About
Contact: Julieleopo@gmail.com
Currently located in Orange County and Ventura County in California. Available for freelance and travel assignments.
Julie Leopo is a California-based award winning photojournalist who explores culture, politics, identity, and social issues in her work. Her first assignment, given to her by her father when she was 10-years old, was to document family road trips from Santa Ana, Calif. to Mexico. This experience ignited a passion to tell stories of bicultural and bilingual communities through her photography.
Leopo’s professional background as a freelance photographer of over a decade informs her storytelling range that can capture moments of wild celebration and quiet joy, or reveal political corruption and inspire protest.
As the Director of Photography for Voice of OC since 2019, Julie continues her own professional development while managing freelance photographers in the early stages of their careers.
Leopo is grounded in the belief that photography is a powerful form of storytelling, her work centers truth, accountability, and respect for the communities she serves.
Her work has been published in Voice of OC, CalMatters, KQED, LA Times, NY Times, Vice, Ed Source, NBC News, OC Weekly, KCET, NPR and more.
CCNMA named Julie as one of “2021 California’s Most Influential Latina Journalist.”
CV
Visual Journalist
Award-winning photojournalist focused on community-centered storytelling in Southern California, with an emphasis on public art, immigration, and civic life. Her work highlights Latino and immigrant communities.
Director of Photography, Voice of OC, Orange County, Calif.
2019- Present
Established a long-term photographic record of civic life, immigration, and political engagement in Orange County
Supervise, train, and edit student photojournalists contributing to daily newsroom coverage and long-form reporting
Freelance Photographer
2015- Present
Report and photograph stories on immigration, public art, community life, protests, and local politics across Southern California
Produced photo essays and visual coverage for nonprofit, public media, and legacy news outlets
Chapman University Adjunct Professor
2021- Present
Teach foundational photojournalism, ethics, AP-style caption writing, and visual storytelling
Mentor students on portfolio development, field reporting, and newsroom workflows
Emphasize ethical decision-making in the field and representation of vulnerable communities.
Awards and Recognitions:
2025- Los Angeles Press Club- “An Original Chicano Barrio in Santa Ana Gets a New Mural and
Pocket Park”, Third place
2025- OC Press Club- “An Original Chicano Barrio in Santa Ana Gets a New Mural and
Pocket Park”, Best Photo Essay, Third Place
2024- California Newspaper Association- Photojournalism- Third Place
2024- California Newspaper Association- Photo Essay- An Original Chicano Barrio in Santa Ana Gets a New Mural and Pocket Park, Third Place
2024- OC Press Club, Best Health and Wellness Story- ‘Becoming a Civilian Again,’ Veterans Use Equine Training to Combat Mental Stress, Third Place
2024- OC Press Club, Best Feature Story, Battling to Survive Santa Ana’s Street Car, Second Place
2023- Los Angeles Press Club, KCET, “In Oxnard, Latinos by the Beach Create ‘A New Reality’”, First Place
2023- Press Photographers of Greater LA- Trans in Highschool, Third Place
2023- Press Photographers of Greater LA- Portrait Award of Excellence
2021- CCNMA Latina Journalist of the Year - Finalist
2023- California Newspapers Association, Racism is Gentrification.” Second Place
2023- California Newspapers Association, Pride and Culture: Santa Ana’s Fiestas Patrias, Fourth Place
2022- CCNMA Ruben Salazar Award,“ In Oxnard, Latinos by the Beach Create 'A New Reality” Finalist
2022- California Newspapers Association, Are Santa Ana’s Historic Murals Doomed to Fade into History, First Place
2022- Orange County Press Club- The Holidays Look Different for Families of the Incarcerated in Orange County, Third place
2020- California Newspapers Assocaition, The Long Bus Ride Home, First Place
2016- Orange County Press Club- Best Slideshow, Summer In The City: Innocence Lost and Found, First Place
Exhibitions:
2024- Reencuentros: Seeing You Again
2016 -Art Week in Berlin :Focus PhotoLA
Board Affiliations:
Press Photographers of Greater LA- 2023- 2025.
Education:
Associate's Degree in Photography
Cal State Channel Islands- Bachelor's in Chicano Studies and minor in political science- 2025- current
Press and Media Coverage
Photojournalism Students Receiving Hands-On Experience
Reporter and photographers say they were assaulted by Trump supporters at Huntington Beach rally
Panels and Talks:
2025- National High School Journalism Convention “Publishing your Photos Beyond Campus”
2025- Visiting Lecturer at Las Fotos Project
2024 Fotolandia - “The Price of Talent: Creating Equity for BIPOC Creators.”
2022- Orlando Suero Legacy Talk at Boca De Oro Festival
School presentations:
2025 “The Camera as a Tool” - Anaheim High School
2025- Visiting Lecturer on Photojournalism Sage Highschool
2025- Career Day - Jefferson Elementary
2024- Visiting Lecture on Photojournalism- Santa Ana College
2023- Visiting Lecture on Photojournalism- Segerstrom Highschool
2023- Visiting Lecturer on Photojournalism- Circulos Highschool
Judging:
2016 - 46th Congressional District Art Competition
