Today we’d like to introduce you to Bertha L. Bishop.
Hi Bertha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In my hometown of Medellín, Colombia, I went to college for journalism, and any classes related to photography were always my favorite. I would spend hours in dark rooms developing film and making enlargements; it was the nineties, digital wasn’t our thing just yet! I threw my heart and soul into any project having to do with photos, images, and storytelling. I moved to the U.S. in 1999 and worked many jobs over the years, but always continued to practice photography on the side and kept up with how the industry advanced, especially its transition to the digital world. After living in Florida, then Southern California, I settled with my family in Mansfield, Ohio, and friends started to ask me to photograph their children, families, and events. As I got busier with photographic projects, it became very clear to me that I didn’t want to do anything but be a professional photographer, so with the support of my husband and daughter, I made the nerve-racking but exciting decision to quit my job as a Spanish teacher in a private school and work on building my business.
In 2019 I completed the requirements for my certification as a professional photographer through the Professional Photographers of America and have since attended numerous conferences and become acquainted with many professionals in the industry, several of whom have become some of my closest friends. I am also pursuing a certification in newborn photography and safety through the APNPI (Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it smooth at all, I’ve learned many lessons along the way and it’s been trial and error in terms of how to do business and reach my ideal clients, managing my workflow, bookkeeping, which for me is super difficult. I think it has gotten smoother, sure, but it’s definitely still a work in progress.
I think the biggest challenges professional photographers face is the fact that we live in a world where everyone is a photographer. Anybody can pick up a camera and claim they can do the same thing a professional does, which doesn’t happen in any other field. Other professions require licenses, permits, etc., while ours does not. In the long run, what that does is devalue education and training, and it’s important for anyone trying to get into this profession to seek out as much training as possible. I really believe education is the only thing that will eventually set you apart from any competitors. Knowing as much as you can about your craft and never allowing yourself to think you’ve learned all there is to learn. There is always more to know. Staying humble will also go a long way, always acknowledging that there is room to grow.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in newborns and high school seniors, so kind of opposite ends of the spectrum, the beginning of a child’s life and the end of a major chapter in a child’s life. I also do a lot of family sessions and children’s milestones. Usually, when a family uses me for their newborn’s portraits, they will come back for the baby’s first birthday portraits, their family sessions, their second baby’s newborn portraits, etc. Both senior and newborn sessions take coordination, so I discuss with clients ahead of time to get a better understanding of their preferences and prepare for each session in the best way I can. When it comes to high school seniors, it’s a big production! I try to encourage teenagers to incorporate their hobbies into their portraits, any sports they practice, musical instruments they play, pets they love. This helps make their session truly unique and representative of their personalities. I love studio work, so I usually have at least one indoor set-up for each senior, but also go on location quite often. I want their ideas and suggestions, the quirkier the better, and sometimes they will humor me as well when I have an off-the-wall idea. We have ended up with pretty phenomenal images as a result.
In the case of newborns, I will guide parents through the process and give them suggestions and tips to prepare the baby before the session. Tiny babies are so unpredictable, and it helps if parents know that I understand this and know how to work with the baby patiently and safely. Over the years, I have amassed quite a collection of newborn wraps and props, I love offering variety, so when parents and baby arrive, there is usually a whole assortment laid out in the studio. The priority, however, is keeping the baby safe. No image is worth injuring a child.
In all my work, I strive to create unique images that families can cherish for generations, so I encourage people to have products made with their images, and I keep beautiful samples on display in my office.
What makes you happy?
Happiness is waking up every day to the realization that I get to do what I love for a living; not a day goes by when I don’t feel the joy that comes with being my own boss, working on my own property, making my own schedule, being able to implement ideas without having to ask anyone for permission, deciding what direction my career takes and what I want to improve, learn, and master. My husband and daughter make me happy; they are really cool humans. My dogs make me happy; I want to rescue all the dogs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blbishopphoto.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/blbishopphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/blbishopphotography
