Hello!
My name is Gretchen Bahr! If you’re here, it is likely because you are considering hiring me to capture a very meaningful occasion or season in the life of you & your family, & you are wondering if we are be a good fit for each other! Aferall, photography is an important investment, & you want to get it just right. So let me tell you a little bit about me!
First & Foremost an Artist
There was never a question of what my future career and lifestyle would be- it was always art for me. It began when I was a little child and has not quit me since- the noticing and the wonder. Noticing the way lights and shadows can make a place feel… The way texture, lines, color, value, movement, repetition, and composition can make the mundane pop with life and fresh interest… The unique features that make every individual a beautiful work of art. I notice the beauty of Creation everywhere I look, and it creates a perpetual sense of wonder and inspiration in me. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to combine my lifelong passion for art and observation with my love and compassion for people through Faith Photography!
Working With Faith Photo
The tagline “In Search of Something Real” emerged in my heart a few years ago. There is a growing pressure in our society to stage and snap every detail of our lives in order to push forth a certain narrative/image of who we are… or at least how we want others to view us. My focus (no pun intended) has gravitated toward soulful inner beauty, genuine moments, meaningful places- and yes- the exterior qualities, too, that make you you. You are precious and you are enough! Let’s let YOU shine. Working with Faith Photography begins with a relationship. If you’re a senior, I want to know a little bit about your interests, style, gifts, desires, and what makes you unique. If you are a newly engaged couple, I want to know about your love story, what draws you to each other, the places that are special to you, and your vision for your engagement session and wedding day- let’s get coffee and chat all things wedding! I do not work in the confines of a traditional studio, but have always considered the world to be my studio. Because of my amazing powers of observation (haha), I know of a LOT of awesome places we can photograph based on your personality, style, and interests. I am also always open to new ideas. I work with each client to customize their session/wedding day ahead of time so they are free to relax and shine in their own unique ways in front of the camera. Crisp, clear, colorful, and composed photography is Step 1. Delightful, realistic, polished, and fresh photo styling is Step 2. I have developed my own “FP styling,” beginning with utilizing the best natural light and backgrounds, top-of-the-line professional cameras and Canon L-series lenses, and a personalized “digital darkroom” where I carefully edit your images to my artistic standards.
**My ultimate goal is to bring each image to life, while maintaining the natural, organic feel of the moment and place and YOU! Your unique story + my unique style is what sets Faith Photography’s work apart.**
About Me
I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin’s charming Lake Country area, specifically in Hartland. Rolling hills, woods, prairies, crop fields, and animals farms were literally everywhere you looked back then, and of course, the many beautiful bodies of water that give it the name “Lake Country.” My best friends lived on the same road, and we were obsessed with horses and pioneering, practically living outdoors at my parents’ riverfront property. Lake Country really has been a huge source of wonder and inspiration to me, and it is still the primary area in which I photograph senior portraits and wedding events. A few years ago, however, my husband Mark and I chased country-living a bit west. We encountered an incredible opportunity and bought a 20 acre homestead north of Watertown, Wi! It has been quite the adventure… my childhood dreams of becoming a pioneer were basically realized for a while, and many sacrifices were made. But true to my nature, I saw the beauty in this neglected, junky, overgrown parcel, and my heart has come alive restoring it to its natural beauty alongside my man. We have been married for almost 8 years, and together we love deeply: Jesus, each other, our 2 miracle children Eliana & Judah, our families, friends, communities, and clients. I thank God every day for the gifts of truth, joy, hope, and freedom he has restored to my life and to my spirit.
Gretchen’s Little Loves
*Being a stay-at-home mama & keeper of our home… with music playing, a candle burning, & chai in hand*
*NATURE HIKES!!! I know all. the. trails, from here to Holy Hill*
*Snuggling up with a blanket & my Bible… I am a child of YHWH & a disciple of His son Yeshua,
& I LOVE learning about their ways & stories*
*Dance parties & playing at the park with my kiddos- they are wonderful little companions!*
*Creating nutritious meals & implementing healthy practices in our home… milling my own flour for bread, muffins,
& even our last few birthday cakes, has been a new passion project of mine*
*Adventures with my hubby, whether it is date nights or boating days; trips to Farm & Fleet or trips to Maui*
Thank you for stopping by my blogsite and for considering Faith Photography in your own “search for something real.”
~ Gretchen Bahr
**Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram are a great way to stay connected with me and see my latest work!**
