I’m Betsy Shonebarger. I live in Ohio with my wonderful [uber-fur-ball] dog, Nico. Like “had-to-buy-a-Roomba” furry. I grew up in Lancaster, Athens, and Centerville (don’t let that 937 area code fool you), which gave me the knack for meeting new people. I’m a literary junkie and outdoor enthusiast. If I show up to your shoot with a sunburn, I’ve either been laying by the pool reading or spent an afternoon on my kayak… and forgot my sunscreen. I surprisingly forget it often. I love good coffee, good music, good beer, and good food with GREAT company. There’s nothing I enjoy more than spending time laughing with my friends and family, and we laugh a lot. Even Nico laughs.
I developed a passion for photography in high school (go Elks), where I was fortunate enough to be on the staff of my school’s newspaper. We were armed with 35mm Canon Rebels and had an amazing darkroom at our disposal. We were legit. Then I ran off to Ohio University, studied Magazine Journalism and had a few beers, and was then thrust into the real world. “Get a job,” they said. So I did. In corporate America. Pantyhose and all. But I still had that passion for photography, so I took some of that corporate America pay and ordered a camera. Then a new lens… and another… and another… and well, wouldn’t you know it, I turned around and I had started my own business and quit that corporate America job (and burned the pantyhose).
And I couldn’t be happier doing what I love to do! But my passion isn’t just photography, it’s also the perk of getting to meet new people at each shoot and capturing special moments for you and your family. I don’t like the word “clients” – I prefer “new friends who just happen to hire me for my photography services.” Unfortunately, that’s a little long, and NFWJHTHMFMPS isn’t an easy acronym to remember. I can’t even remember sunscreen. So if you’re looking for a photographer, who truly wants to get to know you and give you the best experience possible, contact me today. I look forward to meeting you!