Over the past few weeks, Wayne Herald sports photographer correspondents have been featured and closing out with a third article is an individual you may see standing on a cooler with a camera or not.
That's Julie Gubbels Thompson, a hard worker and dedicated to her craft of sports photography while also being in a lot of places at once.
These next several paragraphs just gives a brief look on the background of Julie Gubbels Thompson and that you can find her at multiple locations on any given weekend with a camera in hand.
Julie has always enjoyed taking photos but it really was enhanced once her children began playing sports.
"First it was for family who was not there, then the kids asked to see them, their friends wanted pictures of them playing, the parents began enjoying them and here we are today," said Gubbels Thompson. "I believe my knowledge of sports helps me be able to capture good shots because I have an idea of where the plays are going or I have an idea of what I am wanting to capture."
It's all about the atmosphere for Julie.
"You can feel the competition when you get to be close to the team during a time out, near the stands when the tension is high, the overall feel of the stadium when taking pictures from afar or just the simplicity of a child happy to get the candy they really came for," said Gubbels Thompson. "Every aspect makes me smile and brings happiness for different reasons. I also really like going to different schools and sports, the variety of what can be packed into a day is a lot of fun."
A life-long Nebraskan, Julie grew up on a farm outside Bow Valley and attended Wynot. She then graduated from both Northeast Community College and Wayne State College while her children have grown up in Wayne where she currently resides.
"When you are in a small town, everyone has to wear multiple hats and it's great to be able to see people's multiple talents and passions," said Gubbels Thompson. "How awesome is it that you don't have to be put in just one box? But you can do what you are good at, what you love, what fills your bucket and what you have to do, but it 'puts food on the table'. And they are all done in one day, because those are the hats you wear. You are not just seen as one thing, but more of you is seen and celebrated."
Julie Gubbels Thompson has been a correspondent at the Wayne Herald for about two years and serves as a Services Coordinator at the League of Human Dignity.
Baseball and softball have always played an important role in her life
"We have planned family vacations around different MLB games," said Gubbels Thompson. "I even had a 'destination' wedding because the date I wanted to get married on was during a softball tournament in Missouri so we got married, had tailgating meal and off to the games."
Her goals in sports photography include being able to get better education or experience with how to make her photos more professional along with learning better angles and editing, not just good timing.
When asked if she had anything else to add, she stated, 'know your worth.'
A heart-felt 'thank you' goes out to Payton Junck, Jessica Recob and Julie Gubbels Thompson for their hard work and dedication to provide sports photography along with everyone at the Wayne Herald for the work they have accomplished and are still achieving.
Be on the lookout for additional photos throughout the winter and spring sports seasons by these three individuals and more at the Wayne Herald.
