Meet Bonnie Blu

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bonnie Blu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bonnie below.

Bonnie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding one’s purpose is an ever-evolving journey, and for me, it started long before I could truly understand the significance of it. As a young child, my father and family would always capture moments of me on film, unaware that these simple pictures would lay the foundation for my lifelong love affair with the camera. From the very beginning, I was destined to be in front of it, but it wasn’t always an easy road.

Growing up, I was an outgoing, vibrant child, always looking for ways to express myself. But, as we all know, childhood can be harsh, and I often found myself the target of relentless bullying. The sting of betrayal from those I considered friends was my first real encounter with the harsh clash of expectations versus reality. The emotional toll was heavy, leading me into a deep depression I had to navigate without fully understanding why people could be so cruel. It was a painful chapter in my life, one that shaped the person I would become.

High school brought its own challenges, but it also marked the beginning of my transformation. The bullying subsided, and I found ways to shine—ways to embrace my uniqueness and find expression. That’s when I found myself in front of the camera again. I dabbled in modeling, knowing I didn’t fit the industry’s ideal standards, but enjoying it as a hobby and feeling the rush of creativity. Through those experiences, I got involved in helping others within the industry, and that sparked a fire inside of me. The satisfaction of offering advice and guidance, of being heard and valued—it felt right. People listened, and that feeling was more than fulfilling.

During my final years of college, I met one of my greatest inspirations, a photographer who’s work I had obsessed over. But like many relationships, it wasn’t without its pitfalls. The photographer I once trusted ended up sabotaging my efforts and leaving me to pick up the pieces of my dreams. That betrayal only strengthened my resolve, though, and I decided to take matters into my own hands. Being self taught, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about photography, and the more I honed my craft, the more I fell in love with it.

With my degree in Studio Art and Graphic Design, I began blending my knowledge of fashion, beauty, and artistic expression into my photography. The camera became my tool for creating stories, capturing moments, and expressing emotions. My clients were no longer just clients—they were my artwork. Their smiles, their joy when they saw the final images, became my purpose. It was a beautiful confirmation that I was on the right path.

What I’ve come to realize is that many of the people who come to me for photoshoots have their own battles to fight. They’ve faced challenges, much like I have, that brought them to this very place, in front of the lens. And that’s where I want to make a difference. I carefully craft each session to highlight and celebrate my clients’ journeys, making them feel seen, heard, and valued—something I longed for myself for much of my life. In a world where it’s easy to feel invisible, I want to be the one who helps others feel important.

The trust my clients place in me is something I never take for granted. They’ve shared their stories with me, and in return, I’ve given them something tangible—something that showcases their strength, beauty, and resilience. They rave about my creativity, my professionalism, and the care I put into each shot. But more than that, they appreciate how I make them feel: seen, respected, and cherished.

Photography, at its core, is so much more than a snapshot of a moment. It’s an emotional experience that can have profound psychological impacts. It boosts confidence and self-esteem, nurtures creativity, and encourages self-expression. It fosters mindfulness, increases presence, and offers a sense of community and belonging. For many, it’s even a way to release the weight of the past, leaving them lighter and more at peace. When I’m behind the camera, I’m not just capturing an image—I’m capturing an experience, a feeling, a moment in time that will stay with my clients forever.

How could I not want to pour all of the love and growth that photography has brought me into others? This art form has not only helped me heal but has allowed me to uplift others as well. To see the joy, the pride, and the sense of self-worth my clients gain from a photoshoot is priceless, and it’s a feeling I’m honored to be a part of. Photography has brought me—and so many others—joy, and I’m so incredibly proud to share that joy with the world.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a Wedding, Brand, and Portrait photographer, along with a content creator and photography educator. I have been in the photography industry for over 10 years which has lead me to creating for the masses and helping other photographers grow and shape their skillset. What sets Bonnie Blu Studios apart from the many photographers available is turning the clients into their own artworks that also exudes their personalities. The photographs instantly radiate the clients essence by well curated posing, wardrobe styling, atmospheric lighting and other unique elements specific to that client. The exciting moments comes in two parts, one allowing me to create in my process with the clients trust, the other when the client has their photo shoot reveal. This the finalized results of their retouched images printed out in an album, piece of wall art or print. Their emotions are priceless and unforgettable. My photography is a fusion of fashion, beauty, editorial and everything unique to you with a polished finish. The BLU in Bonnie Blu has a multi meaning. In one instance we use the color blue in the branding to symbolize trust in the brand and in the other we also want to push tranquility and ease of the experience to the clients. We offer the highest quality printed products again to enforce the trust we have with the client. Bonnie Blu will be attending more speaking engagements at photography conferences in between servicing her clients. To continue to build the community not only on the client end but for other photographers is her goal. Workshops and classes will be coming to those photographers looking for trusted assistants and client appreciation events will be coming to her clients. To stay in the know you can also sign up to her news letter on www.shootblu.com and Follow her on Social Media Platforms : Ig: @Bonnie.Blu @BonnieBluWeddings and if you’d like to learn more about her outside of photography you can follow her on TikTok @_BonnieBLU

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

It’s always been a blessing to be creative, without that skillset I don’t know where I would be. With little support in the beginning I made my way to youtube university, I tried to find like minded individuals to create my own network. Things to watch out for is people just being along for the ride, stealing your ideas (not everyone needs to know), and there will be plenty of people that think you can’t do it. You must be your best advocate to get to where you want to go and give yourself grace.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

When you are self employed there are several challenges to face. Currently my challenges are funding to expand the business and pay for marketing along with having the proper knowledge to find grants for my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shootblu.com www.ido.shootblu.com/weddings
• Instagram: @Bonnie.Blu @BonniebluWeddings
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chooseblu
• Youtube: bonnie blu studios