Julia

I grew up quiet, an observer who loved making memories and holding onto them. My cousin and I still reminisce about our favorite childhood summer from 2006, and I’ve always kept letters, notes, sketches, and little mementos from the people I love. I’ve always been drawn to the things that remind us of connection.

I moved back to the US at 16 after spending nearly 10 years in the Philippines. I stayed close with the friends who made that chapter feel like home, and they’re still the reason I go back. On my visit in January 2025, something shifted. It felt like finding the missing piece in my art. It brought me full circle, reminding me why I create in the first place. That feeling still guides every photograph I make, helping me create images that hold the memory of your time together.

My younger sister, Katey, passed away in 2021. I don’t talk about her often, but I think about her all the time: her kindness, her pure heart. She was doing photography long before I ever appreciated it the way I do now. Sometimes I wonder where we’d be if she were still here… maybe photographing side-by-side like we used to when we were younger. Somehow, my artistry now feels like an ode to her.

My dogs, Blue and Laska, have shaped my journey too. They’re the reason I picked up a camera in 2021, and they keep me grounded, reminding me to appreciate the little things, to live freely, and that you don’t need words to build a deep connection.

some childhood friends in the Philippines. Blue and Laska got to come on this trip!

my family

me and Katey

I was OBSESSED with 101 Dalmatians. I once asked my dad why they didn't name me "Jewel," which is the name of one of the puppies in the movie

My artistry is shaped by the places and people who have marked my life: a decade in the Philippines that taught me the value of home, a visit that reconnected me to the piece of art I didn’t know I’d lost, kind people whose souls inspire the way I see the world, and the dogs who taught me that connection doesn’t always need words.

I've learned that a photo is powerful because of how it feels, and it doesn't matter if it’s candid, creative, or a blend of both.

EMOTION > STYLE. ALWAYS.

When I photograph you, I’m not just documenting what happened. I’m preserving the way your laughter sounded, the way your people held you close, the warmth, the nostalgia, the story of who you are together. All of that, with a blend of artistic touch.

Because if we’re not having fun making art, why do it at all?

So philosophy is simple: See people first. Honor the connection. Embrace the imperfect. Craft images that feel like memory the moment we see them. And lastly, don't be afraid to make art.