Meet Bernice Isley | Newborn and Family Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bernice Isley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bernice, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose the artistic/creative career of being a photographer because it allows me to capture and express the beauty, emotions, and stories that surround us. Photography is a powerful medium that enables me to freeze moments in time, convey unique perspectives, and communicate with audiences on a profound level. Through my lens, I can document the world in a way that transcends words, evoking emotions and sparking connections. This creative journey enables me to continuously explore and share the diverse and intricate tapestry of life, making photography a deeply fulfilling and meaningful pursuit for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Raleigh Newborn and Family photographer. I adore this profession and most days it doesn’t actually feel like a job. I think what sets me apart from others is my unique ability to capture genuine, emotional moments and create a comfortable, enjoyable experience for families sets me apart in the world of family and newborn photography.

It definitely hasn’t been easy getting to where I am. Covid happened and change the world forever, that’s not unique to me, but it certainly played a role in my business. No one wanted to have photos taken while the world was shutdown. I just kept continuing in my journey and used all the downtime to further my education. Thankfully the world started to venture back out!

One of the main things that I learned along the way is that community goes a long way! The relationships I have built have been amazing! Seeing families return to me year after year and seeing them grow just warms my heart!

I would want the world to know that I adore capturing memories for their families and giving them something that can be treasured for many generations to come!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Raleigh, NC I would start by taking them to downtown Raleigh. There are tons of amazing restaurants I would want us to visit! Brewery Bhavana is so good! And then we would head to Bittersweet for dessert! There are a few breweries we could hop around to and have a few drinks! In regards of hanging out, aside from breweries, there are a ton of parks around to explore. I would absolutely take them to the NC Museum of Art. It is such a beautiful area with so much to see! We would likely pop by the farmer’s market at some point!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my best friend, Sarah Kernodle, and my photographer friends (we have a text chat called “The Perfect Click”) Sarah has been my friend for 11 years. She has been supportive in any and everything I have ever done, and this rings true especially in my photography business. I send her galleries for input from a non photographer view.
“The Perfect Click” consist of my photographer friends, Kristin & Lauren. I am so grateful for their daily support. We can talk to each other about the business, our edits, and just anything at all to do with photography, and at the same time, have grown to become great friends! We have even taken each others photos!

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 (myself)