Real human connection has always been my absolute favorite thing to photograph. When I look at my work from the very beginning, I can still see my voice was there all along. That has always been my hearts cry in this art form. The human element. Not incredible locations or stunning wardrobes, although those are always nice and inspiring, but when it all boils down, those things are always second fiddle to me. I want the heart response to my images, the twist of the gut, the lump in the throat. The ones that make you close your eyes as they fill up and you remember your season just as it was. That is why I absolutely feel that my sessions are a co-creation with my clients. They may not even know that, but they are. Yes, I have a vision for certain elements but the connections are not my own nor are they my doing. Instead they are simply the product of my observation, and that is and has always been my most powerful tool.
This family always makes me think about these elements. My growth, my voice, the things I see. Because they started with me from the very beginning. And while my style has evolved over the years, my voice has always been to tell the beauty of their story, not my own and that makes me feel all the feels. I hope you guys love these as much as I do.
Also, I wanted to take a minute to share that I’m co-hosting The Rise Retreat again this year with my friends Sara Garcia and Nicole Dina. These two women are not only incredibly talented and experienced artists in our industry but they’re also super gifted at teaching others about the art of family photography. This year we’re joining together in the mountains of Asheville, NC to share all of our love for photographing families in an intimate setting on a private estate with 12 other attendees. The three of us have felt the vital importance of community within our industry and we cannot wait to experience this years retreat with our attendees. If you are wanting more information about registration you can do that here. We’d love to have you!
Bethany
PS. For my photography friends these were all shot on Portra 400 or Kodak TriX400 film
