Rising Stars: Meet Beth Escudero

Image Credits
Peak & Sparrow Creative

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Escudero. 

Hi Beth, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins in Centerville, Ohio. My grandfather always had a camera and no matter the reason we were gathered together, photos would always be taken. My love of family and photography came together when I first took a photography class in middle school. I really started to enjoy looking through the countless, well-organized albums my mom put together. Little did I know just how much photography would impact my life and help me through some of my greatest sorrows and joys. 

My husband Ezra and I have been married since 2006 and struggled with unexplained infertility. After two losses of our own, we made the decision that our family would grow through the gift of adoption. In December of 2018, our miracle son Samuel was born. He is our greatest joy, and we cannot imagine our lives without him! 

I started Beth Escudero Photography in 2015 to give my passion of photography a place to grow. I was working full-time for a major insurance company in a job that I loved. Unfortunately, shortly after we brought our son home, my role was eliminated. While I was scared to go into my business full-time with a newborn, there was no better sign that this was it! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
From a business perspective, no. When I started my business in 2015, I knew next to nothing about running a business. I was a photographer. I met with people at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Ohio, and they helped me become a legal business with the state. After that, I learned a lot through networking with other photographers and online classes. 

Networking with other photographers proved to be a bit challenging at times. It’s a very saturated market in Columbus and pretty competitive. It took a few years, but I have made some of the best relationships with some of the most talented people who have helped me out tremendously. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d like to say my specialty is the authenticity that comes through in my work. I want to photograph people as they are, with minimal posing. That’s not to say I won’t direct my clients, but I want them to feel natural. I believe I am known for the connections I make with my clients and how comfortable I make them feel in front of my camera. It can be intimidating to have your photo taken, and I like to guide them through the session. I like to bring music to my sessions; sometimes, I have my couples create or share their playlist with me. 

It’s hard to say what I’m most proud of in my work. Maybe it’s the number of times a client comes back to me, when they refer me to their friends or family, or when a wedding client has me photograph their growing family. Even when I am asked to photograph the not-so-happy moments in someone’s life, it’s an honor that I don’t take lightly. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Besides being a wedding and family photographer, I’m proud to be a member of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). The mission of NILMDTS is to introduce remembrance photography to parents experiencing the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture. As someone who has lost two babies, this gift is invaluable. It’s not an easy thing for me to do, but I know that this gift can help a family. 

And as an adoptive family, I also offer discounted sessions to families hoping to adopt. Adoption is expensive, and I like to help out by discounting sessions that families can use to make their profile books for prospective birth mothers. 

Pricing:

• Weddings begin at $2,700
• Portraits begin at $300

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bethescudero.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bethescudero_photography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/escuderophotography

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