ABOUT

Julia S. Washburn, Photographer

Hello, I´m Julia
and I love capturing beauty in life

I seek to create photographs that awaken wonder, helping myself and others see ordinary things in unique, beautiful ways to feel surprise, joy, and hope. In the busyness of life, we can get so overwhelmed, inward-focused, and disenchanted that we do not feel connected to something greater than ourselves. When we can’t see our place in an unfolding story, we are not vibrant contributors to society. However, when we are moved by wonder, ordinary becomes extraordinary and impossible becomes possible.

*  *  *

For years, I’ve been drawn to art forms that convey my understanding of truth, hope, and the unfathomable grace of Jesus’ shed blood for redemption and restoration of mankind. As a trained pianist, nuance, tone, and structure shape my performance. As a graphic designer, organization, space, and simplicity conduct my message. As a photographer, line, unsung detail, and story give voice to beauty.

The seed of photography interest was planted as a child when my father, employed by Eastman Kodak, shared the magic of dark room film development with my brother and me. In 2011, I entered the DSLR world, then developed a fondness for the quiet of a mirrorless camera. More recently I learned the craft of fine art printing and framing.

I enjoy an almost-daily morning routine in my kitchen studio, in a garden with camera in hand, or digital dark room exploring old and new, light and shadow, hoping to discover the beautiful. The rest of my days I manage Clerestory Learning/Make Way for Books, LLC, a business my husband Kevin and I built. We are grateful to marry our interests, creating classroom applications of neurocognitive research by developing programs and professional development for teachers in the areas of critical thinking, creativity, learning, reading, and writing.

Originally from upstate New York, we have called the greater Birmingham area of Alabama home for a little more than 25 years.

 

THE JOURNEY

2023

Stonehenge Gallery, Montgomery AL
MAG Regions Bank Exhibition—Category Winners (gallery display)

2022

Regions Bank–RSA Tower, Montgomery AL
56th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition (juried exhibition)
Photography Category, First Place – Faces That Shine

Artavita
54th International Artavita Online Art Contest (juried publication)
Finalist

Stonehenge Gallery, Montgomery AL
Alabama Camera Clubs Exhibit (juried by peers)

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta GA
Metro Montage XXII Exhibit (juried exhibition)

Engage Art (engageart.org)
Interpretation of Ephesians 6:10-20 (juried online exhibition)
Semi-Finalist
Artist Profile

Ex Nihilo Gallery
Out of Nothing: The Essence of Creating (juried online exhibition)
People’s Choice Award, Third Place – Ruah
Virtual Walk-Through and Virtual Viewing Room 

2021

Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden AL
Focus: Annual Photography Exhibit (juried exhibition)
Honorable Mention – Heirloom Harvest 

The Art Gallery—Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn AL
PHOTO XXII Photography Exhibition (juried exhibition)
Auburn Arts Association Merit Award – Stories to Tell

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery AL
44th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition (juried exhibition)

2019 

New York Center for Photographic Art, New York NY
Secondary Colors Exhibition (juried exhibition)
Online gallery and In print
Honorable Mention – Flamenco

Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Arts Center, Sylacauga AL
The Photography of the Shades Valley Camera Club (group exhibition) 

Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden AL
Focus: Annual Photography Exhibit (juried exhibition)
Honorable Mention – Flight Plan 

Stonehenge Gallery, Montgomery AL
Stonehenge Gallery: 2019 Photo Gallery Exhibit (juried exhibition)

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery AL
43rd Annual Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition (juried exhibition)

 

2018

Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden AL
Focus: Annual Photography Exhibit (juried exhibition)
Second Place Award – Her Story: Crowns

 

2017

Johnson Center for the Arts, Troy, AL 
The Art of Being Southern (juried exhibition)

Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, Blue Ridge, GA
(juried exhibition)

New York Center for Photographic Art
Jadite Gallery, New York NY
Wandering Curves Exhibition (juried exhibition)
Third Place Award – Fern Swirl 

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery AL
42nd Annual Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition (juried exhibition)

City Hall, Montgomery AL
Montgomery Art Guild Salon de Réfuse (juried exhibition) 

Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, Tuscaloosa AL
Tuscaloosa Arts Council
Double Exposure Photography Exhibit (juried exhibition)
Award of Excellence – Fern Swirl 

 

2016 

Shades Valley Camera Club, Birmingham AL
Image of the Year Award –
Convergence 

City News Magazine photographer, Pelham & Helena AL

 

2015 

Vermont Magazine
Bromley Dairy Farm 

 

2014 

Shades Valley Camera Club, Birmingham AL
Ralph Roseman Award, Best Projected Image of the Year – Natural Imitation

FAVORITE GROUP

Gentri or Piano Guys
depending on the day

FAVORITE PET

Ernest
(Oh, how we miss him!)

FAVORITE FOOD

Salmon and
sweet potatoes

GUILTY PLEASURE

Loose Leaf Christmas Tea,
all day long