Meet Annabel Braithwaite | photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annabel Braithwaite and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annabel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Two decades ago, I came together with another photographer, Dorothée, intending to create a boutique wedding photography company. We were excited to navigate the course of our own business and thought working under a brand name would be best.

In coming up with a business name, we thought to mesh our first names together and came up with Belathée Photography. We started our business in New York City. Dorothée has lived in Seattle for years, and I am still out of Eastl.   We work now together or separately depending on the assignment.

We aspired to find clients looking for something different from what was out there at the time. We were hopeful that our work would take us far and wide. To date, we have photographed weddings in 28 countries and many states here in the US.

Please open up a bit about your work and career. We’re big fans and love for our community to learn more about your work.

Initially, We specialized in weddings but wanted not to be pigeonholed as such. Back then, only a few wedding photographers successfully went back and forth between choice commercial assignments and weddings it seemed to us.

We have successfully worked for small business owners, families, restaurants, charities, brands, and engaged couples. Recently we launched a new website. Belathée Fine Arts is a collection of arty outtakes from our travels with camera in hand.

Additionally, a handful of our clients have launched businesses and asked to create imagery for them. We are always honored to do so.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Since we work so often in Miami, it is a second home.

I love the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. Casa Tua and the Cadet Hotel have beautiful garden settings.

Carrot Express, Mandolin, Under the Mango Tree, are delicious. Vizcaya in Coral Gables is stunning.

I love the ocean water, breeze, and sunsets in Miami.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I am grateful to have attended the University of Oregon. A few years after graduating, I moved from Oregon to Seattle for a great program at Seattle Central Community College. It was there that I got my legs for the pursuit of a photographic career.

SCC had an excellent program back in the day for photography. The school had a very international

student body. It was affordable and thorough. We learned how to use 4×5 cameras and darkroom techniques as well as newly emerging digital technology.

Dorothée and I both attended the school but a few years apart. My brother Mark introduced us, and we decided to try working together. Within a few months, we got invited to St. Jean Cap Ferrat, France, to photograph a wedding of a fantastic couple, Suelyn & Julien Farel. They have a salon in New York City and Palm Beach. We still work with them from time to time as they need new imagery for the salon.

Our longstanding relationships with clients are invaluable. Support from family has been a constant. It’s been about work ethic, relationships, trustworthiness, consistency, and fun. We love a good dance floor here at Belathée Photography.

Website: www.belathee.com

Instagram: @belathee

Website: https://www.belatheefinearts.com

Instagram: @belatheefinearts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belathee/