Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernadette Hursh.
Hi Bernadette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From my first disposable camera in the ’90s to now, I’ve always known my greatest loves to be nature, animals, and photography.
I spent much of my childhood hiking the midwestern woods with my dog by my side and a camera in hand. By high school, I was signing up for every art and photography class I could fit into my schedule. I continued my education in photography in western Colorado, where I explored fine art and conceptual imaging and learned technical skills both in and out of the photo studio.
I returned to Kansas City after college, despite my teenage self insisting I’d never move back. Over a decade later and I still couldn’t be happier to call KC home. My career has included many different types of photography. I’ve produced images for real estate, products, events, portraits, lifestyle and more. l have been able to showcase my fine art landscape work through ArtsKC. I also have enjoyed many years shooting events for The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. I’ve been so fortunate to have—pun intended—exposure to many different photographic fields.
Over time I’ve worked hard to begin specializing in the type of images I love most. I’m a product photographer by day, spending my 9–5 playing with light and color in the studio. The rest of my time is spent with my cameras and my animals, preferably somewhere by a creek.
I had one big dream my whole life: to own a horse. I purchased my stunning (and very anxious) mare in 2021, and it has been both a challenging and deeply fulfilling journey. In the years since, I’ve had the opportunity to capture lifestyle and branding images for local equine facilities as well as meaningful portraits of people and their horses. I love capturing the connection between human and horse, the land that sustains them, and all the beautiful, wild, and silly characteristics of horses.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest challenges for me has been balancing my love of creating art and making a living. Photography is my passion, but it is also my career. This has come with numerous challenges both financially and spiritually. It can be difficult to differentiate work and play through the lens, but I think that the ultimate goal is be harmonious in the two.
I have tried hard to make sure I was always booking shoots when I could. There were definite moments of doubt that I would be able to do what I love and pay the bills doing it. I’ve had to take plenty of steps back to look at the road ahead and plan my path accordingly. I’ve worked my fair share of odd jobs to get to where I am today. Diverse freelancing shoots have given me a stronger technical foundation and helped me identify what areas I am most passionate about.
I’ve struggled to define my work style throughout my career, from what details I will control on set or in the field to how I approach retouching and editing. At the end of the day, I just want to make beautiful photographs with engaging compositions. I seek to cater to my clients’ visions while upholding my artistic identity. I have become less concerned about setting rigid rules for myself, and more concerned with making images that are emotionally fulfilling for my clients and myself. I believe practicing this has offered growth in my work and inner peace in a world saturated with media.
I struggle most with social media and the pressure to always be posting and creating content. I have taken quite a step back from this lately. I love to share my work but have shifted to focus more on quality over quantity. I want my clients to love the work I create for them, instagram likes or not. This of course comes with challenges in marketing. I rely primarily on word of mouth and my website and secondarily on social media. This has reinforced to me what a wonderfully personal and connected community Kansas City is.
The journey has not always been smooth. However, the journey is mine and I appreciate all it has taught me about myself, my art, and my clients.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It has been incredible to be practicing two fairly dichotomous kinds of photography the last few years.
Product photography involves a lot of planning and problem solving. Working in a studio five days a week has challenged me to be creative, but also very focused and detail oriented. It has allowed me to have a deeper understanding of how to bring a product to life by balancing the use of light, color and texture.
Equine / Event photography requires me to be in the moment, and contrary to the studio, I have control of very few details. Working in motion to find composition, light and expression is highly rewarding to me. It has taught me to flow with my subject(s) and let life and light happen organically.
Most importantly, I want my work to make a difference to someone; whether that be documenting memories with their animal companion, inspiring them with a fine art photo, or being able to portray their crafted product with great care.
As I continue photographing horses, their riders, and equine facilities, I always have a growing list of what I aspire to highlight through my images. I would love to document a working ranch and equine events of all disciplines, or to do product imaging for handcrafted equine goods and local tack shops. From farmers to vets and farriers, I want to meet and photograph all the wonderful, hardworking people in and around KC that care for horses from head to tail (and hoof). I would also love to volunteer some time to shoot for any equine therapy programs in the metro who are needing imagery.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My first reaction is to say I am not a risk taker, but I think my loved ones would disagree.
I have taken many risks in pursuit of my career. Moving out of state to study photography was a challenge. I took a big risk in choosing to follow the path of a creative career, especially as the daughter and sister of lawyers (yes, all four of them). I’ve been through a number of health challenges as well and have risked a great deal of discomfort to provide myself space for healing, energy for art, and continued career growth.
One of my favorite risks I’ve taken, admittedly, was buying my horse, Eska. I took a big chance on a big creature. I knew a couple basics from horseback riding lessons as a child, but honestly, I risked a lot call a mare I knew next to nothing about, mine. This has changed my life profoundly (as well as my husband’s – sorry John)!
This risk has taught me things I didn’t even know that I so desperately needed to learn. It taught me to be brave and proved to me I can navigate many uncertain situations. It taught me to be present, giving me so many quiet moments in a very loud world. It taught me to build trust with myself and build trust with my mare. This has been especially challenging having experienced a significant portion of life (20+ years for both of us) without one another. We both had, and have, a lot to heal from and what I blessing it has been to do it together. I could write a book on all the things I’ve learned throughout my journey with Eska so far. I will have to wait on that as I know more life lessons are in store. She’s good at making sure of that.
This 1000 lb. purchase was a risk that has required hard work, patience and dedication to myself and my mare. I am so very proud of where we are versus where we started. My sweet old painted gal has lead me to meeting wonderful people and wonderful horses. I’d like to give her a special thanks for being extra challenging at times. These challenges have broadened my understanding of the world of equines in all its complexity and helped me appreciate so many different facets of what it takes to care for these creatures. It’s both truly difficult and incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to continue to photograph horses and the many people who have risked so much to love and care for them.
I don’t seek out risk, but I know it will always find its way to me and I’ll probably take it (aka buy the horse).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bernadettehurshphotography.com
- Instagram: @brhursh @bernadettehurshphotography
