There’s a moment, in the circus of life, where the trapeze artist summons her courage, releases the bar that was supporting her, and, with arms outstretched, freefalls into the unknown. Time pauses. She can’t yet see the next bar but she trusts it’s coming.
That’s the space I’m in.
Okay, friends. I’m ready to update you.
More than two years ago, I pointed my nose, body and soul towards a social media break. A lot of good things have happened since then; truly it’s been some of the most meaningful personal growth of my life. Also a lot has metamorphosed since then and I want to share something with you.
I’ve made the painstaking but certain decision to close the doors of my portrait studio. Bethany O Photography and Bethany O Boudoir are as precious as babies to me; I’m incredulously appreciative of how those businesses and my customers provided for my family, especially when I needed it most. It’s scary to walk away from a good thing. I’m stepping forward with the sneaking suspicion that something even better may be around the corner.
Plus, as you may have noticed, symbolically, my name is not even Bethany O anymore. Time, she marches on.
Will I be putting my camera down forever? Absolutely I will: at exactly the same moment that I take my final breath of air. In the meantime, I’m over here tilling the soil of my idea garden, plucking weeds and clearing space for new inspiration to grow.
It was my husband Tim who noticed I had an untended idea garden in the first place, that I wouldn’t let myself step through the gate. It was Tim who put his hand on my shoulder, dropped the gardening gloves in my hand, and said, “go.” Have I made your eyes roll yet, about how grateful I am for the past and how grateful I am for the future? Because I’d like to add that I’m super grateful for that guy too. And for myself, while we’re at it. Heart of a f*ckin warrior over here.
Time showed me that. Time, she’s revelatory.
As we hover here with suspended breath while the trapeze artist outstretches her arms, if you’re a past customer or supporter of mine, please know how much I’ve cherished our work together. Please know that in my eyes, you will always wear the angel wings.
With gratitude pouring out my eyeballs,
Bethany
Who I Am
I’m not yet ready to share my thoughts for the next chapter; they’re still in utero. Recent decades have seen me as a light and airy photographer, a meaning-hungry blogger, an overenthusiastic mom (still here), a jilted ex-wife, a Goddess-Whispering Tiktok semi-star, a cautiously hopeful new bride, and a Jib-Jabbing Joyologist.
Whatever does happen from here, I will always be a Light-Catcher. I’ll always be reminding you (and myself) to “Let It Shine.”
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For now, I check @bethanypvanech sparsely, as I’m mostly in happy creative hermit mode these days.
