We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful, Joy Bethany. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joy below.

Joy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Even with all of the challenges that come along with being a business owner, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I started my photography business with the dream of being able to do what I love while having the freedom and flexibility to be with the people I love. Early on, there were passing moments when I considered returning to a 9-5 for the sake of financial stability and predictability, but I knew deep down that one day, the risk would be worth the reward. There are challenges in every industry, but when I consider all that has come with my decision to become a business owner, the benefits have far outweighed the challenges every time.

PRO TIP: Chase the dream

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that, can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Photography has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl running around with my Mom’s camera, taking photos of friends, family, and my childhood pup. What started as just a hobby turned into a passion and became the career I chose in 2018.

I specialize in photographing weddings, families, and couples, but also offer portrait and maternity sessions. It’s an honor to be invited into some of the most intimate and joyful seasons of my clients’ lives. My photography is warm and primarily documentary style. It’s filled with laughter and real moments that are pieces of the story my clients are living day in and day out. I make it simple for them, keep it light, and focus on those precious in-between candid moments that naturally occur. Those are my favorite!

Whether it be the overwhelming joy of getting engaged, their dream wedding at their dream venue, the after party where they dance the night away, the immense love that is felt when bringing their newborn home, or that moment when they realize that time is flying by and their babies aren’t so little anymore… capturing the love, joy, and laughter shared between couples and families is a dream come true for me. Creating keepsakes for the generations to come remains an honor, and seeing many clients become dear friends of mine is the cherry on top.

I often hear my clients say that I am rightly named, and brought joy to their special day. I absolutely light up on a wedding day and at sessions. I never want to be a photographer who shows up and just takes photos. I value the beauty of knowing the story behind the photos and connecting with my clients before they even get in front of my camera. As a visual storyteller, my desire is to create images that capture my clients in an authentic, beautiful, and personal way. I genuinely care to know what makes them, them.

Looking back over the last five years, I am proud of how much my business has grown and all that I’ve learned. When I first started out, I had no idea how to run a business… I was just a girl that believed she could spend her days doing what she loved, and I was going to give it everything I had. Most days out of the year, I wake up thinking I have the greatest job, and on every day of the year, I wake up grateful that I never stopped showing up and putting in the work to get here. Apart from God, I’ve been blessed with an amazing community of friends and family who have encouraged me along the way and reminded me why I started.

PRO TIP: Be grateful

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

What started as my desire to build a business around something I love, evolved into my becoming a visual storyteller, finding the beauty and capturing meaningful moments for my clients through an unforgettable experience. Every time I’m with a client, my goal is for them to see in themselves and their life story what I see from behind the lens – the way his jokes make her throw her head back in laughter, the safety those little ones feel in their parents’ arms, the tears in Grandma’s eyes as she watches her grandbaby say, “I do,” or the way that couple feels at home when they cuddle up during their session. I’m on a mission to remind my clients that those sweet in-between moments are the gold in their lives, and worthy of being captured and cherished for a lifetime.

PRO TIP: Capture the gold

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

FACT: Starting a business is not for the faint of heart.

For me, resiliency looks like me showing up on the days I’m feeling most discouraged and defeated. When business is slow, when I don’t hear back from that dream client, or when I’m tired of wearing all the entrepreneur hats… those can be some of the hardest days. That being said, with a new day comes new opportunities, and if I don’t show up, it affects my clients, my team, and myself in the long run. Emails have to be answered, contracts need to be signed, photos need to be edited and galleries need to be delivered to clients. I have come to learn that if I don’t create the structure in my schedule and have the discipline to follow through, no one else will do it for me.

To all my fellow business owners, if you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or defeated… Ask yourself how you can show up TODAY. Clear out that inbox queue, update your website, make some cold calls, reach out to that dream client again, or simply ask yourself, your friends, and your family to remind you why you started. Being a business owner isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it! I’m always here and open to expanding my network, so please feel free to reach out!

PRO TIP: Show up

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joybethany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.bethany
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joybethanyphotography
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joybethanyphotography

Image Credits
Joy Bethany Photography @joy.bethany
Joy’s Portrait – Hannah Balta Photography