+ NAVIGATE

I traveled the world aimlessly and ended up on this island.  My two little grommets are everything to me, the loves, the play, the gut busting laughs, all of it. I raise my family to be wise, creative and kind. We share the earth's connection; the real us, the real you, the joy of living, the moments of true love, life's starts, life's ends, and most importantly, the gratefulness of being alive. We love life, live it, and do our best to document it. After all, when it is all said and done, it's about what you believed in, and how you lived it.

I am Julie, a widowed mother two wild souls that met up at the prime of our lives. If opposites attract, than we are just perfect. We believe in challenging the status quo and in thinking differently. We are that un-perfect cool family that thrives on fresh ocean salty air, and is always ready to throw down on some healthy, yummy, fresh caught grub. You might pass us on the way up to the mountains with snowboards + fly rods, or with our feet dangling out the window of our car, headed down south for some surf. Our motto of life is "live the adventure", and we do.

Having the courage to live life to it's fullest

heart + soul

EVER SINCE I was a little girl, art has been a huge part of my life. I remember the day I discovered how sun flickers through trees to make shadows in my grandmothers garden at 7 years old. I will never forget how thrilling it felt to turn garden flowers into art, to create drawings by simply using my favorite colors and leaves.  I can close my eyes and still recall the wonder from falling asleep each night to the symphony of birds chirping, the smell of earth, and Bach playing on the record player. I was born to express and create through art and light.

family art

family + Legacy

the value of

It is the value of famiy itself, defendign it's members from the worst poverty known to man, loneliness. When I became a suddenly became a widow after 24 years with my husband, I can to a full realization that it was myself and myself alone to take responsibility for my own heritage, our family tradition, and it has been our most valued asset. 
We live in both...
Subsidiarity-Letting the members and families do what they can on their own instead of using a big system.  It honors responsibility, freedom, and the dignity God gives every person to steward their own life.
and
Solidarity-We stand for each other, especially through struggles, This has created unity and compassion for each other through sharing each others burdens.

my belief is that family is the core to a healthy society

we are living through a special time. We are witnessing a comeback of the great value of family, as a guardian of ideals.

It's so simple and normal.
The true meaning of family is a place for respect and mutual acceptance. The one and only duty to it must come from the heart.  

I words I pass down to my son daily:
Make yourself useful and be an honorable man and a true gentleman.
Keep your word, or you will get into trouble. If you cannot be truthful, you must explain why and give the reasons. This is the base or our ideal.


sharing the same ideals


  • Cultivate a life that benefits mankind daily

  • Define the family tree and guardian it

  • Look after our surroundings and create a balanced and sustainable lifestyle

  • Be generous, humble and have manners




strong value coveys a love for the future


That's the path to getting better, wiser, stronger and more resilient. It's such an attainable benchmark, even with my young children.

Each night we go over what happened that day. What could we have changed, or done better? What did we do good at? 
It's truly amazing to see what they come up with.

"one quote a day"

my kiddos

My favorite things in life

Family is an extensive concept.  I am convinced that the peoples of the world can develop mostly thanks to the feeeling and awareness to be part of a single, large family.   Only this way based on the great values of justice and dignity, will the bright future awaiting us be within reach for the whole of mankid.

Ever since moving to this island, I have gone to the beach and spend time alone journaling, studying the greats in history like the Bible and Marcus Aurelius's meditations. I love to learn, but today, my family is the truest foundation.  Instead of searching for perfection, I have made time to rediscover it. My family has reconnected to each other soulfully and spiritually through my efforts. My spouse has died, yet I do not feel lonely because of the vital role my Outer Banks community is in our lives. The people of this island live as a large family that does not forsake you. I love being in such a culture, from which I have learnt the meaning of human value and connection. It is a very special kind of life.

I have a passion for history and love what the Outer Banks has to offer.  There are such deep roots here. It's so funny to think tht even back in stoic times, they were thinking and feeling just like we are today.  Today's great thinkers are only reinventing what the great apostles of the past had already discovered through walking with Jesus. Human feelings do not change over time and location, heritage and family are a great symbol of this. Defining and staying close to central moral value is important. 


heritage and legacy on the OBX

Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation.

Showing Up
Life is full, and every connection matters. Thank you to my family for being present, for celebrating, for encouraging, and for reflecting love back into the world. I’m grateful for each person who shows up—not just in big moments, but in the everyday ways that make life meaningful.

Giving and Receiving
I’ve learned that real partnership grows through honesty, forgiveness, and shared purpose. Supporting each other means being a safe place, encouraging growth, and celebrating the small victories together. Every act of care is a reflection of God’s love working through us.

Cherishing Presence
Every moment apart from someone we care about reminds us how precious connection is. Yet God’s timing is perfect, and our priorities must reflect that. Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s showing up, listening, and making space for one another in the messy, beautiful journey of life.


SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER as family

Going beyond the surface and get to the best story

not a posed, fake, unrealistic version of who you are.

- the real you -

It's more than a photo experience, it's documenting the essence of who you are

- capturing truth -

A photograph captures your unique moments in time for you to look back on and relive over

- and over again -

Unposed real moments
in time

where the heart shines
through

- family -

we capture stories