Meet Feature Fortnight Winner #01 - Julia Pouly

Every fortnight at The Full House Club, we hold a photography challenge that all members can get involved in. The first theme was to use our photographer vision to SEE THE UNSEEABLE and share a behind the scenes image to accompany it. All the entries were so inspiring but when a picture gets as many likes as this one did by worthy winner, Julia Pouly, it's game, set and match! 

The winner receives a blog devoted to their talent and passion so here is Julia's world in her words...

1) Tell us all about you...

I live in Hamburg, Germany with my Kiwi husband. We met in New Zealand in 2006 on my travels, and had a long distance relationship for many years before he made the move here. A marriage followed and two lovely daughters. I gained a degree in Business Administration before switching to Psychology, and I'm currently working on my final thesis. I enjoy working at a wonderful consulting agency and spend my days writing course material for them. I also help my husband with his business, and editing his spoon carving podcast!

Since last year, I've been on a mission to uncover my authentic self, and discover what brings me joy. Lots of questions about what I want to spend my time doing and how I want to impact the world in a meaningful way took over. I wanted to get more real life experience and hone my skills as a life coach without another course, so I created the 'Peer Coaching Lab' with a fellow student. We teach students who are near to completing their degree about coaching tools via Zoom, and just yesterday, we recorded our first podcast episode! 

Since starting the beginners photography course on Lens Eleven, it's become clear that I want to spend my life taking pictures, coaching and teaching. Creating and being apart of a community are the most precious gifts.

2) What got you into photography? 

In my youth, my father was an avid photographer who documented our family in such an authentic and beautiful way. My mother curated them into albums and I still love looking at them. I even remember his leather photo bag for his DSLR!

I've always enjoyed taking pictures, especially on holidays, but only since becoming a mother did I feel the urge to step it up. I took a photo course four years ago and learned the basics but didn't shoot in manual mode. I took a lot of pictures I treasure, but there were also some frustrating moments where pictures didn't come out as I'd imagined. I've followed Laura's account for a year or two, and greatly admired her work but also the imagery shared from your students. One day, I decided to go for it, booked on and spent an outrageous amount on a camera! I have no regrets!

3) What do you love most about photography and how does it bring to your life? 

I've always admired beauty. I get excited about antique tiles, flowers and dresses, but photography has given me so much more than that. I just listened to a podcast with Catherine Price and started reading her book 'The Power of Fun.' There she describes true fun as a combination of playfulness, connection and flow, and that's what photography has given me. Throwing flowers in the air with the kids and taking pictures has been so much fun!

I can now see and appreciate the world in a totally different way. A few weeks ago, I longed for a proper house instead of our flat (which is hard and expensive in Hamburg) and I fantasised about living in an old cottage in the British countryside. These daydreams have now been replaced with an appreciation for the evening light that comes into our bedroom, and the big glass door to the balcony that brings flattering light for portraits. Photography has woken up a curiosity for reflections, colour combinations and compositions, and there is always something to marvel at.

Above all, I want to capture the beauty of the every day with my family, whether that's my daughter's tantrum and free expression of emotion (the tear on her cheek glittering in the evening sun), or how they change over time. I do't ask them to smile, so most of the time I’m just snapping away whilst they play. I want my daughter's to look back at the pictures I've taken, and realise that parenthood is amazing but incredibly challenging for everyone. I see the images I take of them as love letters. I want them to view how I see them, how loved and wonderful they are.

4) What three words describe your style?

(Hard one!) …Authentic, romantic and hopefully elegant. 

5) What inspires you everyday that you inject into your imagery?

Love and appreciating the miracle of actually being here, together as humans experiencing life. I want to tell stories, and show my kids and those around me how wonderful and beautiful they are. I would love to be a photographer one day that lovingly captures a persons true essence in a single picture. 

6) What tips would you share to get the best pictures?

Get inspired by all the beautiful photographers before and around you. Get to know your camera (Laura's Sony Settings Manual was a game changer), and being able to change the ISO without looking! 

Another tip is that your background is almost as important as your main subject. Be aware of possible distractions when you compose, especially very light ones. Sometimes a small step to the side or a little tilt to the front makes all the difference. 

7) In what capacity will photography feature in your future?

I want photography to be a big part of my life. I just recently started calling myself a photographer and will start taking steps towards paying customers, but I also want to keep having fun and experimenting. I will always celebrate the sense of awe and curiosity that comes from looking through a lens.

I'm over the moon to win Feature Fortnight and can't wait for the next challenge.

Cheers from Hamburg,

Julia x 

You can find Julia's instagram here