Julie K. Copenhaver

Welcome to my detailed list of professional experiences! I have a passion for documenting moments, telling stories, and helping people and organizations achieve success through creativity and communication. My foundation lies in film and digital media, journalism and marketing and I enjoy combining those skills with my love of travel and adventure.  Some my favorites experiences you'll find below include my time as an event chair, when I spearheaded a brand new fundraiser for the city of Waco (a 50-yard dash in high heels); my month aboard a ship in the Bahamas documenting hurricane relief efforts; and a summer-long internship for Texas Highways magazine. I only included things from the past 15 years (no gymnastics coaching listed on this site!), and I provided links to make things a little more fun and connected. See something you like? Contact me and let's work together!

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographer 
JKCopenhaver Photography, LLC
Central Texas, USA
2010-current
For the past 13 years, I've owned and operated my own photography business that specializes in travel photography, family portraits, epic landscapes, funny animals, informal weddings, and small events. In 2017, I felt called to do something greater with my life than my desk job would allow. So with a year’s salary saved up, I launched out by myself to travel the world and document my journey with a camera in hand. Projects and on-assignment work below:

​TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY

• Workday Wanderlust (2017-current) — Traveled solo to more than 18 countries, 4 continents, and 39 United States. Photographed portraits, landscapes and environments in each location, plus captured video footage of all journeys.
• International Photographer (2018)​ — Jeremiah's Family Ministry / Mosaic Church Austin — Traveled to Kenya, Africa to  document human portraits and living environment of  a new orphanage, Jeremiah's Family Ministry (JFM), and the local elementary school. Photos and videos are used for child sponsorships, fundraising purposes, and awareness. The July 2018 trip was in conjunction with Mosaic Church Austin's mission trip.

PORTRAIT & EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

• Graduation, bridal, engagement, families, kids, pets
• Corporate events, weddings, family gatherings, vacations, travel destinations

MARKETING

Marketing Director
Marine Reach Global
January 2020 - December 2020

• Led and organized the marketing and communication efforts for Marine Reach Global, an international maritime organization that provides disaster relief and missionary efforts to isolated locations. Directed the cohesive branding, promotion, and marketing communications of 2 ships, the MV Pacific Hope and the SY Next Wave, and one land-based operation, YWAM Barbados. Supervised an international team of 3-6 people. Created 12 videos for the organization.

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​Staff / Committee Member
Georgetown Texas Photography Festival
Georgetown, TX
2020 - current

• Help the founder of the festival create marketing initiates and items for the annual event.
• Communicate and coordinate with local businesses for day-of preparations.
• Maintain and update the event's website and Facebook page.

Freelance Web Editor 
Press Women of Texas
Austin, Texas 
2019 - 2020

• Responsible for updating content and implementing changes on the new 2019 website for Press Women of Texas. Write copy, edit pages, and create original graphics for the entire site in preparation for the annual conference. Also, research and organize duplicate Facebook pages and spearhead the organization's social media marketing efforts.

Assistant Director of Communications 
Office of Career & Professional Development, Baylor University   
Waco, TX                
2016-2017                                       

• Supervised 2 professional staff members and 2-3 marketing interns
• Established and cultivated a strategic marketing, communications and outreach initiative for the Office of Career & Professional Development (CPD).
• Managed the department's brand through on-campus advertising, multimedia projects, graphic design, social networking on 5 individual sites, photography, videography, and events.
• Planed and created marketing campaigns and materials for 20+ annual events, 5 distinct constituent groups, 4 internal departments, and 21+ staff members.
• Led 3 search committees for new hires to the organization.

Outreach & Communications Coordinator 
Office of Career & Professional Development, Baylor University   
Waco, TX   
2013–2016

• Supervised 2-3 marketing interns
• As the first marketing professional hired by the Office of Career & Professional Development (CPD), I created robust and a strategic marketing, communications and outreach initiative for the newly created department. 
• Led and implement 132-page website redesign with successful 3rd party collaboration.

Online Marketing & Communications Coordinator 
Baylor Alumni Association    
Waco, TX                                                        
2009–2013       

• Web Producer: create, manage, update and implement all content for the organization website on a daily basis; collaborate with third-party contractors; create and design ancillary websites; instrumental in the redesign of the organization’s website; produce and present analytics reports.

• Social Media Coordinator: plan and create all content for eight social media pages; monitor and respond to hourly traffic; maintain public integrity within a political environment; administer ad campaigns; research current trends and launch new pages accordingly; produce and present analytics reports. 

• Photography Editor: serve as staff photographer for all organization events, including college football games; plan, shoot, edit, and produce photos for all publications, including the Baylor Line magazine.

• Videographer: plan, shoot, edit, and produce videos for each issue of the online Baylor Line magazine; shoot and edit video for a variety of organization and campus events.

• Publications Editor: conceptualize and coordinate all content for the monthly newsletter (Between the Lines), monthly mail-out (Baylor Line News), and weekly news feed (Line Notes).

• Communications Coordinator: create and distribute press releases, speeches, invitations and programs, graphics, and advertisements; manage and coordinate all print communications; collaborate with contractors.                                                                         

SPEAKING GIGS & PRESENTATIONS

Career Day Presenter 
Round Rock Independent School District's Early College High School (2022 & 2023)

• Each year, I'm invited to share my experience as a professional photographer and solo traveler with high school students as part of the ECHS's Career Day. My goal is always to help educate and inspire young adults on the realities of a career in photography, plus outline what it takes to plan, prepare and execute a bold jump from the normal career routine.

MC for Valentails Fundraiser 
Living Grace Canine Ranch
Georgetown, Texas (2023)

• Served as Master of Ceremonies for the annual fundraising event to support the wellness of senior canines.
• The event hosted more than 100 people and raised close to $5k.  

Guest Speaker 
​Baylor University​ Journalism Department (2017 - 2020)

• Each semester, I shared my travel story with Baylor's Intro to Photography Class and to inspire young photographers to follow their passion, plus outline what it takes to plan, prepare and execute a bold jump from the normal routine.

​Guest Speaker
Press Women of Texas (June 2019)

• Guest speaker at the 2019 Press Women of Texas annual conference. Presented two sessions: "Travel Writing Tips" and "How to Shoot Photos With a Cellphone.” Both sessions were followed by hands-on workshops for the participants.

OLDER & NOTEWORTHY

Production Manager
Various independent films                                                      Austin, TX
2004-2005
Pre-production development of crew, casting, and scheduling. On-set assistance with scene setup and organization, locations and costumes.
Please inquire about full list.      ​

Website Intern 
Texas Highways magazine                                                       Austin, TX
Summer 2008
Digitized magazine content for company website, wrote online headlines and teasers, uploaded photos, created directory archives, assisted in implementation of new TH website.         ​

Legal Assistant
Georgetown Law                                                                        Georgetown, TX
2008-2009
Assisted with client management and scheduling, office maintenance and organization, trial preparations including discovery, filing cases with the court, and jury trial courtroom presentations.

VOLUNTEER / LEADERSHIP

Volunteer Chair
Susan G. Komen Central Texas Race For the Cure
Waco, TX
2014 & 2015

• Lead and facilitate the organization of 150+ volunteers for the 2014 and 2015 Komen Race.
• Facilitate the distribution of race-day materials, T-shirts, and volunteer assignments.
• Initiate communication to committee members, potential volunteers, and local media outlets.

Résumé Reviewer
Texas Women's Conference
Austin, TX
2013, 2014 & 2015

• Provided professional résumé advice to 5-15 conference attendees at the state’s largest women’s conference, featuring nationally recognized speakers and leaders in the fields of career advancement, personal development, and entrepreneurship.

Event Chair 
Waco Stiletto Stampede for the Cure
Waco, TX                                                                 
2012 & 2013

• Pioneered the launch of an inaugural city-wide fundraising event, Waco’s 2012 Stampede for the Cure.
• Solicited, gathered, and mobilized 20+ volunteers to create 9 planning committees.
• Led and organized 35+ meetings with committee members, sponsor prospects, and Austin affiliate.
• Initiated daily and weekly correspondence to committee members, donors, and media outlets.
• Served as media spokesperson to radio, TV, and newspaper outlets.
• Spearheaded the event into a 2nd year of success, with both years receiving record-setting participation and donations.

Trade show Shift Leader and Austin Music Awards Volunteer 
SXSW Film and Music Festival
​Austin, TX
2004-2008

• Oversaw 5-12 trade show volunteers and ensured timely rotation of shifts.
• Assisted exhibitors loading into and out of 3 trade shows: Interactive, Film, and Music.
• Checked credentials at trade show entrances and utilized conflict resolution skills.
• Ensured timely communication between exhibitors and SXSW staff.
• Assisted with large crowd management and behind-the-scenes production of Music Awards.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Journalism  
Baylor University              
Waco, TX
August 2008

Bachelor of Arts in Film & Digital Media
Baylor University                                                  
Waco, TX          
December 2001

PUBLISHED WORK

Baylor Line Magazine
Waco, TX
Fall 2019

• Photograph: "Open Road" appeared as the cover of the Baylor Line Magazine in their Fall 2019 issue.

​Baylor Line Magazine
Waco, TX
2010-2013

• Photographs: Events, Profiles, Awards, Ads, Cover photo in Spring 2012 Line
• Videos: Profiles, Events, Advertisements     

​Baylor Line Magazine
Waco, TX
2010-2013

• ​Articles: “Author Mark Firmin Highlights the History of Cameron Park” May 2013 * “By Decree” Spring 2012 * “Grad At a Glance—Tyler Rose” Winter 2010 * “W.R. White Awardees Honored” Winter 2010 * Book review: “Way Back In the Country Garden” Fall 2010 
  

Texas Highways Magazine                                      
Austin, TX
July 2009

• Article: “Word Up!”                                           

HONORS & AFFILIATIONS

• ​Press Women of Texas​ (PWT) member: June 2019—current
• American Marketing Association (AMA) member: April 2015—current
• Baylor Alumni Association (BAA) life member: May 2013—current
• Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society (KTA) member: April 2008—current
• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) member: October 2013—2017

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Photoshop •  InDesign  • Illustrator • Lightroom • Final Cut Studio • Soundtrack Pro • HTML • CMS • Wordpress • Hootsuite • Mail Chimp  • AP and Chicago Style

GRADUATE RESEARCH

Master’s Thesis Project,"Reality TV Unboxed"    
Waco, TX
July 2008
Reality TV Unboxed: Exploring Process, Product & Interpretation 
​A graduate research project to discover the truth behind reality TV from the industry professionals’ and audience's perspective.

Published Research Paper, "Facebook: Uses and Gratifications"
Calgary, Canada
February 2007
“Facebook: The uses and gratifications of a new medium” 
Research findings presented at the 49th Annual Western Social Science Association.

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