We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bethany Blanton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bethany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
L E G A C Y That is such a loaded word. To think about what aspect of your life will be remembered most after you leave this Earth…. that’s quite a task! However, it’s actually something I have thought of, at length.
The most likely thing that you will remember about someone when they’re gone is the way they made you feel.
I sincerely hope that I am remembered for making people feel joy. In my personal and professional life, I strive to inspire joy, happiness and comfort in those I come in contact with. Giving people the space to be themselves without worrying about judgement or criticism is so important. As a girl mom, photographer, daughter and friend – I have ample opportunities to do this and I hope to do it well.
Bethany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My photography career began as a hobby, like with most others in this industry. I always carried a disposable camera with me, until I discovered digital. That was the beginning of the end…
Being unique in a creative industry is fairly simple because as an “artist” you automatically do something differently than the others you stand alongsude of. For me, I feel like my personality helps me to make people comfortable in front of the camera, when they might otherwise be nervous or awkward. When someone feels like they can be themselves, that’s when you generate the best possible imagery.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Comparison!!!
This is a difficult time to exist in. Methods of comparison are everywhere. We have a consistent feed of other people, in our faces, living their lives and sharing their highlight reels with us. It’s almost impossible not to look at their posts and use their lives to measure the success of our own.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of mouth, in any form, has been huge for the growth of my business.
When you create happy customers who are more than willing to share your business, without bribery (lol) and that is what people pay attention to. If they see a co-worker or former classmate share about your business on social media, they look you up and consider using your services as well. Positive feedback in the form of client reviews is imperative to forward motion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bethanymayphoto.com
- Instagram: @bethanymaybranding
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandPhotographerBethany
- Linkedin: @bethany-may-photo
Image Credits
Lee Anne with Petal & Vine Photography (for my personal headshots)