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Julie Leopo

An enterprising and award-winning photojournalist in Orange County and beyond. Leopo, as Voice of OC’s Director of Photography, has captured a wide array of photographs visually documenting the news and soul of Orange County local government and community. Her work has also appeared in Vice, KCET, Ed Source, The California Endowment and OC Weekly.

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With the recent COVID-19 Pandemic it seems as if getting outside is part of our lives as never before, whether it’s cycling through Pacific Coast Highway or having lunch in a public park.

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I observed how residents interacted with their immediate surroundings and what that looks like in different areas across Orange County.

In a time of caution and restrictions, going outside really is a breath of fresh air. All photos were taken from my vehicle.

San Clemente bike path along Pacific Coast Highway on April 2, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Pines Park in Dana Pointe on April 2, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A young girl rides her skates through a Capistrano Beach neighborhood on April 2, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Park goers exercise on the sidewalks and parking lots of a park in Central Santa Ana on April 11, 2020.
Park goers on a Saturday mid-afternoon on April 12, 2020 at Jermome park in Santa Ana. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A flower street vendor waiting for customers on Easter weekend on April 12, 2020 in Santa Ana. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Cyclists on the Santa Ana Riverbed on a Saturday morning in Santa Ana. The riverbank is filled with water from recent rainfall. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A pedestrian power walks in circles through an Anaheim neighborhood on April 12, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
An adult supervises children play outside an Anaheim Apartment complex that aligns next to a busy intersection in Anaheim on April 12, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A child cyclist riding her bike along pacific Coast highway in San Juan Capistrano on April 2, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Cyclists ride their bikes along Pacific Coast Highway in San Juan Capistrano on April 2, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
A cyclist waits for the light to turn green in Anaheim, on April 12, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Townsend neighborhood on April 12, 2020. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Two young children climb the trees at Pines Park on April 2, 2020. All other Park amenities are closed. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Julie Leopo is an award-winning photojournalist. Her first photo essay was published with Voice of OC in 2015 and she has been working as a photographer with the publication ever since. Julie has freelanced...