The beauty others don’t see

Julie Bronson has always been intrigued by things that other people might overlook.

Bronson is a local photographer who likes to capture abandoned houses and barns, nature, cars and sunsets and sunrises. She also works in the heavy parts department at Dave Syverson, and she has been there for 12 1/2 years.

While many people notice sunsets and sunrises, for example, Bronson said people don’t normally pay attention to abandoned buildings. However, they are something she said she finds beauty in.

Bronson grew up near Twin Lakes before moving to Mesa, Arizona, where she graduated from high school. She met her husband, Doug Bronson, in Arizona and moved back to the area with him in 1980.

Her first foray with photography was as a child. Bronson had a camera that used 126 film in grade school, and she took a photography class in high school. However, she wasn’t serious about photography until eight or nine years ago.

Bronson’s friend told her about Flickr, so she posted a few of her photos on the website. After receiving positive comments from other users, she decided to continue taking photos. That’s when she started seeking out abandoned farms to photograph.

One thing Bronson is very appreciative of is digital photography. She said she always disliked waiting for her photos to be developed, so when digital cameras came out she quickly jumped on the new technology.

Bronson said other photographers inspire her to become better in her art.

“Seeing the work of others and having people appreciate my work makes me want to go out and try new things and learn more,” she said.

Photography has allowed Bronson to take part in a few different shows. Her first show was at the Art Underground, which was in the basement of the Bessessen Building. She also had a solo show at the Owatonna Art Center and the Clear Lake Art Center.

Bronson also got a grant from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to do a project for the Healing Arts program at the Owatonna Hospital. Her photos were there for four months. Now those photos are hanging at the Fairbault Hospital for a similar program, and will be there until the end of January.

Other than photography, Bronson writes. She has three self-published books which mostly feature her photography but also some of her writing.

Her books — “Vanishing Beauty on the Backroads,” “Vanishing Barns on the Backroads” and “Vanishing Beauty and Lingering Spirits” — are available at Addie’s Floral & Gifts, Prairie Wind Coffee, Midwest Antiques, the Top of Iowa Welcome Center and Amazon.

Bronson is also a member of the Freeborn County Arts Initiative. She lives 10 miles south of Albert Lea with her husband and their dog, Eddie.