Julia Symonds
Julia’s an international fashion model originally from Alabama, now getting after her dreams in Greece and Germany.
Facing her fears and trusting her faith, Julia let go of all she knew to pursue her biggest dreams in the fashion industry. From a young age, putting on fashion shows for her family, to now modeling internationally, Julia’s life proves what’s possible when you follow God’s lead and trust that He’s got you.
As Julia continues partnering with others to bring new projects to life, she continues pouring love and encouragement into others behind the scenes. Whether it’s a shoot across the world, or a conversation across the street, Julia’s heart for God and passion for people is felt wherever she goes.
What dream are you currently turning into reality?
At the beginning of this year, I stepped into being a full time fashion model. Through full surrender and submission to the Lord’s calling (even though it was so scary), I quit my full time marketing job to pursue this dream He put inside of me.
I found the beauty of living in full surrender again and watched Him open up doors I never expected to have the choice to step into. I am now living overseas in Greece and Germany living out this dream.
When did you first realize you discovered your dream?
This dream goes back to being a little girl, always running around with a disposable camera in my hand, and putting on fashion shows at every family event. I remember looking through fashion magazines and telling my parents, “That’s what I want to be when I grow up.” I was fascinated with these women who were creating art and conveying a story in front of a camera.
Fast forward to high school, I started pursuing this dream with one of my best friends, Rachel, who had the dream of being a fashion photographer and starting her own modeling agency. We would run around our town with a camera and thrifted clothes, and create our own fashion concept shoots.
My junior year of high school, I was scouted by an agent from LA and switched to online school to move out to LA. I thought I was living my dream, but ended up being dissatisfied with it all together. I was met with loneliness, the pressure to measure up, and the crippling darkness in the industry. My faith was shaken, because I realized my identity wasn’t in the One who made me, but in being a model. I realized I was chasing after the things of this world and trying to fill all the holes in my heart. I had not let the Lord make me whole and complete. I realized I had built my house on sinking sand and not on the truth of His word.
So, after that year, I gave up the dream. I made up my mind that there was no way I could follow Jesus and be a model. Fast forward, almost six years later, to the dream still causing tension in my heart. Over the years, the Lord shifted my perspective of what it looks like to dream with Him and for Him. He showed me He placed those gifts and passions inside of me to be a model for Him and His Kingdom.
I wrestled with this, I ran from it, but the dream and His whispers never went away. My parents and my friends called it out of me, even when I didn’t want anything to do with it because of the fear I was holding onto.
You know that same friend in high school? At the end of last year, she ended up starting the process of creating her own modeling agency, Blair Models, and encouraged me to go all in with modeling. It excited me and terrified me at the same time. But I did it. I surrendered and watched what happens when you let go of fear and control and let God do the impossible.
How does your faith go hand in hand with pursuing your dream?
I believe our dreams have to be bigger than ourselves. That way, it demands the greatness of God to be put on display, and for Him to receive all the glory. So, I think that means our dreams serve a greater purpose for His Kingdom to invade earth, and for others to be encountered by who He is.
I don’t want to dream without God, because I would be limited to only what I could do. And, I can’t do anything apart from him. I believe my dreams are to fulfill His purposes and give me purpose as His daughter. It changes everything. It’s living on mission. To be rooted in His Word and in community in order to continue growing in the dream. To enter into every situation with prayer. To be able to not miss what He is doing around me and join in with His works. To rely on His Spirit. To give me fresh direction and vision. To be filled with His love so His love flows out of me with every single person I come across.
What’s one or two practical steps you take to keep moving forward?
Look at how you’re spending your time. God never called any of us to be lazy. Yes, we have “waiting seasons,” but there is still work to be done in the waiting. If you’re waiting for your dream to come, it’s not going to come by you sitting around doing nothing.
Start activating your gifts and passions, even if it’s not the “big” thing you want to be doing. Get on your knees and start asking Him to do what only He can do, and believe He’ll do abundantly more than you could ever ask for.
Surround yourself with others who will encourage and challenge you in your faith. Don’t look left or right at another person’s path. Instead, celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God in their lives. Don’t despise the preparation season. There’s something about the ways of God when you serve someone else’s dreams before living in your own.
What encouragement would you share with someone who’s going after their dream?
One step at a time. Most of my story is looking for those “big step moments.” Don’t miss the million little steps in between - That’s where the dream is developed and refined. God wants to use you, but He cares so much more about what He’s doing inside of you. Find the beauty right where you are. You can trust His perfect timing for every step along the way.