Get to know me and what I do!
Hi guys.. I wanted a place I could be very candid.. and buckle up because your going to get it all on here.. This is going to be my honest space.. we are going to talk about everything ...you are about to get to know me, and by me, I mean the real me! This blog isnt always going to be about photography .. Its going to be about everything.. After all I am a real person with real problems and troubles.. just like you!
I want to start out by saying, I am the mom of 6 kids ( Hayley 31, Hayden 25, Heath 25, Houston 23, Hudson 18, and Harlow 13 ), and 2 bonus daughters (Michaelle 41 and Rachaelle 39, for a grand total of eight wonderful children. I have 10 Grandchildren currently and baby number 11 is on the way , due in March... I have raised kids with all types of personalities and styles. One could imagine that our house was full and always busy.. Well you aint wrong .. It was and still is...We worked hard, but as you can also imagine with that many children, money was tight at times... well most of the time to be honest...I stayed home for many years and mothered my children. I breastfed each one, some longer than others but none of them less than a year. After all when I was small ..I asked God to just let me be a mama .. that was the only job I ever desired..
I have always had a passion for photography one could say.. I just loved a pretty picture.. I found the greatest pictures in my life were the ones that had my kids in them. I have had some bad experiences with photographers when my children were growing up. I live out in the country and if you have been out here you know it's a haul. I had a photographer booked for a family session one time and she arrived late, frazzled and mad AT ME! I didn't understand why she was mad with me... but later explained "she was lost and had a hard time finding my home". We showed our photographer the location we had picked out on our beautiful property, and when all of my littles gathered around, she seemed super short and annoyed with them. I thought to myself "she must hate her job". We managed to get through the session without me choking her or popping off (that was a plus), but what I was left with were thoughts. I said to myself " Ill just capture my owns moments for them next time " so the journey began, new camera in tow and I just began taking pictures.
The start of Tonya Bennett Photography was a mama that wanted beautiful pictures of her kids! If you would have told me 15 years ago, I was going to be a photographer.. I would have laughed at you. It just goes to show that the old saying is true "if you want to make God laugh, tell him YOUR plans" . Now here I am.. a whole photographer. Guess what I LOVE MY JOB! I always thought I was bound for greatness.. after all... don't we all think that.. I was going to be a nurse. I was going to save lives.. I didn't become the nurse...What I have learned .... is that God had me do just that , (save lives) but in a different way.. God had me preserve lives, through my photos.. he had me document lives, smiles, laughter, last moments, and most important he gave me the ability to freeze time. Time is the one thing we cant get back, but we can freeze it...
I just turned 50 this year. No I am not in a midlife crisis ,(even though Menopause makes me feel like it) but I have had an awakening of sort. While I have always known pictures were important ..it just hits a little differently in this phase of my life. I have realized at this moment in my life.. I have now lived the biggest majority of the years god is giving me.. Now we all know .. we don't know when our number is up , but that's all the more reason to live each day like its your last.. To do and fulfill all of our bucket list, dreams, and really say to yourself ..if tomorrow never comes.. I know that seems kinda morbid, but its true... The times I have heard women say "I want to do pictures with you when I drop some weight. This is by far the most quoted saying I hear.. Listen I get it.. we all want to look our best in pictures.. You have no idea the pictures I have tossed of me... simply because... because I looked fat, my hair wasn't done, I didn't have makeup on, LOOK AT THOSE DOUBLE CHINS , and the list goes on and on. The truth of it all is.. I have to tell myself..get over it Tonya.. My family dont and won't care if I had 10 extra lbs on me, or my hair in a ball cap.. they will be happy to have memories and pictures of me.. Smiling, living, and doing life with them.. My camera roll is embarrassing to say the least .. but I love it because its reality, and when I am gone.. someone has a treasure trove to unlock..
. God is and has been good to me.. My advise ...( not that you asked ) Take the picture..take the trip.. be real and love yourself.. Yes those lines on your face (me) are getting stronger, but thats also a gift.. The alternative is not reaching an age to see those lines.. I have the same feelings about things as most of you. I am trying to structure a peaceful transition from my young 20 year old self to my new 50 year old self.. AND I think I like her. Sure I miss those 2 piece bathing suits and skinny jeans.. but in all honesty I am okay with me.. I am okay with this place in life I currently live.. Its more relaxed, I get to enjoy my kids and grandkids and I get to just put a ballcap on and be preset in life and pictures.. I get my huge family together at least one time a year for the big picture.. YES its crazy and no the kids dont always act right.. BUT... we have it.. we get to watch our family grow and see how it changes year to year.. I dont really enjoy being on that side of the camera , but I do it.. for them.. love yall
