Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Lewis.
Hi Julia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started photographing with a camera my parents bought back in 2013, when I was a freshman in high school. It sat untouched in the closet for a while, until one day I decided to play around with it. I’d always been drawn to the arts – especially drawing and painting – so photography felt like a natural extension of that creativity.
I started by photographing my high school’s sporting events, but I quickly realized I had a real passion (and eye) for portraits. I connected with a recently graduated senior who had just launched her own wedding photography business and interned with her for a few months. That experience, along with some online courses and support from a few other local photographers, gave me the push I needed to start my own business once I graduated high school in 2017.
I went on to study photography at NKU, and now, nearly eight years later, I’ve had the joy of photographing hundreds of weddings. Starting so young gave me a really unique perspective in this industry, and becoming a bride myself in 2022 only deepened my love and appreciation for the art of storytelling through photographs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road – but a worthwhile one. I started my business at 18, so in the early years I was juggling a lot: growing my business, working multiple jobs to keep a steady income, attending college full time, and trying to be a present friend and girlfriend. At one point, I was balancing a 60-hour work week with classes and a full social life, and it was exhausting.
I also had a few tough client experiences in that first year – people who took advantage of the fact that I was young, new to the industry, and a woman just trying to get her footing. It was discouraging and honestly pretty disheartening at times. But I kept going, and I’m so grateful I didn’t let a few hard moments stop me from pursuing something I really love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a full-time wedding photographer with a documentary and film-inspired approach. I focus on capturing honest, emotionally-driven moments – everything from the big, loud celebrations to the quiet, in-between ones. I also shoot on Super 8 film and a variety of film cameras, which brings a nostalgic, timeless quality to the stories I tell.
Over the years, I’ve become locally known for my film work – if you search ‘Cincinnati film photographer’, I’m one of the first to show up. It’s a huge honor to be recognized for something I love so much, and I’m proud to be part of a growing movement of artists who are bringing analog mediums back to life.
What I’m most proud of, though, is the relationships I build with my clients. I’m not just there to take pretty photos – I truly want to get to know the people I’m documenting. I’ll send you voice memos about outfit ideas, grab coffee with you, create your timeline, celebrate your engagement, cry during your vows, and probably stay friends long after the wedding day. That connection is what allows me to tell stories that feel deeply personal and true to each couple.
What sets me apart is that I’m not focused on perfection or posed moments. I’m focused on meaning. I want my work to reflect the way a moment felt, not just how it looked – and I think that shows in the galleries I deliver.
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about numbers or accolades. It’s about being sought out by couples who truly see and value my work – who trust me to document one of the most meaningful days of their lives. Being paid to do what I love every day is already the greatest success I could hope for.
But beyond that, real success looks like booking with my dream clients: down-to-earth, empathetic people who are deeply in love and aren’t afraid to show it. The kind of couples who care more about connection than perfection. I’m so lucky to not only photograph their weddings, but to often stay friends with them long after the day is over. That lasting relationship, that continued trust – that’s what success looks like to me.
Pricing:
- Wedding day photography starts at $5,000
- Wedding day photography and videography starts at $8,000
- Wedding weekend photography starts at $8,000
- Wedding weekend photography and videography starts at $12,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliahunterphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliahunterphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliahuntermphotography
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user219824589
Image Credits
Julia Lewis, Julia Hunter Photography.
