When Duty Calls: Julian Woods, from Ship to Shore by Anne Pilon, Journalism

Photos of Julian by Alexandra Pilichowski

Columbia prides itself on being a very diverse campus, with students from all different places and backgrounds. But one often-overlooked group of Columbia students is members and veterans of the U.S. Military.

Case in point: senior photography major Jullian Woods, who spent several years in the Navy before deciding to pursue his goal of becoming a studio photographer.

It wasn’t always Woods' ambition to go to an art school in Chicago. Originally from St. Louis, Woods was unsure of his future after high school which is what prompted him to join the Navy. And it ended up being his time in the Navy that got him interested in photography.

“When I was younger I used to buy those little Kodak point-and-shoot cameras, and I would just take pictures of friends at school and at parties, but I never really thought about doing that as a career,” said Woods. “Then while I was in the Navy I bought this cheap little point-and-shoot film camera so I could document all the places I went to, and I would send the pictures home to my family and to friends. Then one day when I was in Singapore I bought a textbook about photography and really started reading about it and getting into it.”

Woods spent much of his time in the Navy traveling to different countries: Russia; the Philippines; Thailand; and Vietnam, just to name a few. But he also took several college courses. Most were general education requirements, but he did take one art class that he really enjoyed.

“I got out of the Navy on June 23, 2004 – I’ll never forget that day,” said Woods. “I decided to just take it easy for a few months. I traveled a lot and went home to see my family. “

After researching his options, Woods said he decided to go to Columbia because of the quality photography program.

Now in his final semester, Woods is currently interning with studio photographer Paul Elledge and hoping to move to New York after graduation.

Though his Navy experience wasn’t always fun, he admits that it did help him get to where he is today.

“I think that veterans in general are very disciplined,” said Woods. “So when it comes to college, I know for me at least, I’m never late for class, I turn in assignments on time, I don’t really miss class, and I know there’s no room for excuses. Part of that might be age, but I think a lot of it is just that we’re very disciplined.”

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