The conversation between Tim Bingham and Julie Hrudová offered a fascinating insight into her distinctive approach to photography, creative storytelling, and the long-term projects that have defined her career. Throughout the discussion, Julie revealed how curiosity, careful observation, and a sense of humour lie at the heart of her work, whether she is producing commissioned assignments or pursuing deeply personal documentary projects.
A significant part of the conversation focused on her ongoing commission for Amsterdam's leading newspaper, Het Parool, where she creates a full-page vertical street photograph every week. Rather than viewing creative limitations as restrictive, Julie explained that they often become the catalyst for stronger work. Working within clearly defined parameters—whether shooting exclusively in a vertical format, using black and white, or concentrating on a specific neighbourhood—encourages her to look more closely at familiar surroundings and discover photographs that might otherwise be overlooked. For Julie, constraints provide focus, consistency, and a framework that nurtures creativity rather than suppressing it.
Julie reflected on the two major photographic series she has created for Het Parool. The first documented Amsterdam during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing a city that had suddenly become quiet, empty, and unfamiliar. Photographing these transformed streets presented both creative and emotional challenges, forcing her to find visual stories in an environment stripped of its usual energy. Her current project explores Amsterdam after dark, where artificial light, shadows, and reflections reshape ordinary streets into cinematic, atmospheric scenes. She described how the city's diverse neighbourhoods, cultures, and vibrant public spaces ensure there is always another story waiting to be discovered.
One of Julie's most celebrated personal projects centres on Amsterdam's urban herons. What began as an observation of birds living within the city evolved into a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between wildlife and the people who unknowingly—or intentionally—support them. By documenting these subtle interactions, Julie reveals how nature adapts to urban life and how humans and animals quietly coexist in shared spaces. The project struck a chord with audiences because it encouraged people to see their own city from an entirely new perspective, uncovering moments of wonder hidden within everyday routines.
Drawing on her experience as both a photographer and a photo editor, Julie discussed how an understanding of the editorial process can help photographers present and pitch stories more effectively. She explained that the responsibilities of photo editors have changed considerably in recent years, with increasing emphasis on avoiding stereotypes and creating more balanced visual representation. At the same time, she expressed concern that the rapid pace of social media has encouraged many news organisations to prioritise speed over depth, making carefully researched documentary photography more valuable than ever.
The conversation also provided practical advice for photographers looking to develop stronger bodies of work. Julie believes many photographers weaken their projects through poor editing, weak framing, or by including too many images that communicate the same idea. She emphasised that effective editing often requires removing favourite photographs if they fail to strengthen the overall narrative. Her advice was simple but compelling: discover the subjects that genuinely excite you, commit to them over time, remain curious, and allow enjoyment to remain at the centre of the creative process.
Julie also spoke about expanding her storytelling through video. Alongside her photography, she now produces engaging reels documenting Amsterdam's unique cycling culture and creates YouTube videos that offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, often filmed with her Fujifilm X-T4. Rather than viewing video as a replacement for still photography, she sees it as another powerful medium through which ideas, experiences, and stories can be shared with a wider audience.
Throughout the conversation, Julie returned repeatedly to one simple but profound belief: photography enriches everyday life. Carrying a camera encourages closer observation, reveals humour and beauty in ordinary moments, and transforms even the most familiar routines into opportunities for discovery. For Julie Hrudová, photography is far more than the act of making pictures—it is a way of paying attention, remaining curious, and finding extraordinary moments hidden within the ordinary world.
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