As I sit here in my bed, laptop buzzing, Gary Clark Jr. serenading my ears, there a million words to write and I’m grasping at where to begin. I should start with who I am, and the general purpose of this blog (that’s assuming you’re a stranger and know nothing about me at all and actually care?). I am first and foremost a mom to three beautiful children that load my life with love, humility, hope, passion, and tons of beauty. I have been a business owner and photographer in the Greater Austin area for just over 6 years, and have been so incredibly blessed by the crazy, fun journey it’s brought me on.
Many of you know me as the owner of Bella Amadis Photography, which was my baby for 6 years, but as I have grown through my art, I have outgrown where I started (which turns out to be a great thing!). I’ll forever be greatful for every direction Bella Amadis led me, but it’s time I’m just me. There was a time I started to lose the passion I once had for my art, so I stepped back, evaluated the direction I was going, and started on a slightly different path that I’m in love with. I gradually stepped away from traditional photo sessions and geared myself to weddings, events, fashion, bands, and now tv – and while I’ll still make time for my long-time clients, I haven’t looked back on this change. So, as of October 1st, I am so pleased to announce Bella Amadis will be no more and I will just be me, Bethany. I have to say using just my name on my images over the last year has brought a new sense of pride to my work, it’s me and not a company. Just me. The new website should be launching anyday now at www.bethanylynne.com, so be on the look out! I will, of course, be posting the launch here as soon as the details are smoothed out.
Beginning my journey of weddings about four years ago, I found something that couldn’t be replaced in this art. A feeling that is hard to put into words, but something that fills my core with so much joy and passion. It humbles me to the bone to be able to be just a small part of a big story, a story that is just beginning for each beautiful couple. I couldn’t be any luckier with the clients I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years, they’ve each become such beautiful friends.
Interestingly enough, my adventures in matrimony led me to what has probably become my favorite part of projects aside from weddings and events. Several years ago, I started working with local bands, and instantly I knew a fire had been set. I loved getting to know these fresh new artists, full of hope and promise. Not to mention always willing to humor my insane ideas at photo shoots. I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and watching these amazing artists blossom in beautiful careers.
I realize this post has been lengthy, and I promise this kind of information overload won’t be a regular thing, but this part is good. All of this blabber leads me to my final project (as if I really need another), but it’s an all time favorite that covers most everything I love about my job. A project I began working on a little over two years ago, when I met a man who I can only describe to you as certifiably insane….which of course means we became instant friends. Two years of fun, hard work, weird ideas, late nights, and freaky people have led us to a glorious new chapter. In just a few short weeks, all of that hard work is paying off as we launch our local television show here in beautiful Austin, Texas on the My Austin TV network. I can’t tell you how amazing this adventure has been to everyone that has been involved. Something that started out as fun has turned into such a humbling learning experience to all of us. October 15th the entire crew of The Bling Johnson Show will celebrate as our first show airs and our hard work pays off as we highlight our beautiful city and the many talented artists in it. There’s been bumps in the road, but we made it, kids.
Stay tuned, watch the show, and be sure to come back here often. I’ll be posting my client work, weekly updates from behind the scenes with The Bling Johnson Show, and plenty of random chaos. Thanks for reading this far! Love your faces.
bethany lynne (farrell-menchaca)
