Staying focused

For Bethany Althauser, communications studies major at Wright State University, a great photograph is one that captures good composition and genuine emotion in a single picture.

Althauser should know. She began snapping photos with a 35 mm camera as a child and a decade later started her own company, Bethany Elizabeth Photography LLC, when she was a junior at Anna High School.

“My first client was actually a doctor’s office in Sidney,” said Althauser. “They wanted updated portraits of their workers, and I only charged $25.”

Althauser picked up her first digital camera when she was in fifth grade and began competing in 4-H still photography contests as a teen.

Now a sophomore at Wright State, she has been working as a professional photographer for three years. She specializes in engagement, wedding and senior high school photography.

Bethany Althauser, communications studies major at Wright State, started her photography business while in high school. (Photo by Erin Pence)

“I really feel like my degree in communications is going to help my photography business by making me a better communicator during sessions when I’m trying to communicate with my clients,” said Althauser.

Althauser attended Thomas More University in Kentucky for a semester before transferring home to Wright State. Since she enrolled at Wright State, she has been able to expand her business.

“I love being close to home,” she said.

Althauser’s future plans are to grow her photography business and work in marketing or social media for another company besides her own.