Meet Abby Bertram

We recently connected with Abby Bertram and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Abby, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Everything that I am is rooted in my faith, although that wasn’t always true. There was once a time in my life that I found my identity and purpose in what others thought of me. I idolized success through hard things and self discipline. Growing up, my dream was to become a United States Marine. After graduating college with my Associate’s degree, I left my home to attend bootcamp at Parris Island. But there was one catch – I knew that this was going against God’s will for my life. There were multiple factors of conviction from the Holy Spirit that I chose to ignore simply because I cared more about my dream than following God. My time at Parris Island was ultimately cut short, and I returned home humiliated and left without a purpose. I realized that I had been idolizing the idea of becoming a Marine. God had taken that from me in order to bring me near to His heart, and I am so glad that He did. This experience has taught me to find my purpose and identity in God. Today, I pray every day that God would remind me of that lesson, especially when it comes to seeking success in my business. Ultimately, I would rather live free from idols and business than without seeking God.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an elopement photographer specializing in Oregon and Arkansas, though I am always down to adventure anywhere your love may take us. I find a lot of pride in how I run my business and care for each of my couples. I don’t only photograph elopements, but I also help plan your personalized elopement experience from start to finish, making sure no details are left out and you get to be free from the stress of planning logistics. My planning process includes: timeline, locations, weather preperation, hiking information, Plan B, packing list, marriage license information, permit information (including communication with NPS), vendor recommendations, and any other special considerations. I seek to go above and beyond while serving my clients with love, creativity, integrity, and excellency because I believe this is what I’m called to do as a Christian. I also seek to serve my clients with this kind of excellency because although I didn’t elope, I wish that I had! I was a victim of family drama tainting my wedding day, and I don’t want any other person to have to go through that. Your wedding day is so sacred, and the only thing that matters is you and your covenants to one another. Not the production. You!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I definitely believe you need resilience and purpose to get through the beginning stages of building your business or whatever journey you are on. Honestly, you need these qualities to get through life!! On the days that you wonder why you even try, these qualities will get you through. Again, mankind is created to serve – but we won’t find true joy in serving if we don’t have a greater purpose.

On the more logistical side catered towards photography, an area of knowledge that was most helpful to me was learning SEO. This is ever-changing, but ever so important in today’s day and age. You need to learn SEO so that people can find you. There’s so many people across the world who might be interested in your business and work, but they might not even know that you exist!

For the folks in the beginning stages in their journey: My best advice to you would be to invest in education. And I mean, GOOD education. Like, don’t be scared of the cost of education because it is truly an investment and you will reap the benefits.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal clients are couples who are truly down for an adventure. These couples understand the weight of their covenant, and they believe in a wedding day protecting the sacredness of that. My couples are playful. They are intimate. They are down for a good time and a wild ride. They are also seeking an elopement experience rather than a couple of hours of pictures, and this is why they are looking for an elopement photographer like me who is an expert at what they do, takes the stress out of logistics and planning, and is fun to be with. I truly believe that your elopement photographer is one of the only people who might be with you for the entirety of your elopement day, so it is so crucial to book someone who you truly connect with (& I hope it’s me!!).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abbyreephotography.com
• Instagram: abbyreephotography
• Facebook: Abby Ree Photography
• Other: TikTok: abbyreephotography

  Pinterest: Abby Ree Photography

Image Credits

Me!

Abby Ree Photography