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Julia Marie Werner discovered her love for photography in France and ever since has been taking pictures in the most peculiar locations from Bangkok to Cape Town. She not only discover secret places, but is also fond of unveiling people’s and animals’ hidden inner diamonds.
Her series ‘Big City Lion’ about her dog – a former stray - wearing a lion’s mane at different landmarks around Hamburg, brought her worldwide media attention. Besides continuously portraying people and animals, she also made a successful carreer in shooting campaigns from VW to Lufthansa - always bestowing a contagious liveliness and joyfulness to her pictures.
Julia is based and working in Hamburg, Germany.
Your art is…
My way to express my feelings, my life, my thoughts and my wishes.
Name something you love, and why.
My dog. He came like from heaven. I mean when does a stray dog in the middle of the Spanish wilderness run up to you and inspire you in such a special way? I did a personal photo project with him and the stray dog that belonged to me from the very first second went totally viral as "big city lion" and even ended up on TV.
Which professional success meant the most to you?
I always thought if my picture would be printed in a newspaper or it would be somewhere on a magazine cover, then I made it. But everything in life, it´s a process. And every success has it´s own story and therefore it´s own magic - that means a lot to me and all the people involved.
Could you eat cheesecake for a whole week?
For sure !
Analog or Digital?
Both again.
Where do you go when you want to be with you?
When I go to France to visit my French family on the countryside my hearts opens up. This is a very special place for me with it´s own story and I start feeling myself again.
Or sometimes I go down to the river with the dog, near by us. Then I stand there, look to the water and feel the wind. (If its stormy weather, its even better ;)) And then I have the feeling that I am back to myself.
Tell us something about your education
After graduating from high school, I first went abroad. In France I discovered my love for photography. After my apprenticeship as a photographer in the René Staud Sudios in Leonberg, I worked as a freelance photo assistant from 2007 to 2012, living in Cape Town for several months before settling down as a photo designer in Hamburg. Today I mainly take photos for magazines, advertising and work for various agencies. Although I come from automotive photography, I am more interested in documenting people and their surroundings and putting them in the limelight. I am a member of the BFF professional association of free photographers and film designers and I take photos on a voluntary basis for ARTHELPS, an initiative made up of creatives and artists that has set itself the task of supporting children from socially disadvantaged areas with creative projects. A few years ago I gained worldwide attention with a series of pictures ´the BIG CITY LION
A question that moves you right now
A pretty naive question right now - Why is the world so complicated and why can´t we all live happily and joyful together?
Why photography?
Sometimes Photography opens doors into areas that you would otherwise never see.
What was the weirdest encounter, the craziest adventure or the most beautiful moment you experienced on a shoot?
The moment I met Tschikko, my dog in Spain during and Photoshoot for AUDI ;) That was the weirdest encounter, the craziest adventure and the most beautiful moment I experienced on a shoot.
What is more important to you: Form or content?
For my personal projects: FORM
For Jobs more content because that’s the deal.
What part of the human face is your favorite?
Never thought about this. Maybe the wrinkles.
Where does your inspiration live?
During Covid I noticed how my inspiration was to experience different places.
Seeing, smelling and tasting other places and learning from other cultures inspires me.
What would you do if you weren't afraid?
I don´t believe that you shouldn’t do anything because you’re scared.
Never say no, if that’s the only reason. Just do it.