Into the Unknown with Julie Whitbread
It’s only three months into the year and, at this point, I have to admit that being able to interview and spotlight so many talented creatives has been one of my absolute favourite parts of 2024. Last month, we stepped Into the Unknown with Lisa Connor to uncover the secrets of her bokeh-filled wildlife photography. This month, I decided to shake things up a bit and highlight the stunning multi-genre work of the incredibly talented Julie Whitbread.
Photo Credit: Julie Whitbread
Julie Whitbread is a multifaceted photographer from Ontario with a passion for wild spaces and creative living. Forever influenced by the natural world, Julie uses her artistic sensibilities to craft work that echoes the beauty of the world around her. When not using her camera, Julie flows between drawing, painting, and ceramics to build an impressive oeuvre. Follow Julie Into the Unknown to discover how she balances a multidisciplinary photography practice.
So, first things first, not only are you a tremendous wildlife photographer, but you also capture stunning still life/studio images. How would you describe the similarities and differences between those two forms of photography?
Photo Credit: Jule Whitbread
I find these two genres of photography to be great compliments to one another - they encourage me to keep possibilities open to different ways of shooting that I might not think of if I only kept to one genre. It allows me to exercise those same muscles in different ways. I will begin with light – all good photos have that in common, regardless of genre. For wildlife and nature, you are using what is given without the possibility of adjustment and being able to be flexible and open to the unexpected scenes you may be presented with. With still life/studio photography, there is the possibility of creating your own light in whatever way serves the subject and feel of the photo you’re taking. This requires more knowledge (and equipment) about how to create that light - manipulating the direction and intensity, the colour, and how it serves the feeling of the photo you are creating. Next is composition – another critical element to good photos. In nature and wildlife photography, you must work with the scene you are given and act accordingly, knowing where to position the subject in the frame, what elements to include, how to exclude elements, the angle at which you take it - all seemingly split decisions based on what your subject is doing. Still life allows you to set up a scene and move things around. You are then presented with almost limitless possibilities, which can be even more daunting than a scene you have no control over. Everything in a still life can be manipulated to a certain extent, where the only things you can change in wildlife photography is your position (sometimes) and camera settings. Moments and action unfold whether you are ready or not, and only experience and practice and time can help you learn how to be ready for those moments in order to capture a different result.
I find that both of your photography styles have a haunting ethereal presence about them. Was that a conscious decision, or is it a manifestation of your inner creative spirit?
I think this is a bit of both! I love images that evoke emotion and feeling, and either tell a story or make you want to know more about the subject. I've always been drawn to folk tales, fairytales, fantasy, and myth. These stories usually have deeper meanings and lessons within the story that the reader can learn from. I love trying to capture that sense of story and history. I'm drawn to images that embrace shadow and have darker, richer colour, and I try to emulate that in my work.
Sprinkled in your studio photography portfolio you have a collection of gorgeous self-portraits. How do you feel your photography allows you to express yourself in a way that other mediums might not?
Photo Credit: Julie Whitbread
I enjoy including myself in my studio photography; it all allows me to interact with my subject and medium. I use a lot of vintage or antique subjects that I love having in my home and some are passed down from family members, so it can be way of showing that human connection to objects. Having a person interact with pieces gives them a human presence and shows their function beyond being used as a prop. Maybe why I'm drawn to photographing candles is that flame is a natural element and gives photos a sense of life.
Looking at a specific photo now, what drew you to this specific item/collection of items, and how did you go about crafting the perfect scene to capture their essence?
I've been getting natural beeswax candles from a lovely candle maker in Ottawa for about a year, and they will often inspire different shoots. I had a package of new candles arrive that I wanted to show as a group, and with the winter solstice approaching it was making me think of sunlight and darkness, and how the days would soon be lengthening. Thinking of sunshine makes me think of the colours yellow and gold, reflections, creativity, the sun and the solstice and the mythology surrounding that event. I had a beautiful deep yellow tablecloth, used a vintage brass hand mirror, a Norse mythology book, a book on creativity, and a vintage wood/brass candle snuffer.
Photo Credit: Julie Whitbread
One of things that draws me into your photography is your use of movement, both in how you take the photos and your subjects themselves. Why do you think movement is such a powerful way to draw the viewer in?
I think I love it because it goes against the notion of how we typically think of taking a photo - to freeze motion. To have a crisp, clear, frozen-in-time image. I find something magical about the camera’s ability to capture that motion as it flows, the blur really highlights the movement and we see the motion in a way that our eyes cannot.. It is a way of slowing time and drawing attention to what movement can look like.
Photo Credits: Julie Whitbread
Thank you so much to Julie for taking us behind her creative passions. If you love her work as much I do, you can check out her studio photography Instagram account here, her wildlife photography Instagram account here, as well as her website and Facebook page.
