We recently connected with Bernice Isley and have shared our conversation below.
Bernice, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome as a newborn photographer involves embracing my unique journey and focusing on continuous improvement. I celebrate my achievements, seek constructive feedback, and invest in ongoing learning. By setting realistic goals and recognizing my progress, I build confidence and acknowledge my value in capturing precious moments for families.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a maternity, newborn and family photographer based in Raleigh, NC. I offer in home sessions and studio sessions. I decided to offer in home sessions ( I bring the studio to the comfort of home) because I remember those early days as a new mama. You are sleep deprived and the last thing you want to do is get the family ready and head out to a studio. It works for some, but not all.
The most exciting part about what I do is being able to provide life long memories for families to cherish for generations to come. Seeing the love between families during sessions, even when they may think things are chaotic, is inspiring. I have had multiple families think that sessions were completely blown, and then they receive their images and are taken aback by the love I was able to capture.
Sometimes it may seem like photography is a luxury, but I want to assure families that it’s worth investing in. These memories will last for generations. And sometimes pictures are all we have when tragedy strikes. Professional photos provide high-quality, timeless keepsakes that beautifully document your family’s growth and bond, creating a visual legacy for future generations.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my career, I believe the three qualities that had the most impact on my journey were resilience, character, and hard work. Resilience helped me overcome challenges, character ensured I stayed true to my values, and hard work drove me to continually improve and succeed.
Advice I would have for anyone early in their journey, is to not give up and to take the proper education. There will be times when things seem hard or impossible and you just have to power thru. Proper education especially in the newborn photography field is so important. The safety of someone’s precious baby is at stake. We want to create these breathtaking images, but safety should be our top priority.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client as a newborn photographer is a family who values capturing precious, and this momentary time with their new baby. They appreciate high-quality, artistic photography and are excited to collaborate creatively to preserve these special memories for a lifetime.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.messofadreamerphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/messofadreamerphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessofaDreamerPhotography
Image Credits
Headshot by Kristin Marie Photography All other photos by Mess Of A Dreamer Photography (me)
