebrate our 50th.

As you may remember, my husband and I gave my in-laws the family photo shoot for Christmas last year. The Hansens have never had a professional family photo taken (absent the obligatory family shot at our wedding), if you can believe that! Even with four adorable grandkids – grandma and grandpa are too busy playing/doing for the kiddos, where’s the time?! It truly was a miracle that we made this happen! When we first saw this picture in your post, we all got so mushy over it – instant tears! It’s so true that we need reminding how big the world is and, despite that, we will always have each other. Family is an amazingly comforting thing. As long as you have them, it doesn’t matter how many clouds roll in. This image will always remind me of that so, thank you!

This picture represents prayers answered and a dream come true for my husband and I. It is our favorite because it is our family. After struggling to conceive for 5 years we were able to conceive our twins through in vitro. We continued to face obstacles as the twins were born very premature. The idea of being able to conceive naturally was never a thought of ours after everything we had been through until we were blessed with the surprise pregnancy of our now 8 month old baby girl. Because of complications during my pregnancy with the twins we were unable to have professional maternity pictures. With the second pregnancy going smoothly we couldn't wait for the opportunity to have maternity pictures taken not only of myself but of my family. Julie you captured what we once thought was unachievable......A family. This picture represents the pure essence of that and is a memory of a beautiful day we will have for the rest of our lives!

This is my favorite photo of the photo shoot you did of Crew. A few months before Crew was born things drastically changed in my marriage. Things went from so happy to so shattered so quick. I was so pregnant and so devastated and scared. I had to make some big choices that would affect my children and my life for years to come.

But through it all Heavenly Father and his angels have lifted me and my kiddos up. We have been on the wings of angels. Crew has also been an angel that has helped me through this trial.

This picture of sweet Crew to me represents innocence, tender mercies, beauty, heaven and a boy who will always be my baby. Julie thank you for such a sweet thoughtful gift.

This is my favorite picture. It's so clear that K. already loves her sister unconditionally and really captures the big sister - little sister relationship so well.

I love these photos because when I see them I see my baby, frozen in time, and the memories that are attached to these times come flooding back. Garrett is my final baby; he is the last baby of mine that I will push on a swing and hear his squeals and cackles of delight. His curls are the last that I will twirl with my finger and pull and let bounce back. His joy is so full and so innocent. Without these photographs, the completeness of that would inevitably dim in my memory. Thank you for capturing these things for all time.

This is one of my favorite photos that you have taken. Although it does not show their cute little faces this picture symbolizes a true bond. This picture represents the beginning of a friendship that will last a lifetime. They will guide each other through the journey of life! Thanks for taking such an extraordinary photo!

This is my favorite photo because I'm with my favorite person at my favorite place. Jerry and I have been married 35 years and we recently took an anniversary trip to Huntington Beach from our home in Colorado Springs. After raising 5 children and gaining 9 grandchildren, we are enjoying life as empty nesters and this photo captures the essence of our peaceful and happy relationship! Thank you!

My heart melts every time I see this one. So many times we take pictures (whether we’re the subject or the photographer) and the ones we like best are the ones in which we look the best but, it’s only a version of us. This image, regardless of the perfect lighting and composition, is SO Colton. As a photo junky, I have a TON of him – and he’s only been around for 15 months – but this is one of VERY few from his first year that really show the true pieces of him (hope, trust, curiosity, thoughtfulness, sweetness, pride, love, innocence), and I’m so grateful to you for capturing it!!

As hard as it was to possibly choose a favorite image with so many amazing photos, this one takes the cake.
I love how angelic my precious babies look, as well as how you were able to use natural light to make them "glow".
I love the details in their hands and I love how you captured the differences of my twin girl's little features. Love love love.

Of course it was hard to choose just one favorite image. I chose this one, because I really love the interaction it shows between us as a family. Although it's nice to have family pictures where everyone is looking, I love that this one captures the relationships between siblings, and also between parent and child.

Julie,
When we went to see you that day it was hot and dusty. I had no idea how you would capture anything with L. running around. I thought maybe an eye, an ear or a blurry image of him racing past you.

What we were shown that day we picked our pictures were images of our boy so perfectly captured, they brought tears to my eyes. This picture means so much to me. It is my sweet boy and his innocence and his ridiculously long and beautiful lashes. You caught his eyes...yes, but you also captured our sweet boy in a still moment. I can't thank you enough for the photos you were able to take of him. This photo will forever be my absolute favorite of my little man.

So whether I win the contest or not, thank you so much for this moment frozen in time.

This is my favorite photo for so many reasons. I love the Expression on Ethan's face. I love how this picture Captures the fact that we love to play and have fun as Family. And most importantly it reminds me to always Have fun.

This is my favorite JC photo because it captures our whole family having fun and enjoying each other! It makes me smile every time I look at it!
Thanks Julie!

January 2011-3 months post baby and I had just started a new job. Life was (and still is!) crazy busy, and our family of 3 was still adjusting to our new family of 4. There were many moments when my then 2 year old would test me, pushing me over the edge and I'd find myself in the middle of my living room floor in tears. I had every intention of having professional photos of our family taken shortly after the newest member's birth; however, life's challenges got in the way and I kept having to put my wish on the back burner. Finally, we set a date with Julie Campbell. This was our first photo session with her and I was so excited. She captured so many wonderful pictures of my family and I, including this one of my boys. Despite the daily and nightly tantrums and crying (them, not me) I finally had a happy picture of my kids together. My eldest is smiling and my youngest, while not smiling, i imagine is looking off into the distance thinking "This is a nice hug to be in" (probably along with "When do I get to eat?"). Brotherhood frozen in time! i love looking at this picture over, and over, and over.

Time goes by so quickly and I hardly remember these days when my now 3 year old E. was the age if my now newborn G.! Your photo captured that moment for my husband and I to remember and cherish today because in a blink of an eye G. will be 3 years old before we know it.

Back when I was a senior in high school, senior pictures were a big deal! I remember loving my picture the most because I was lucky enough to get to have them in the beach (being from Missouri I was a little different then everyone else's) and was very excited to show my friends how well they turned out. I loved this picture in particular because of the how the wind was blowing my hair in a good (but not too wild) way. Haha I sound dumb right? Anyways it was an impressive shot that you had to take on the ground considering you were very pregnant at the time! Haha! Thanks for the great pictures all those years ago!

7 Year Anniversary

It's been 7 years since Julie Campbell Photography was born. What a wonderful journey it has been for me. Each year my business has grown, and I've been able to do what I love everyday. I feel so blessed. I'm celebrating with a contest for my past clients. Be sure to enter if you haven't already!

In Transition

I'm so glad you came to see my new website! It has been a labor of love, and something I hope can show you what kind of images I create. I love that it's simple and easy to navigate, and doesn't have too much fluff. Years and years of blogging are still available for you to review HERE. Don't hesitate to visit there to view my work not displayed on this website.