Conversations with Courtney Byers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Byers. 

Hi Courtney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for photography goes back to 8th grade. My parents bought me digital camera, and I took it everywhere I went. I cherished the thought of having photographs of places I went and people I spent most of my time with. Fast forward to 2014 when I moved in with my boyfriend at the time (my now husband) and was gifted my very first DSLR camera. We lived on 2 acres with a beautiful backyard, and that’s where I began to spend countless hours taking photos of all of our family when they would spend time there. Nieces and nephews were my favorite practice subjects! Eventually, one thing led to another and what once was just a hobby turned into more and more families reaching out to me to photograph their precious memories. In 2016, I married my husband… and began working as a second shooter for a very well-known wedding photographer in the area. She taught me ALOT and contributed to my success by paving the way for me to grow and learn… not only in the skill of photography but also in building a successful business. Here we are 6 years later, I am now a wife and mother of two children, still photographing families and children and doing what I love! I’m so blessed to be able to share my love of photos with the community that I grew up in… I was able to open a studio in November of 2021 right in Perry Township. I am hoping to continue to grow this business and share it with you! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, of course, we all have struggles and obstacles along the way, but I’ve had so much love and support from family, friends, and loyal families that I photograph every single year! 

I remember dreaming of the day I could have my own studio, and I am over the moon to bring my clients into my very own space that I’ve been able to create just for them! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My love for taking photos stems from photographing kids. There’s something about knowing your photos will be hung in grandma and grandpa’s house for years to come and thinking of the warmth it brings every time they look at them. 

I’m a sucker for belly laughs, drolly baby kisses for mom and dad, and making family photos FUN and bearable. Once I became a mother with my own children… it humbled me to know how much I appreciate my own photos. I love doing it for other people… and doing it as a career is that much better. I would say I’m known for photographing families and child milestones. That’s my niche, that’s my specialty, and that’s where my heart lies in my work. It will always be how I started and where some of my most valuable photographs come from! 

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 crisis was hard on everyone. There are plenty of things that happened that had negative impacts on my life, my clients’ lives, and my business. However, taking photos for families, couples, and children became that much more appreciated… every day is a blessing. Sometimes at the end of the day, all you have left of a person is a photograph. That hit home for me through the Covid-19 crisis. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.courtneybyersphotography.com
• Instagram: @courtneybyersphoto
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100063355262113/