I can say with full confidence that Zoë is my first client who had flaming nails, and glasses and completely repped Meg Thee Stallion and her newly earned degree status with equal pride.
When I saw the bedazzled grad cap I knew that this would not be the typical session. What I love about what I do is that for a few hours during a session I get a window into everyone’s personality and Zoë is not just focused and determined, a great planner and considerate, but she is FUN! We took these shots in the full evening sun and got so many cute pics I couldn’t pick! The wind was helping fan the #hotgirl flames for sure lol. We finished the session with a champagne celebration and a sigh of relief because we were both nervous about the pop being just right. I woke up a few days later, snuck out of bed (trying not to wake Sanai), and sat at my computer editing because I was SO excited to get these into Zoë’s hands! I sent them off excited for the reply that I live for each time I deliver a session. “I love these!” What touched me the most is that Zoë and I actually went to high school together. She was the captain of my softball team! It meant everything to get a chance to catch up and trade college stories between me saying “hold that pose!” Congrats, Zoë I hope you enjoy this season and wish you the best for all that is to come! Check below for my favorite moments!
Share your graduation story with me by commenting below or emailing photographerbethany@gmail.com also DM me on FB and IG @BethanyJPhotography!
Finding the Joy
Welcome to my blog. I talk about choosing joy, to me, that means believing God is good and there is hope in the face of difficulty. I also talk about my goals and challenges. I believe in perseverance, grit, dreaming big, and choosing to challenge yourself to be better than yesterday.
What does it mean to be a part of the #JoyJourney?
It means to choose JOY in the good and bad!
It means we focus on our goals!
It means we challenge ourselves to do better!
Wanna share your story? Join the #joyjourney in my FB group here! We encourage each other to accomplish more and meet up once a month for a nature walk!
Somewhere in the fast paced rollercoaster I call my life I began to define who I am by my struggles and accomplishments. What I did or didn’t do became an anchor for safety when change rolled through my life and I needed familiarity. I always had an answer for what I was doing. Usually the answer was building my business! Making something new! Notice I didn’t say I always knew what I was doing because I definitely didn’t. I started checking off the list of accomplishments that I believed defined my future.
Go to art school for photography
Find a day job to expand your skills
Get Married
Move into your first apartment
Each check gave me a sense of belonging and identity. A huge YES you are on the right track. That feeling was great but very temporary. Each time a new change came and I struggled to keep up, the worries got bigger. The anxiety creeped in and when life didn’t go as planned I felt further from who I had always seen myself as. I thought of myself as the artist! The hard worker! What was I supposed to do when I lost passion for that because balancing it all felt impossible? Who was I if I stopped?
When I got in to art school I realized competition was tough! I didn’t really fit in. (I mean I never really fit in anywhere) My first job was tough. I felt completely overwhelmed and frustrated in a path that I believed was for me ( It wasn’t) Planning a wedding was a whirlwind and being thrown into learning about rent and insurance made me feel like a little girl in her moms shoes playing adult. As a kid I thought the plans I made would be fun and adventurous but life felt overwhelming. I was ready to give up on my dreams of owning a successful business, having a home life with my family, and sharing my love for photography with others. I’m proud of what I did but I didn’t fully enjoy it. I was looking for the other shoe to drop. Holding my breath because I felt like I was the key to holding it all together and couldn’t rest or else it would fallapart.
Eventually through a long series of events I learned that I was dealing with anxiety and adhd. My world flipped upside down. The intrusive thoughts and overwhelming feelings made sense. I suddenly looked at my life with a new lens. How much of my life was impacted by adhd? I could think of the projects I started and stopped. The people I struggled to keep up with. The exhaustion from trying to plan to be on time and constantly failing. Even my focus on accomplishments was because I struggled with staying focused and wanted to overcompensate. I wondered how much of the “me” I had defined was “symptoms” of adhd.
Some days I felt as if I would never be able to “escape” the symptoms. I might have had a meltdown or two. Was my entire life gonna be trying to win against a brain that had a mind of its own? Many of you can relate to those epiphanies you have about your childhood. It’s like taking the red pill and learning everything wasn’t how you perceived it. I think in the middle of this revelation I lost sight of the fact that not EVERYTHING about me is due to adhd or anxiety. In this journey to being healthy I have had to confront and work hard to start addressing how I have functioned for years. I’m sure I will be doing that every day. What I want to remind myself is that Bethany is more than a checklist of accomplishments and she is more than a checklist of symptoms. You are more than what you produce and more than what you experience.
I have come to a place where I’m learning the “me” a part from the hang ups. Some things about me are not from anxiety or adhd. Some things are just Bethany things. These are things that have always been a part of my life and will always be a part of my life. Like I have always liked technology. I used to take a part computers and learn programs like photoshop for fun! I’m a firm believer that a good app can solve all problems! I love nature-A walk on a sunny day is as good as a cup of coffee. If I can make anything at home just for fun I will, this has resulted in me DIYing quite a few things. Doing my hair is therapeutic even if my creations go a bit sideways sometimes. I like dry humor ( The Office) and cheesy shows like Chicago Fire 🔥. I love photography because the technical side is interesting and the people I get to meet are awesome. I love a deep conversation and love listening to someone who is passionate about what they are interested in. I am still learning about how anxiety may have impacted the way I made friends but I am deciding not to let the sum total of who I am be a diagnosis. I have no shame admitting that as a human being I deal with all kinds of problems but I am still me. It took a long time to learn about ways my brain functions and what effects that had on my life. I’m so happy to put a name to the experiences I’ve had and to also identify that many things about me are just “Bethany things.”
Why share this story? Because I want to encourage you to stop and breathe and just be. You have value because you are one of a kind. You don’t have intrinsic value because of what you do. You don’t lose value because of what you go through. While you are out there trying to catch your dream or build a legacy keep those things that make you, you in mind. You can’t pour from an empty cup knowing what refreshes and brings joy to you will keep you going when life brings all the new changes your way. This is for all my hustle culture entrepreneur bosses! Make some room for Joy!
What makes you YOU? With all of your perceived imperfections what is a you thing that is important to embrace?
Finding the Joy
Welcome to my blog. I talk about choosing joy, to me, that means believing God is good and there is hope in the face of difficulty. I also talk about my goals and challenges. I believe in perseverance, grit, dreaming big, and choosing to challenge yourself to be better than yesterday.
What does it mean to be a part of the #JoyJourney?
It means to choose JOY in the good and bad!
It means we focus on our goals!
It means we challenge ourselves to do better!
Wanna share your story? Join the #joyjourney in my FB group here! We encourage each other to accomplish more and meet up once a month for a nature walk!
If you have become a remote worker then this is the blog post for you. Usually I photograph families and events but all of my families are full of hardworking people who are juggling many roles everyday working from home and parenting. With zoom being more important than ever and Linked In being the new way to connect or job search a great headshot is one of the many tools used to put your best foot forward!
As a photographer I answer the question “Should my photos be Professional or Casual?” with one word. Yes! Both! 2020 dramatically shifted expectations of the work place. If you went to work in your PJs and a dressy top then you know the drill. Now there’s more room for personality to be expressed and that is great! Now even with more casual environments there are still some good practices to maintain when updating your portrait. Whether you hire a professional or make your own studio at home. Here are 5 ways you can balance a professional presence with your casual, creative and fun personality. This applies to your business, Tik Tok, and Instagram too!
Good Light
Lighting is everything! A professional headshot demonstrates care for quality. The same way you take care in presentation of yourself reflects how people believe you will care for their business. The best way to add great lighting is with outdoor light near a window. I will never stop shouting about how great window light is! I would avoid direct sunlight as that will make you squint and create harsh shadows but facing a window is a great start! If you wanna go pro, breakout a white foam board or aluminum foil to add some full light by having a friend angle sun indirectly onto you.
Self portrait using the sun shot on my IPhone. was going for of a model vibe here but you get the point sunlight rules!
Taken in a living room with window light!
Eye Height – Open Posture
In our attempt to look professional we can sometimes over compensate and look stiff and closed off. I see this the most in the crossed arm pose or the hands in pockets pose. No hate if you prefer to pose that way but if you wanna create a posture of friendliness try a few of the poses below. If you don’t like how you look in photos try having the camera be at eye height. Selfies taken from above tend to give the viewer a birds eye view. We associate this with child likeness and innocence. From below the viewer has a worms eye view. They look “up” to you it communicates dominance and power. At eye level you are viewed as an equal. Think of photographing yourself at eye height as being the equivalent of looking someone in the eye when you give them a handshake.
Photography by Bethany J. Photography featured on https://diversityandinclusioncoach.com/podcast/
Photograph by Bethany J. Photography for http://www.drdeanlab.com/
Smile or No Smile
Depending on your professional taste or position smiling is up to you. If you do smile, make it a big one! Give your best smile, the one that, makes your eyes light up and wrinkle. I am telling you whenever people attempt a “perfect” smile usually it looks more like you are gritting your teeth. I know it’s not easy to take your picture when you see all your perceived imperfections but what I see is a genuine person with a welcoming face. A bright smile is far more inviting than a perfect model face.
Photography by Bethany J. Photography for https://landmarkhomes.us/
Backdrop
This one is not anything fancy but it’s a good refresher. Check your background. A background busy with anything you don’t want to stand out is important. This could mean not using your cool Florida vacation pic as the background. It could also mean not showcasing your laundry. It’s not that we haven’t all been there, but let’s let YOU be the only focus.
Creative Twist
Make your portrait your own with a creative twist! Create a single tone palette to create a colorful eye catching pop. Try dramatic lighting or a really close crop of your face. Build a background that features what you are good at. Show it to a couple of friends to see what they think about your skills!
Photography by Bethany J. Photography for @AdakuInspires
Photograph by Bethany J. Photography for http://www.drdeanlab.com/
If you are not the DIY type then message me I am happy to collaborate with you on a headshot that showcases you. If you do try these tips send me a message below I would love to see the creativity!
Welcome to my first client spotlight! I want to share all of the celebrations I photograph. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking pictures of Jasmine’s 16th birthday. Special thanks to Selena and Ryder. Selena and I go back to middle school and last year I photographed her wedding which you can see here. Seriously this was the epitome of sweet sixteen gone spooky, check out some of my favorite details here.
The Look
First Jasmine had the perfect look. I loved the nails in addition to the black ball gown and crown. Scroll to the end to see the amazing gown and full look.
The Decor
From the door to the tables and the photo booth, the horror-themed decor was on point. The photo booth was a favorite. The cake looks terrifying but tastes awesome! I think it was snickerdoodle? I kept forgetting the giant Jason was fake and kept startling myself lol.
Dancing
Everyone got out on the dance floor. I loved seeing the kids and grandparents dance!
Family and Friend Love!
Witnessing this supportive friend and family tribe celebrate Jasmine really touched me. I could see the love this family has in the care they took in making everything just right, in the laughter and toasts! I enjoyed watching Selena be the big sister fixing her crown and Mom and Dad making sure everything was set up and organized. Jasmine took time to show her love back to her friends, grandparents, and family. I saw so many little kids run up and hug her or grab her hand. The room looked scary but the love was not (lol too cheesy?) There are so many more pictures I didn’t add but I hope you got a taste of what this night was like, Happy Birthday Jasmine I hope you enjoyed your celebration and I wish you the best year to come!
See you next week! Also, join the #joyjourney with our first nature walk on April 24th!
Welcome to my blog. I talk about choosing joy, to me, that means believing God is good and there is hope in the face of difficulty. I also talk about my goals and challenges. I believe in perseverance, grit, dreaming big, and choosing to challenge yourself to be better than yesterday.
What does it mean to be a part of the #JoyJourney?
It means to choose JOY in the good and bad!
It means we focus on our goals!
It means we challenge ourselves to do better!
Wanna share your story? Join the #joyjourney in my FB group here! We encourage each other to accomplish more and meet up once a month for a nature walk!
10 Tips for Authentic Pro-Quality Photos of Your Kids
Tested in real life to help save your sanity!
We hear all too often that our kids grow up too fast! It is true and that is why I don’t judge you for wanting five million pictures of your kids ( No matter the age!) However, I am sure you know that what may be started as a cute idea can turn into a nightmare when kids are… well…kids! They want to roll, mess their clothes up, frown, and make silly faces, and you just want ONE nice picture to prove things aren’t nearly as crazy as they seem! That is where I enter. I have been photographing kids for 7 years. From school kids to teens and I have learned some things about getting photos that not only look good but capture the personality and growth of your children. To me, the purpose of photography is to remember. To enjoy what life has for today because tomorrow always brings change. Hopefully, you find these pro tips helpful and learn to enjoy capturing memories of your kids!
1. Change Your Expectations
Was my 6 month old gonna sit longer than three seconds for a picture? No. The world is way too interesting to sit and not investigate! When you take pictures of your kids, lower the goal. A three-year-old may sit still but might struggle to look at the camera. Meet the kid where they are at. For example, I like to get my phone or camera out before even mentioning I want a picture. I usually snap before trying to get their attention to see if I want a better background or lighting. I focus more on taking as many pics as possible after making the kid laugh rather than waiting for them to give me a great smile. I usually can get ONE shot of them smiling. If they are running I have them run at me. If they want to play I have the parent engage and snap while he is having fun. The goal is to keep them happy long enough to get a good shot. Sitting perfectly still while posing is the opposite of fun and nothing ruins a picture like a grumpy-faced kid who is genuinely not enjoying himself!
2. DON’T SAY CHEESE
Here is a pro tip. Don’t have your kid say “CHEESE!” This results in the kid looking terrified! The best smile is a real smile and having them yell something silly works better. A tip I picked up from my friend Rebekah who is a rock star with kids, is to have them call you a silly name. It goes something like this. “Hey, Sarah say “Cookies!” when she enthusiastically says ” Cookies!” Make a funny face and say “HEY, did you call me a COOKIE!?” Usually, the kid laughs and says no or continues to call you a cookie the whole day. Meanwhile, start taking pics like crazy those giggles are priceless! For really little kids you can pretend they are invisible and ask where they are. I promise they think you are a goofball for it, but it works! I have had many a 3-year-old laugh when I pretended they disappeared!
3. Let Them Play
Another way to get smiles is to involve play. Try challenging them to do a handstand or climb a fence. These pics are cute and fun for your child. Even in a studio wooden blocks are neutral but a great way to keep little hands busy. Blowing bubbles or even taking pictures of their siblings are all fun ways to get smiles going.
4. Get down on their level.
One of the most important keys to really catching authentic portraits is to get eye level with the kids. We don’t usually look at kids on their level. When you do you just see more into their personality. It is a great way to reconnect. You would be amazed at how much a face changes when you shoot at eye level instead of looking down. Use the moment to encourage your kid and remind them they are seen and they matter.
5. Don’t Force It.
Kids experience many emotions and it’s not ever at a convenient time. I cannot count the number of times kids have decided that this photo session was the moment to start crying. I can also not count the number of subconscious adults who have refused to pose for the camera because they aren’t in the mood. Long story short- it is an everyone problem. Forcing a child or teen who doesn’t want to take a photo rarely works out in the end. They usually look upset and sad, the opposite of how we want photos to look. Sometimes offering to take a picture with the child helps. Maybe they want a toy or need a break. Photos can wait, offer what they need at the moment. I have sometimes been able to reengage kids for photos by having them hug or kiss mom or dad. Other times I sit and play and have them show me what they are doing. I also try involving the kids by having them pose how they want to. With teenagers, they may feel subconscious about their looks or what other people may think. Allowing them to be in control of their look and pose is helpful. Sometimes they may be ok with a further back pose or partially covering that pimple with a strategic hand! You know your kid best, if you want authenticity then you have to make room for the very real moments that kids have. If you force your kid to smile or pose the picture will show it, you can’t fake genuine smiles!
6. Take Selfies Together
Mom’s this is for you! Often times we like to take photos but refuse to be IN the photos. Maybe you haven’t met your weight loss goal or hate your hair. Maybe you are like me and have dark circles under your eyes because you were up at 4 am with a very hungry baby. I get it because I go through it. Hear me out. Your kids copy you. They notice when you try and hide because there is something you are insecure about. For the sake of your memories, your kids and your spouse take pictures with your kids anyway! Not only will you appreciate these fleeting moments years later but you are telling yourself you are worth more. Your value is not in looking like the perfect mom. Your value is not in your weight. You are worthy to be seen, without you those kids wouldn’t be. Be involved and you will find your own kids learning that they don’t have to be perfect to make memories. You also will get your kids used to having fun on camera, it is a win all around!
7. Get Close
If you are feeling adventurous and want truly artistic photos of your kids change up the distance you take pictures from. Get right up in that face or focus just on the toes. All those details that you love make great collages over the years. For babies, I always love the hands, feet, and face. Not gonna lie capturing those details is easier said than done.
8. Think Neutral
I am a Zillenial mom lol. That means I love my IG-worthy photos and neutrals. While yes it is a trend right now there is good logic to incorporating neutral colors and backgrounds into your photos. As a photographer, I choose neutrals because they are timeless. Black, white, beige, and other natural colors are kind to multiple skin tones and elevate the design of an image. Additionally, neutral colors help to keep the focus where it belongs, on the facial expressions of your kiddos. Of course, this is completely subjective to your taste but it may help if you want to build collections of images across time.
9. Lighting
As a photographer, I spend a lot of time thinking about lighting. I am in fact a light (photo) writer (grapher.) Even without a fancy camera knowing a little about lighting makes that average selfie look amazing! During the day try and photograph your kids facing or standing sideways to a window. Light is flattering and diffused and soft. If you are outdoors and it’s super sunny try to find shade. The harsh shadows usually just make us squint. At night play with a single source and solid background like a lamp or light from a doorway.
10. Be the Observer
I know, I know I just said to get involved! Take selfies! I just want to add another technique to your arsenal. I have watched a lot of parents fuss over kids and siblings to get them to take the perfect photo. This sort of works but I think that sibling and family dynamics are unique and sometimes you can catch them if you watch. I see this a lot in older siblings reaching out to fix their little sister’s hair. Sometimes sitting back and observing the way your kids are can create some great moments that you will cherish forever. Maybe you catch your kids hanging upside down or building a tent let that be the backdrop! Kids are creative, lean into seeing who they are and you will see that reflected in their photos.
Those are my top tips for taking authentic family photos of your kids with a little bit of a professional edge. Have you heard of these tips before? Have others to add? I would love to know! I truly love what I do. I enjoy watching kids just be their chaotic selves. It’s easy to forget what being carefree felt like and I hope while you are taking all those photos you are getting involved. At the end of the day, it is about making memories of our families. After all, they really do grow up so fast!
This year for valentine’s day I wanted to focus on some of the awesome couples I have worked with for years! They are more than “clients” they are impactful to their community and to me. I decided to give them “awards!” as Bethany J. Photography Couples.
Before I get to the couples Happy Valentine’s day from Jamal and myself! We hope you enjoy celebrating with your boo thing! Also, we want to encourage everyone who is enjoying singleness too. You are loved and valued. I appreciate the many friends and family who have encouraged and walked with us over the years encouraging our marriage and parenthood journey!
CherCish Each Moment
Nikki and Gabe have the hands-down best Christmas PJ’s ever. For this reason, I have dubbed them the “Cuddliest Couple” They are always a joy to be around and such a wonderful family. Fun fact! I went to high school with Gabes younger brother. What a small world! I am thankful for their continued support and welcoming spirit!
Cherish Each Moment
For the “Most Adventurous Couple” I give you Julie and Kris. A photoshoot with Julie and Kris is always an adventure! Whether we are climbing rocks or posing in the street these lovebirds always make time for fun photos. I love their passion and commitment to family, church, and community! Thank you for your dedication and example of love!
Cherish Each Moment
From acting to teaching and more this couple is timeless winning from me the ” Classiest Couple Award!” Dana and Andy have been such an example long before I was married. I appreciate their unity and knowledge, you always learn something in every conversation! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and faith through life with me!
Cherish Each Moment
So my friend here from 7th grade definitely gets the “Cutest Couple Award” because their story is the best! I remember them meeting in my Senior year of high school. They are both so considerate and caring for each other, I love it! Thank you for including me in your big day! I really enjoyed celebrating with you.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you have fun and share your story. Check out more of my wedding and couple photography here.
