Julia Cumes

I’m a South African-born photographer based on Cape Cod, with a focus on storytelling, identity, and human connection. Having grown up under Apartheid, I came to understand early on the power of photography—not only to witness truth, but to evoke empathy and spark change. That understanding continues to guide my work today.

My photography explores themes ranging from migration and gender equity to climate change and wildlife conservation. Whether documenting the lives of rural health workers in East Africa, the resilience of Cape Cod’s global community, or women’s struggles and strength around the world, I aim to create images that invite viewers into deeper reflection and dialog.

Over the past two decades, my work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and many regional and national outlets. Through both editorial assignments and long-term projects, I’ve documented the lives of people and communities around the world, often exploring the intersection of culture, identity, and the natural environment. I also collaborate with nonprofits, institutions, and businesses of all sizes—bringing a narrative approach to commissioned work. IIn 2024, I was honored to be named “Artist of the Year” by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.

I hold a Master’s degree in Photojournalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and an MFA from Cornell University.

My current long-term project, Invisible Threads: Portraits and Stories of Our Global Neighbors, is a collaborative portrait series centered on members of Cape Cod’s global community who have built lives here from many different parts of the world. The project has been exhibited at the Cape Cod Museum of Art and continues to evolve through future exhibitions, educational programming, and a forthcoming book with Daylight Books. I am also a Boston University Community Impact Fellow.

Alongside my documentary practice, I lead photography workshops both locally and internationally, and I am the founder of Photo Artfolio, a curated platform that supports photographers through exhibitions, mentorship, and grant opportunities.

At its core, my work is about seeing—and helping others to see. I strive to capture the quiet, powerful moments that reveal who we are and what we long for, and to make visible the lives and stories that might otherwise remain unseen.