Wedding Photographer ... Julie Michaelsen
When did you start in this business and what did you do before?
I started in wedding photography almost 5 years ago but before that was working in hedge fund sales (no, no one else knew what it meant either!) needless to say this job is a lot more fun and fulfilling!
How would you describe your style?
Fine art editorial with candid / reportage elements. I believe in giving my clients not only beautiful, light filled, intimate & natural imagery which become family heirlooms but also providing a superior service. Customer service is something I learnt the value of whilst working in finance
What is your favourite flower?
There is a fragrant rose called Sweet Juliette. It reminds me of my dear late grandmother who told me it was named after me. It is her handwriting which makes up my branding and logo, she remains at the forefront of my heart as well as my business
What sort of information do you need to know when meeting with a prospective client for the first time?
When I meet a prospective client for the first time I need to know practical information like date, venue & number of hours of coverage they’d like but more importantly I’ll always ask how they met & what they want their wedding to feel like.
It’s really important to me that I get to know my couples & I'm fascinated by peoples’ love stories. I’m not the type of photographer who books loads and loads of weddings a year and churns them out. I couldn't do that, I left a soulless job in search of authenticity & meaning, and I find that in the couples who book me & their connection. It truly feeds my soul!
How many weddings do you handle per year and would you do more than one per weekend?
I tend to shoot between 15-20 a year. I have in the past done 2 weddings in a weekend but its not my favourite thing to do as it really burns you out mentally and physically but for the right couples I will commit to it
Do you have fixed prices for shooting/albums/discs or can you tailor the package for each client?
I have a few different packages available but I’m always willing to offer a customised solution for my couples
Is there anyone in the wedding industry that you particular respect or admire or have been influenced by?
Jose Villa! I have huge admiration for his aesthetic but also for his longevity & business acumen. He has ruled the wedding photography world for years, and there is still only one Jose Villa! I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to study with him in Mexico in 2015, this really transformed my business and was a real turning point for my career
What is the most fun part of your job?
Definitely delivering photos & getting happy feedback, I love it when brides tell me they feel gorgeous in their photos it really gives me a buzz! I also, of course, love seeing couples who are truly in love, lost in each other and oblivious to the world around them, its magical to witness and makes me feel that despite everything the world is a beautiful place as long as love like this exists!
What is the most important part of your job?
Capturing family...
I have received so many emails over the years from people telling me an elderly family member who was at their wedding has recently passed away & therefore the photos I’ve taken of them at their wedding day are all the more precious. In one case a bride told me they used a photo I had taken of her grandfather as the photo on the order of service at his funeral. That is incredibly important and gives me goosebumps (oh wow , me too x)
In the years to come no one will remember who took the photo, and that really doesn’t matter to me, it matters that their memories are immortalised and turned into priceless family heirlooms, that, to me is the epitome of value
What makes you laugh?
My baby daughter, her joy at waking up every day & the way she giggles. It is the best sound in the world to me!
Thank you Julie, having worked with you several times over the years, I can confirm that you are a joy to work with and your photography skills rock! x