We were lucky to catch up with Penprapa Berry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Penprapa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on has been offering Pay-What-You-Can sessions during the fall and Christmas seasons. I started them because I wanted families to have beautiful photos without worrying about cost, especially during times of year when budgets can be tight.

Some families paid a little, some paid more, but every session felt full of gratitude and genuine connection. Many told me they hadn’t had photos taken in years, and being able to give them something special meant so much to me.

These sessions reminded me that photography isn’t just about pictures—it’s about people, stories, and making sure everyone feels welcome. Even though the project was simple, it became one of the most meaningful parts of my work.

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 back background and context?

My name is Penprapa Berry, which in Thai means the shining light from the full moon — a blessing and a grace. I’ve carried that meaning with me throughout my life, and in many ways, it reflects the heart of my photography: finding light in dark seasons and creating something beautiful from it.

I grew up in a big family in Thailand with very few photos, so I’ve always understood the true value of preserving memories.

I didn’t start photography until my early 40s, during one of the hardest chapters of my life. It was the middle of the COVID lockdown, I was struggling with depression, and my mother had suffered multiple severe strokes across the world in Thailand. I couldn’t be with her. When she passed away on my 41st birthday, I felt completely broken.
I needed something to focus on — something to bring light back into my life. Without any background in photography, I bought a Nikon D5600 kit. I only knew the shutter button and Auto mode. Money was tight, and at first I regretted buying it, so the camera sat on a shelf for months.
But one day, I looked at that camera and asked myself:
“Why did I take this first step? I can either keep going… or stop moving.”
I chose to keep going.

I’ve learned that new beginnings don’t have an age limit. When something is meant for you, the passion inside you will keep nudging you forward until you finally step into it.

I studied online, took classes, watched tutorials, joined photography groups, felt inspired, felt discouraged, and learned everything through practice and mistakes. What began as one tiny step eventually became my passion — and now I’m fortunate to serve families all across Northwest Arkansas.

I’m also incredibly grateful for my son and my husband. My son was one of my very first models when I was learning, and he helped me practice in those early days. My husband has supported every idea I’ve had and builds many of the props and sets that bring my creative visions to life. Their support has been such an important part of my journey.

How I got started
I started very simply — by photographing what was around me: my family, my garden, and the little everyday things in my home. I didn’t have fancy gear or formal training; I just had curiosity and determination.
As I practiced, I began to understand light, composition, and emotion. I started taking photos for friends, then for families in my community. Every session taught me something, and each step built my confidence a little more.
Over time, I invested in better equipment, learned off-camera flash, built props, created sets, and developed my own creative style. Photography didn’t just become a skill — it became my healing, my purpose, and eventually my career.
In 2023, I officially started Penprapa Berry Photography LLC here in Huntsville, Arkansas, and I’m forever grateful for where this journey has led me.

The Service I provide
I provide portrait photography for families, children, couples, seniors, and maternity sessions. I also offer seasonal and themed mini sessions throughout the year, along with creative concepts like garden portraits and Box Photos. Many of my sets and props — including floral swings, garden installations, and holiday setups — are handmade by me on my homestead, giving each session a unique and personal touch.
In addition to photographing clients, I teach workshops, mentor new photographers, and enjoy supporting others who are just getting started, just like I once was.

What sets me apart
A few things make my work unique:

I built everything from zero.
No background, no formal training — just passion, discipline, and heart. Everything I know comes from self-teaching, practice, and never giving up.

My creative sets are handmade.
I build props, design backdrops, and create garden setups that reflect my imagination, my homestead, and the natural spaces I love.

I lead with compassion and patience.
I try to create a space where people can relax, be themselves, and enjoy the moment. I work gently with children, neurodivergent kids, and adults who appreciate a calm and understanding approach.

My multicultural background shapes my art.
My Thai heritage, love for gardening, and homesteading lifestyle all influence the warmth and natural elements in my work.

I collaborate with other photographers.
I host styled shoot events — including my “Senior in the Garden” session — where photographers come together to learn and create. I also open my location and props to others. I believe deeply in community over competition.

I believe professional photography should be accessible.
I offer friendly services at affordable, reasonable prices while still delivering professional, high-quality work.

Alongside my regular sessions, I also run community-focused projects such as Sponsor a Senior, free Veteran portraits, and low-cost or donation-based sessions for families who need a little extra help. These projects come from my heart and my own experiences — not from charity, but from connection and compassion.

My work isn’t just images — it’s creativity, care, and genuine human connection.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of starting from nothing and building something meaningful. I’m proud that photography helped me heal after losing my mother. And I’m proud that I kept going, even on the days when it felt overwhelming.
I’m also grateful that my work has given me opportunities to give back to my community — whether it’s offering accessible sessions, creating special portrait days for students and veterans, or finding ways to make photography available to families who might otherwise go without. These projects may not be large in scale, but the impact they have on the people I meet is deeply meaningful to me.
Capturing these moments — especially for individuals and families who need it most — reminds me that photography is not just a service. It’s a way to connect, to support, and to uplift others through something as simple as a portrait.
But more than anything, I’m proud that my work has made a real difference. Through every session and every act of service, I’ve been able to support students, veterans, and families who might not otherwise have images to cherish. Every time someone tells me they love a photo of themselves — especially someone who rarely feels that way — I’m reminded exactly why I do this.

What I want people to know about Penprapa Berry Photography
My business is built on heart, authenticity, and intention. Every session — from the simplest portrait to the most elaborate mini — is created with care. My goal is not just to take photos. It’s to make people feel seen, valued, and beautiful. It’s to preserve memories families will cherish for a lifetime. And it’s to bring a little more light — just like the meaning of my name — into the lives of the people I photograph.
I’m also deeply grateful for the people who trust me with their stories — for the clients, families, and community members who have given me the opportunity to grow, create, and do what I love. Their support has shaped my journey in ways I’ll never forget.

The Mission Behind My Creative Journey
My mission is to create art that feels genuine — warm, emotional, and full of connection.
I want my photography to honor real life: the messy, the joyful, the imperfect, the beautiful.
I’m driven by community, kindness, and the belief that everyone deserves to have their story documented.
At the heart of everything I create is one guiding purpose:
To use my camera as a source of light — to bring joy, confidence, and meaning to the people I photograph, and to create memories that last long after the moment has passed.

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

When I first stepped into photography, I wasn’t looking for a career — I was looking for a way to keep myself going during a very heavy chapter of my life. I was grieving my mother from across the world, isolated during the lockdown, and trying to find something that would help me move forward. Picking up a camera felt impossible at first. I didn’t know anything about photography, and I doubted whether I could learn something completely new in my 40s.

But resilience, for me, showed up in small ways. It looked like watching one tutorial, practicing one new setting, taking one imperfect photo, and choosing not to quit even when it felt discouraging. Every tiny step began adding up. What started as a way to cope slowly became a source of purpose, creativity, and healing.

Over time, I discovered that resilience isn’t loud or dramatic — it’s quiet, steady, and patient. It’s the courage to try again on days when you feel like giving up. It’s allowing yourself to grow at your own pace. And it’s trusting that the small steps you take today will one day become the path that leads you forward.

Looking back, my journey reminds me that you don’t have to be fearless to begin — you just have to be willing to take one step.
And step by step, I found myself becoming the photographer I never imagined I could be.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a photographer is knowing that the images I create will become meaningful memories for someone else. I grew up in a home with very few photos, so I understand how precious these moments can be. When a client tells me they finally love a picture of themselves, or a family treasures a portrait of their child or loved one, I’m reminded why I do this work. Photography allows me to serve people in a way that feels genuine — capturing joy, connection, and the beauty in everyday life. Being part of someone’s story, even for a few minutes, is the greatest reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/pberry.photography
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/pberry.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pberry.photographyLLC