Bernice Isley, Mess Of A Dreamer Photography

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Bernice Isley. I am 41 years old. I am a wife (just celebrated 13 years of marriage) and the mother of 3 beautiful children. I am originally from Randolph County, NC and now reside in Raleigh, NC.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

What I love most about Raleigh is the diversity! I'm from a very small town and I have lived in Raleigh for 15 years now. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I run Mess Of A Dreamer Photography. My main focus is maternity, newborn and family sessions. I have always loved photography and one day I just finally decided it was what I really wanted to do in life. My photography helps customers create memories that they can look back on for generations to come!

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

I would say that if you are looking to start a business, be prepared to research. There's so much more than just providing a service. Everything that goes on behind the scenes is where all the extreme hard work comes into play. Especially with marketing.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

I get called “the baby whisperer” quite often. My patience is often praised. It's a huge compliment to me. I pride myself on taking extra care of other people's precious babies and memories.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I would like to just continue to grow and meet new families. It's so exciting to see them grow through the years.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

That all we do is click a button. It's very disheartening. We put our hearts and souls into creating memories and moments. Once we leave the session, our work isn't over. Editing is a huge part of the process.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

Marketing. When I first decided to start out, I just thought, “Hey, I will create this website and post a few things here and there and people will come.” I learned quickly that was not the case. Since then, I have researched and learned a lot.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Taylor Swift was and still is my favorite music artist. I have watched her grow from the early days and it's been such a journey watching her throughout the years.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Grateful for the other small local businesses in the area. We all network and help each other a lot. Running a small business isn't easy. It has been such a blessing to have others who understand the ups and downs.