Julie Betts Testwuide had been working in corporate and sports photography since completing her Masters Degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1981. her clients have included, AT&T, Avon, Chase, Chemical Bank, General Foods, Manufacturers Hanover, Miller Brewing, Philip Morris, Simon and Schuster, and St. Martin’s Press. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Daily News, The New York Post, Runner’s World Magazine, Running News Magazine, New York Magazine, annual reports and corporate brochures. She has photographed the New York Marathon from the highest point of the scaffolding on the Verrazanno Bridge. She cruised on Malcolm Forbes yacht, The Highlander, to photograph his private celebration of the publication of one of his books. On firmer ground, she shot the stills of the Rodney Dangerfield/Miller Lite T.V. commercials in L.A.

Prior to receiving her Masters, Julie was a teacher in Wisconsin. She moved to New York to pursue her love of photography and subsequently married. After the birth of her third child, she decided the travel demands of corporate assignments were too time consuming. The desire to continue her photography while spending more time at home with her kids inspired her to write and illustrate two children’s books. Her daughters modeled for "Postcards from Manhattan," a book that resembles old tinted postcards of popular sights in N.Y.C. It is written through the children’s postcards to friends and relatives sharing the unusual facts that they have learned about each landmark. She is currently seeking a publisher for the books.

In the fall of 1995 Julie made the leap into the fine art world. She uses both black and white film as well as color Polaroid processes to create evocative images that are timeless. Her current B&W project is titled ”American Porch Life”. She has documented not only the architectural variety of porches, but how they are used . She uses several techniques that transform photos into prints that resemble paintings. One technique starts with a black & white image which is hand painted with oils. Her latest process involves the manipulation of a Polaroid photo and then enhancing the print with pastels and pencils into “painterly photos”. Julie’s recent photos taken in France resemble impressionist paintings and include Monet’s garden and home in Giverny, seaside scenes on the Riviera, vineyards in Bordeaux, and villages in Provence. She has currently been producing work in the Adirondack Mountains. Her newest body of work includes scenes with canoes and kayaks on pristine lakes and streams as well as mountain landscapes with horses and wildlife.

Since her children model for her, they have become involved in the artistic process and have developed a keen eye and an interest in creating art as well. Julie and Molly exhibited their “painterly photos” together in SOHO in January, 1998. The New York Times wrote a feature story promoting their artistic endeavors. Mother and daughter have individual creations and have collaborated on images as well. Emily and KC have both won awards for their photographs as well.

Julie’s work is in numerous private and public collections throughout the country. She has shown her work at many galleries in the USA and in Europe. She has been a member of the Salmagundi Club, a century old prestigious arts club on Fifth Avenue in New York City, where she has won numerous awards. She has served on the board of directors of ”New Century Artists”, a gallery in Soho. Her work can be viewed occassionally at Soho Photo Gallery in Tribeca. Julie’s work is online at www.guild.com and at www.juliearts.com.

Please click below to read articles about Julie:

The New York Times, Sunday, January 11, 1998
'Painterly Photos' by a Mother and Daughter

North County News, Sunday, January 14, 1998
New Images From a Mother and Daughter

Daily News, Sunday, January 9, 1998
It's Going to Be A Gem of a Year

North County News, Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Equestrian Landscapes by Yorktown artist on display