Today we’d like to introduce you to Bettynah Dely.
Hi Bettynah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always loved nature, although I didn’t fully understand that love at the time. I loved wandering, going on adventures, and allowing my eyes to notice the beauty around me—the peacefulness of a butterfly, the beauty of flowers blooming, and the greenery that so many of us pass by without ever really noticing. I’ll never forget that trip to North Carolina. I remember taking so many pictures along the way. I was in awe. I was with an ex at the time, and on the drive home I said, “I want to buy a camera.” I think he thought I was joking. Sure enough, when I got home, I went online to QVC. I’m still not sure why QVC—oh yeah, probably because of the payment plan!
And there it was: the Canon T5i. I knew absolutely nothing about cameras, brands, lenses, or settings. I simply bought the most affordable one I could at the time. And the rest is history. I started photographing anything I saw that carried beauty to me—the ducks in a pond, a bee sitting on a flower, a couple enjoying each other’s company over a picnic by the lake, or a woman sitting alone reading her book while a beautiful sunset unfolded right in front of her.
Those small, beautiful moments that we often miss or take for granted in our day-to-day lives became the moments I wanted to capture.
Of course, I also loved photographing my family and friends. I started posting my images on Facebook, and eventually people began reaching out to compliment my work, inquire about booking sessions, and tell me that I had an eye for photography and should pursue it professionally.
I didn’t believe them at first, but I pursued it anyway.
One of the most flattering moments of my journey happened while taking a photography class with a well-known DMV photographer, D. Todd. One day in our group chat, he asked, “Who’s BeeBeautifulPhotography?”
I immediately panicked. I had recently lost my job right before the pandemic and thought he was calling me out about a late payment! I privately messaged him asking him not to call me out publicly and explained my situation.
He responded, “I wasn’t calling you out, Ms. Bee. I truly wanted to say, ‘What are you doing in my class?’”
I was lost for words.
He explained that he genuinely thought my work was splendid. He told me I had an eye and simply needed to learn the fundamentals of photography.
“That moment stayed with me because, for the first time, someone else saw something in me that I was still learning to see in myself.”
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many photographers and models. I even modeled myself so I could understand what it felt like to be in front of the lens. That experience taught me so much about posing, vulnerability, and, most importantly, how to make the people I photograph feel comfortable.
I want people to bring their authentic selves in front of my camera. I want to show them a version of themselves they may not be able to see on their own.
I’ve had clients tell me they hate being photographed, that they aren’t photogenic, or that they’ve had difficult experiences with photographers before. But there is something about the way I capture my subjects.
I don’t just capture images. I tell stories. Their stories.
Over the years, I’ve explored weddings, events, sports, headshots, and other areas of photography. But none of them spoke to me the way portrait photography did—specifically, nature portrait photography.
Nature, to me, is God. There is something beautiful, peaceful, and healing about it. It reminds me to slow down and appreciate the beauty that already exists around me.
For a long time, people encouraged me to follow where the money was, but I ultimately decided not to let the world dictate the direction of my creativity. I chose to follow where my passion had been leading me from the beginning.
Back to nature.
Today, I primarily focus on creating portraits outdoors and in nature, allowing the environment to become part of the story rather than simply a backdrop.
Because BeeBeautifulPhotography is more than just a name.
It represents how I see.
It’s about seeing and bringing out the beauty within you—the beauty you may not recognize in yourself, but that I can see deep within you.
I don’t just want you to see a photograph.
I want you to see yourself differently.
That is BeeBeautifulPhotography.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and I’ve struggled along the way. To be honest, it’s something I still work through.
One of my biggest struggles has been learning to trust myself. I can be my own worst critic. I’m a perfectionist, and while that has pushed me to grow and continuously become better at what I do, it can also come at a cost. I can look at an image I’ve created and immediately think, “I could have done this better,” or “Maybe I should have done that differently.”
I’ve always had extremely high expectations for myself. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve, and sometimes I have to remind myself to stop analyzing and simply appreciate how far I’ve come.
The funny thing is, I can see beauty and potential in other people so easily, yet I’ve sometimes struggled to extend that same grace to myself.
Over the past few years, I’ve gotten much better at that. I’m learning that striving for excellence is different from demanding perfection from myself. I’m learning to trust my creative instincts, recognize my growth, and understand that every image doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
So, no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But some of my biggest struggles have also become some of my greatest lessons.
I’m still learning to trust myself, but I trust myself a lot more than I used to—and I think that growth has made me not only a better photographer, but a better artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is primarily focused on portrait photography, specifically nature-inspired portraits. I’ve explored different areas of photography over the years, but I’ve found that creating portraits outdoors is where I feel most creatively fulfilled.
I’ve also expanded beyond photography into video and content creation, which has allowed me to explore storytelling in a completely different way. I’ve had the opportunity to create content and work with brands such as True Lemon and ZAK Designs, which has been an exciting part of my growth as a creative.
What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve evolved. I started with a camera simply because I wanted to capture the beauty I saw around me, and today I’m able to turn that same vision into photography, video, and creative content.
What sets me apart is my perspective. I’m always looking for something beyond what’s immediately visible. Whether I’m photographing a person, creating a video, or working with a brand, I want to create something that feels intentional, authentic, and beautiful.
I think my greatest strength as an artist is simply the way I see.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s anything I’d want readers to take away from my story, it’s this: don’t allow fear, doubt, or other people’s expectations to talk you out of who you are becoming.
I’ve learned that life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine it will, and sometimes the path that feels uncertain is the very path leading us to where we’re meant to be. I’ve had moments where I questioned myself, doubted my abilities, and wondered if I was doing enough. But I kept going.
My motto in life is simple: trust the journey, trust God, and keep going.
You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just have to be willing to take the next step.
Sometimes the very thing you’re questioning about yourself is the thing that makes you unique. So embrace your story, honor your journey, and never be afraid to follow what genuinely speaks to you.
There is beauty in becoming—and I’m still becoming.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beebeautifulphotography.photos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beebeautifulphotography?igsi=MWo2bmQ3MXd0aWxi
