Meet Julie Chatham | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Chatham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I knew I wanted to be a professional photographer since I was in college at the University of Colorado doubling in Creative Writing and Photography. For me, the idea of working with a wide variety of people while also creating art was compelling. I also loved the idea of being independent contractor and being my own boss. Some people like the safety and security of a 9 to 5 sort of job, but I never have. I love freedom. Even when it means that I may not have that security and that predictable paycheck. It’s been a worthwhile tradeoff for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love human beings. I’m a photographer of humans (and occasionally the pets of humans). I’m a humanist and believe that we are all beautiful and flawed and amazing and hurting and possess vast potential even if, for so many of us, that potential is only partially realized during our time in this world.

My love and empathy for people greatly informs my art and artistic instincts. I’d rather stare at a portrait of a face disfigured by time, experience and suffering than the most beautiful image of a landscape or building or some other inanimate object any day of the week. People are endlessly fascinating to me, and I love getting to create authentic images of my subjects that capture the beautiful truth of who they are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d definitely hit Pearl Street and go to places like Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream, The Rio for margs and nachos, and Pasta Jay’s to satisfy our Italian food cravings. I also love Jax Fish House for seafood and License No. 1 for cocktails. If they weren’t on a budget, I’d recommend staying at the St. Julien, mine and my husband’s favorite place to stay in the city.

And I’d be sure to recommend they get a hike in at Chautauqua Park, Eldorado Canyon or Sanitas. Another day, we’d go on a day trip north of Boulder to Lyons, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I guess I’d say my mom and dad. While not artists themselves, they were both extremely supportive of me even in junior high when I started experimenting with photography. They never discouraged my budding interest in the arts and particularly in photography even though I really had no idea what sort of career you could have as a photographer or how much money you could made. I think that’s maybe somewhat rare as I know other people who’s parents were perhaps less supportive or maybe even discouraged their child from pursuing a more “out there” sort of dream. So often in life, we’re told to p[ay it safe and not be too unconventional or different. My parents may not have foreseen me having a successful photography career, but they were kind enough to let me explore that path on my own and figure it out for myself.

Website: https://junemoonphotography.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junemoonphoto