Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Weinheimer and Michael Blinn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Bethany: Howdy! I am Dr. Bethany Weinheimer. I am an ER Veterinarian in Plano. I grew up on a small farm in El Campo, Texas, the Home of the fighting Ricebirds.
I have loved photography even from a young age. My inspiration to pick up a camera was my Uncle Jack. He would walk around our family’s holiday events with the multiple windup cameras taking candid shots, and I would follow closely behind taking pictures of the action. It was always such an adventure to see what had been captured after the film had been developed.
When I got to elementary school, my mom purchased her first Canon camera to take pictures of our weekend events which included showing animals and a combination of cheerleading and dancing competitions. I loved practicing taking pictures of my little sister on the dance floor or in the show ring. When I got to high school, I received my first digital camera for Christmas! It was a pivotal day in my life because that day forward, I was taking pictures of all walks of life throughout college at Texas A&M University (WHOOP!), while I worked at Disney World, and throughout veterinary school. After graduation, my hobby soon turned into art once I completed photography classes to grow my skills.
Michael: I currently serve in the U.S. military, and I am originally from North Carolina. Photography and film have heavily influenced my family’s history. My great grandfather worked in the film industry, my grandfather was a camera operator for ABC news and my dad has shot photography off of his 1960’s Nikon his entire life. Though I never imagined I would continue this lineage, Bethany really inspired and influenced me to give it a shot. I enjoy the challenge of mastering light, the composition of the photo, and capturing the true essence of the people being photographed.
Our Story:
Bethany took a road trip to explore the western United States. The plan was to drive up to Seattle, Washington from Texas with a friend and our puppy companions at our side. Once Bethany and her sidekick arrived in Washington, they stayed with Bethany’s former roommate and her husband. At the time, Michael was living in Washington and also happened to be in the area. The couple invited Michael to a group dinner and asked if he would want to meet Bethany. Michael went to dinner, laid eyes on Bethany, and felt love at first sight.
Our Photography Story:
When Michael found out he was being deployed to the Middle East for work, he encouraged Bethany to develop a list of hobbies to occupy her time because of the limited communication they would have while he was gone. Bethany expressed interest in developing her skills in photography. This led Michael to take Bethany to the local Best Buy and purchasing a professional-grade camera. While Michael was away, Bethany signed up for a full series of photography classes and took her days off to practice the art of a preexisting skill. Once Michael returned home, she talked him into taking the classes too so he could also shoot during sessions. The newfound skillset turned into an artistic outlet for Michael and also a hobby he could enjoy with Bethany. This hobby has not only turned into a small business but also deepened their relationship with one another.
Our favorite type of photography is the surprise engagement shoots. They are always so exciting! Michael finds himself just as nervous as the soon to be groom, and Bethany feels almost excited as the bride to be! We always feel honored that we were able to witness and capture people choosing one another for marriage.
We really love working with couples and families for their portrait sessions! We enjoy getting to know our couples, learning their story, and providing them with images that accurately depict their emotions for one another and the memories they share. Weddings also hold a special place in our hearts! Our sweet friend Jesica Clay has helped us enter us into the wedding photography community and provided us with great mentorship.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Bethany: The biggest struggle for us was balancing our careers, our personal lives, and our photography business. All aspects of our lives needed to be synchronized, not only for the benefit of our personal fulfillment and our relationship but our performance at photography sessions.
My biggest advice to other females: Be passionate about whatever it is that you are doing! If you love what you do, being able to balance the different aspects of your life not only becomes manageable, but it is also enjoyable!
We’d love to hear more about Bethany and Michael Photography.
We primarily specialize in portrait photography utilizing natural light. Our photos concentrate on our clients, with clean, natural backgrounds. We also pride ourselves on being able to communicate with our clients on what to expect during a particular photoshoot. We understand aspects of a photoshoot can feel uncomfortable or awkward, such as posing. We work hard to educate our clientele on all aspects of the photography process, so they feel confident in our work. This communication not only creates amazing photos it builds a close bond between us and our clients.
Lastly, we absolutely love what we do! Photography has brought so much joy to us as a couple and as a family, and we want to bring the same experience to our clients. We make it our mission to give our clients a fun, relaxing experience during a session, and we complement that experience with high-quality photographs.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
Bethany: We have met many people in the photography community who have taken the time to invest in us and give us great support and mentorship. I know if we all build one another up with positive attitudes and kind words, we can create our opportunities for all of us to be successful by sharing recourses and ideas.
Contact Info:
- Email: bethanymichaelphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanyandmichaelphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bethany-Michael-Photography-2061554460634324/
Image Credit:
Bethany and Michael Photography
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