Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Williamson.
Hi Beverly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in Dallas, Texas. I was born to a Salvadoran woman and an East Texas gringo. I was raised in Latino culture, and I’m deeply grateful to my parents for making sure that part of me always stayed present and alive.
As a teenager, I went through cancer treatment and underwent chemo and radiation.
It wasn’t until I entered remission that I was left with the things I’d been avoiding for years: my mental health. I’ll spare the details but know I did in fact make it out what felt like a bottomless pit. I’m incredibly thankful for every friend, family member, and kind stranger who gave me even the smallest amount of strength to keep going. And big shout out to SSRIs.
After high school—and after stumbling in and out of community college—I revisited something I loved as a kid: photography. My mama gave me a small film camera when I was little, and I remember how much peace and joy it brought me. Photography asks you to be present. It demands that you pay attention.
As an adult, I switched to digital and started taking portraits for friends, family, and friends of friends. Slowly, that turned into a small business. It started feeling real when strangers began booking me.
I’d say my niche is people and intimate spaces. I photograph individuals, families, and sometimes elopements, usually in homes, meaningful spaces, or outdoors. I prefer shooting wherever people feel most like themselves.
One thing I’ve come to see as a real privilege is when someone feels safe with me. Being photographed requires vulnerability, and that isn’t easy for most people. I completely understand that. And if I’m not the right photographer for someone, I’m genuinely happy to help them find the right fit. I want people to have a positive experience even if it isn’t with me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. After entering remission, I had to deal with the parts of myself I had put on hold for years. I struggled a lot with my mental health and felt pretty directionless for a while. I stumbled in and out of community college and spent a lot of time feeling like everyone else had some clear roadmap while I was just trying to find stable ground.
Building my own photography business also came with its own challenges. Starting out, I was photographing friends and family and hoping people outside of my immediate circle would trust me enough to hire me. There’s a lot of vulnerability in putting your work out into the world and wondering if it’s “good enough.”
One thing I’ve also wrestled with is the fact that photography brings me peace. It grounds me. I love it deeply, and because of that, I’ve been protective of it. I never wanted to reach a point where I only associated it with stress, deadlines, or survival. Learning how to honor something I love while still growing professionally has been a challenge.
So I took that as my sign to get my butt back in school and finish my degree.
Why? Because in the 1980s, a brave young woman hugged her family goodbye and left her home country so that her two boys and future daughter would have a better chance in life.
During the day, I’m a Marketing Communications Specialist. On weekends, I’m a photographer.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a portrait and lifestyle photographer, and I’d say I specialize in people and intimate spaces. I photograph individuals, families, and occasionally elopements, usually in homes, meaningful places, or outdoors. I’m drawn to environments that feel natural because I want people to feel like themselves rather than like they’ve stepped into a staged version of their life.
I think I’m known more for the feeling people leave with than for any one visual style. Something I care deeply about is creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to relax and just exist. Being photographed can feel awkward or even intimidating for some, and I understand that completely.
There are times where before a shoot, some people share their concerns or self criticism. While I don’t see you through your eyes, I make the effort to listen anyway. We’re all human.
The best feeling in the world to me is when I show that person their photos and they realize that maybe that thing they were worried about or didn’t like about their appearance wasn’t such a big deal after all.
What I’m most proud of is when someone tells me afterward that they actually felt safe, comfortable, or even enjoyed being photographed. That means more to me than a perfectly posed image ever could.
And my absolute favorite is when clients send me cell phone pics of my work framed and hanging on a wall in their homes. I get happy tears every time. Nothing beats that.
What sets me apart is probably the way I approach people. I’m less interested in perfection and more interested in truth. I’m not trying to force a moment that doesn’t exist. I want to notice the small things: the expressions, the pauses, the interactions that already belong to someone. I think people can tell when they’re being seen versus being directed, and I try to create photographs that feel more like being seen.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Who’s to say…but I know those of us in the arts and in marketing can feel the catastrophic effects of AI. It provides convenience at a terrible cost but I believe in the resilience of artists and community. The artificial will never have the human “touch”. We are not machines.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beverlymiechel.com
- Instagram: @beverlymiechelphoto
- Facebook: @beverlymiechelphoto
Image Credits
Beverly Miechel Photography
