teenLook #3 - August 2019 - Ethan Atwood

teenLOOK
Toronto based photographer
Julia Skyba
Photographer
Spotlight
Julia's journey into photography
started by accident. Little did she
know that one day she would become a
professional photographer.
From a young age, Julia was always
fond of beautiful images and could
spent hours gazing at pictures. She
could visualize stills within the
motion of life and could hold the
images of moments already gone, but
becoming a photographer was not
something she aspired to, given her
first experience with the camera was
not very successful. Imagine a black
and white Olympus in the hands of a
9 year old, the all black, bright white
or blurry images and the frustration
and confusion that accompanied them.
Julia was positive she would never
touch a camera again, but life proved
her wrong.
When the new era of digital cameras
emerged Julia saw an opportunity to
try the camera again and bought her
first Nikon. Julia shared her excitement
over her new toy with her friend, who
also became her first client. Julia's first
paid job was a kids birthday party and
within those two hours she managed
to take over a thousand images. Later
Julia had to spend many long hours
selecting and editing those photos
before she could deliver them to her
friend. It took her years to simplify the
process and become as efficient as she
is today.
Over the last five years Julia has
taken numerous courses and training
to sharpen those natural skills,
participated in workshops, and had
hundreds of photo shoots.
Every photo session would bring both
excitement and challenges. Every new
client requires new and interesting
ideas and a unique approach.
Creativity and patience are a big part
of who Julia is and why her clients love
working with her.
For the love of photography, Julia
transformed her living room into a
studio, while the rest of the house
stores a variety of props for any
occasion. From maternity and
newborn, to business and modeling
portfolios, Julia does it all. Whether
it's a smash cake session or a wedding,
Julia has you covered. She will often
conduct a meet & greet session in
advanced, to get an understanding of
each client's desires and expectations,
as well as consult them on the best
approach or offer suggestions and
wardrobe advice. When weather
cooperates Julia also loves shooting
outside to capture her clients and the
beauty of some natural settings.
Though Julia does all kinds of photo
services and works with people of all
ages, her favorite age group is older
kids and teenagers. There is something
about them that makes them free
spirited and natural, but also easy to
manage and coordinate. They have joy
of youth with a flavor of maturity, they
are fresh and open to ideas and even to
try something crazy at times.
Being a very shy person Julia never
thought she'd be able to work with
people she doesn't know, however
when she is behind the camera she
becomes invisible and focuses only on
what she wants to achieve as a result.
Julia can lay on the ground, climb the
fence, show her models how to pose
and sometimes even entertain them
using a clown nose. One time Julia
Julia
Skyba
had to actually hide between pews and
really blend with the guests to capture
a baptism in a Catholic church where
photography was not permitted. But
she later realized she was spotted when
the minister said in his final speech,
“Anything is possible when you set
your mind to it. Even photography in
the ceremony that is not allowed.”
Julia believes that photography makes
her a better person, helps her grow in
every aspect, helps understand life and
makes time stop with every click of the
camera, giving her clients the gift of
time, those immortalized moments,
whether a smile, or a look or a simple
gesture. Photography is what shapes
Julia's dreams, her plans for future and
her life.
teenLOOK
44 teenlook.ca | issue #3