Bethany Cunningham Photography

There are lots of things I value, obviously…we all value things. I thought it might be helpful to share some of these things with you. As I’ve reflected, it’s reminded me that what I value as a photographer is really just consistent with things I value in general as a human.

Of course while we all curate what others see to some extent, my aim is that you feel comfortable to show up for photos in your space in a way that truly reflects you in this season.

It’s a high bar, but one that I’ll keep working to keep.

All of a sudden we’re almost through January, and I haven’t shown up here for a couple of months. It’s been a lovely summer, and now I’m gearing up for a new year of business alongside schooling my girls. This means some tweaks to my session availability, shifting to mostly Friday, Saturday and Sundays. If you’re after a session on another day, please do touch base and we can work out how to make it happen!

It was time to show my face and tell you a little about myself again. So here are some words you’ll find on my website:

I live in Perth, Western Australia with my wonderful husband and three beautiful girls. I love creating, good chats, music and quality time. I’m a homebody, a reforming do-er (I’m trying to learn to not always just ‘do’), a learner.

I’m also a qualified Occupational Therapist, and my training and work experiences have deeply shaped my appreciation for each individual’s story and unique life. Learning someone’s story is something I love and see as an honour. Sometimes I talk too much. Sometimes maybe I ask too many questions while we’re hanging out. But this all comes from my genuine interest to know a bit of your story. Hope you don’t mind.

I’m nostalgic at heart, so I when I think back I realise that a love of documenting real life through photos has been passed to me. Growing up, my wonderful Mum always had her camera with her. Her trusty Canon SLR, with its vinyl pouch, travelled the world with us a few times over. Every party. Every outing. Every day. We’ve got photos of it all! Heading to the photo lab was practically a weekly trip for us, and I always loved looking through each roll.

I hope you and your family love looking through your photos over and over again.

Images 2-4 taken by the amazing .nostalgiaseries x

Daily shenanigans.

While waiting for the perfect minute to share the many special photos from my time with these legends, I end up sharing nothing.

So here are some simple everyday moments. Moments in time that will be gone before they know it, but which will be etched as part of their story always. Romantic? Yes. True story? Also yes.

We got to warm our friends’ house a few weeks back with good food, good conversation, lots of small children, lots of loquat eating, more good food, prayer, and lots of joy.

I love documenting life. For me. For them. For you.

So much fun.

A year between mulberry hands and spaghetti hands.

Still squishy.

Still over here soaking them up, and regularly attempting to stop them from hitting sisters.

A close up photo can transport us to something just as much as a scene can. And hands…there are never too many photos of hands. 😍

The one who instilled in me a love of documenting lives.

Mama.

Now, and then.

I remember the smoke-stained sunlight when we hung out in 2023 was part eerie, part wonderful. Fun to be able to be back there earlier this year!

Absolutely love the privilege of being welcomed into a home more than once 🙏🏼.

Holidays with groups of friends, highly rated.

And, naturally, having photos taken of said holidays, also highly rated 😉

If you’ve got summer trips planned already, I’m so keen to talk options of how I can gatecrash and document some of it for you! This is where my photographer heart thrives, and I’d love to be your fly on the wall, so you can put your phone down and just be there with your friends or family.

Never underestimate the impact a photo from today might have decades from now.

Don’t put off photos because you’re waiting for something to be perfect. Embrace the imperfection- be it a cliche or not, I’m here wholeheartedly for it.

So much light (and shadow!) and love and joy with these five. I know photos here can feel like the highlight reels, but highlights sure are good to remember 😍

How special it was for me to get to spend time with and capture the beauty of my longtime friend . A kind, gentle and talented human with the most beautiful smile you ever did see.

Elizabeth runs online poetry classes, offers mentoring, facilitates gatherings of all sorts, and has recently finished the Emerging Writer’s Program. What a gem she is.

My sessions are available for small businesses of all kinds- artists, creatives, therapists, business gurus. For those who aren’t after perfection, but want to show a little bit of their real selves (sorry for my grammar, Elizabeth) to their customers or clients, and have their ‘brand’ reflect the actual reality of their day to day business work.

Touch base if that’s something that tickles your fancy.

Sometimes it’s the question (called to the next room that’s also covered with treasures), “WHY IS ALL THIS STUFF ON MY FLOOR???!”, othertimes it’s ‘grab the camera’ because one day this’ll be a faint memory.

Treasures of a bowerbird five-year-old: anything and everything.

Treasures of a two-year-old: big sister’s lip balm.