Julie Potter
Julie Potter, a senior at Marywood University, is preparing to graduate with a BFA in Photography in May. Her journey into photography began back in high school, where she discovered her passion while photographing nature and her cross-country team. Originally from Havertown, a suburb of Philadelphia, Potter’s love for capturing moments has since evolved into a full-blown career ambition.
At Marywood, Potter is not only known for her photography skills but also serves as the Photo Editor for The Wood Word, Marywood’s student-run newspaper. This role has kept her on her toes, covering a variety of events, including rallies for both the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigns in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. She describes photojournalism as fast-paced and exciting, sharing that she was thrilled to have a press pass for the Harris rally, which she calls one of her proudest photographic achievements. Although both events were drastically different, she managed to capture powerful moments at each.
Potter primarily works with Canon equipment and has a particular fondness for the 18-135mm lens she often borrows from the communication department. However, she’s also drawn to prime lenses like the 50mm and 24mm for their sharpness and versatility. While she’s spent much of her college years honing her skills in photojournalism, Potter hopes to focus on wedding photography after graduation. "There's a lot of money in wedding photography," she notes with a laugh, making it a practical and passion-driven career choice.
Outside of photography, Potter enjoys reading, crocheting, and occasionally painting. She finds inspiration in two key figures, her mother, who raised her and her brothers on her own, and Sue Jenkins, a Marywood art professor who has played an important role in shaping Potter’s artistic path. Jenkins' unique art style has deeply influenced Potter, and she credits her with much of her success in the program.
In a similar spirit to Jenkins, Potter offers her own advice for aspiring photographers at Marywood. “Shoot as much as you can. The more photos you take, the better you’ll get. And learn from your peers because if they’re learning, you will too.”
Looking ahead, Potter envisions herself working as a wedding photographer in her hometown area within the next decade, potentially after learning the ropes under a seasoned professional. While her most recent work from the Harris rally stands as her proudest achievement to date, she’s certain that her next big project will quickly take its place.
As she prepares to leave Marywood, Potter reflects fondly on the art faculty, who she says have been her greatest support system throughout her time here. “They really want you to be better and will do anything to help you get there,” she adds, emphasizing the dedication and care that has helped her grow as both an artist and a person.