My love for taking pictures started at a very young age and I never even realized it. I was maybe 12 or 13, with both the wind-up plastic disposable cameras and my parent’s film cameras, forcing my siblings to “pose” for me. I can remember them getting so annoyed having to get dressed up, fix their hair, and stare at this black box I’m holding. When high school hit, I enrolled in yearbook and photojournalism classes. Back then, developing photos in the dark room was the coolest part of my day. I would sometimes even eat lunch in my photojournalism class (nerd alert). During that time, nothing changed about forcing my siblings to pose for me, except maybe they would be even more annoyed with me. Even then, I still didn’t realize how passionate I was about the world of photography– I just knew I had fun and I loved doing it. After graduating from high school, I didn’t take the traditional route most high school graduates follow. I enrolled in community college and took a few courses here and there, worked full time, and lived out on my own with a roommate. I knew a 4 year college was very important, but still didn’t know where my heart stood. During this time, I had a Nikon F55D film camera. I took it everywhere. Hanging out with friends, while working, etc. One evening while spending time with friends, I made a thoughtless move and left my camera sitting in the back seat of my car while I went out. When I came back to my car, there was no camera to be found. Of course, I was furious.  How could anyone violate your personal space and take something?? After a few days of moping about it, I shrugged it off and simply thought, “oh well”. What!!? I know…I was a kid who wasn’t responsible.  Years went by, and I was back to the same old. Working, school, having fun as a young 20 something. Photography was always in the back of my mind, but I never thought it would actually happen for me. I remember someone even asked me, “So if you could do anything right now, what would you do?” I replied, “I would love to take pictures, still”. Knowing I didn’t even have a camera, I just figured it was a lost cause.

Around the time I was engaged and planning my wedding to the man of my dreams, photography as a career kept creeping in my head more and more. I knew I wanted to get back into it, but other things took priority at the time. I finally bought my first DSLR camera at the beginning of 2011. I practiced on friends and family for quite a while.

Back in 2011 taken by my talented sister 🙂

Then, the realization! After months of practicing and taking pictures for free, I photographed my first paid engagement session on a perfect warm Texas night. On the drive home I thought to myself, “Did I really just ‘work’ doing something that I love, had an evening of having fun, and was able to help these two capture their love for one another?” From that point on, I knew I wanted photography to be my career. Capturing the love and bond between two people, freezing family memories, being able to help and working with amazing people….it makes my heart happy being able to do that.

Since then, my husband and I have traveled and moved to several locations. There have been challenging moments trying to start and build my business in new areas, not knowing where we would be next. But after learning and experiencing what I have, I know everything happens for a reason.

 

Not everyone’s photography journey will be the same. Not everyone will start at a young age, get their first camera stolen, and then pick up years later. I’m so thankful for my Mom, Dad, family, and friends, who believed in me, who encouraged me to never give up, who pushed me and lifted me up when I was down and discouraged, who told me to go after my dreams and never settle. I’m thankful for my sister who truly understands what it takes to make my dreams a reality. I’m thankful for my wonderful husband for being the shoulder to cry on when I’m frustrated at myself, him telling me I’m worth it, and that’s he’s my biggest fan. After every single session or wedding, I come home and he ALWAYS asks, “How did it go? Did you have fun? Tell me about it.” It encourages me even more knowing he’s on my side. I’m thankful for those first clients I booked and the people who put their trust in me. And yes, I remember every single one of you! From Texas to Colorado to here in Virginia and the surrounding area! I’m so incredibly thankful. I’m proud of my journey, and where I’ve come along the way. Without all of y’all, this journey would not have been possible.

Photo: Bethanne Arthur Photography