Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Short Courses
Certification
Exhibitions
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic
Julie Aarts

Julie Aarts

Lecturer
Gqeberha

Summary

Experienced photographer and art director with a talent for supporting creative research, visual storytelling, and academic research and teaching. Proficient in developing concept treatments, moodboards, and shoot materials that have led to numerous published and exhibited works. Demonstrates strong visual organization, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with creative teams and clients.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications

Work History

BVA Lecturing Assistant

Nelson Mandela University
08.2021 - Current
  • Managed classroom effectively, maintaining a respectful learning environment conducive to student growth.
  • Mentored new lecturing assistants, sharing best practices and providing guidance on effective teaching techniques.
  • Enhanced students'' understanding of course materials by utilizing multimedia presentations and interactive activities.

Lead Photographer

VanBode Wedding Photo & Video
02.2021 - Current
  • Lead photographer on high-end wedding productions, ensuring cinematic quality and emotional storytelling.
  • Skilled in pre-production planning and on-set direction, fostering smooth collaboration with clients and second shooters.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality photography services for various events and projects.

Freelance Photographer

Makes Aarts
01.2016 - Current
  • Freelance Photographer and Assistant specializing in commercial, fashion, and event photography.
  • Photographer for clients: Top Billing, Glamour Magazine, Execuspecs, Yellow Zebra, Rooftop, The Folklore, Anchor Me Magazine, Gugu Peteni, Zuri & Imani, Developing Agency, and more.
  • Assisted leading photographers such as Paulo Sergio Toureiro, Michael Oliver Love, and Duane Howard.

Art Director

Developing Agency
06.2023 - 07.2023
  • Art Director at Developing Media, leading visual direction and conceptual development for short films.
  • Recent Project: The Story of a Thorn, a short film sponsored by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).

Photographic Agent & Stills Production Assistant

Hero Creative Management
02.2019 - 12.2020
  • Served as a production assistant and agent to photographers, handling artist bookings, casting coordination, and on-set support for commercial shoots.
  • Managed social media marketing and day-to-day production logistics, including script distribution, call sheets, and shoot documentation.

Education

Diploma - Photography

Nelson Mandela University
04.2014 - 01.2016

Bachelors of Technology - Photography

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape Town, South Africa
04-2018

Bachelor of Arts - Photography

Nelson Mandela University
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
04.2001 -

Skills

Studio Lighting

Awards

Alexander Macun Photography Award, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2015

Short Courses

  • WordPress.com Essential Training, Linkedin Learning: Carrie Dils, 01/01/23
  • Professional Retouching Course in Photoshop, Udemy: Marcin Mikus, 01/01/21
  • The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginner's Course, Udemy: Lindsay Marsh, 01/01/20
  • Social Media and Online Marketing Workshop, NTA and Academy for Business Excellence, 01/01/20

Certification

Graphic Design, Lindsay Marsh, Udemy

Exhibitions

GROUP EXHIBITION RECORD:

2023

Portrait Show 2023, Through The Lens Collective,Johannesburg, South Africa

Together, Ava Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa (curated by Gareth Pearson)

Sasol New Signatures Exhibition 2023, Pretoria Art Museum,Pretoria, South Africa

2022

04 Annual Exhibition: Leap from A Century, Artec Gallery, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Together, Ava Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa (curated by Gareth Pearson)

2022 Together, Ava Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa (curated by Gareth Pearson)

Medical & Memory, Artec Gallery, Port Elizabeth, South Africa (curated by Taryn Jade)

2021

Black: Our Stories, Athol Fugard Terrace Gallery, Port Elizabeth, South Africa (curated by Gugu Peteni)


COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS:

2022

Thanks, Mr Bell, Durban FilmMart Institute, Durban, South Africa (Screening in collaboration with Mzimasi Ndzombane)

2021

Hollow City, My Røde Reel (Short Film in collaboration with Mzimasi Ndzombane)



Personal Information

Driving License: Valid Code B - Own Vehicle

Timeline

Art Director

Developing Agency
06.2023 - 07.2023

BVA Lecturing Assistant

Nelson Mandela University
08.2021 - Current

Lead Photographer

VanBode Wedding Photo & Video
02.2021 - Current

Photographic Agent & Stills Production Assistant

Hero Creative Management
02.2019 - 12.2020

Freelance Photographer

Makes Aarts
01.2016 - Current

Diploma - Photography

Nelson Mandela University
04.2014 - 01.2016

Bachelor of Arts - Photography

Nelson Mandela University
04.2001 -

Bachelors of Technology - Photography

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Julie AartsLecturer