This time we are talking with Bernadette Horváth, a Budapest based photographer, a longtime friend of ours, whose work is shaped by motherhood and the essence of raw, holistic womanhood. Through her lens, she captures intimate, soulful moments that celebrate the beauty, strength, and vulnerability of life. Now we can read about her story & get to know her a little better.
Who or what inspired you to pursue an art career?
To be honest, I never had a Plan B. I've felt the call to create for as long as I can remember, since childhood—whether it’s writing, photography, or film. Looking back now, it's truly amazing that I was able to hear that call and stick with this authentic impulse. To this day.
Can you share an important moment in your life or career that shaped your artistic or entrepreneurial path?
My first pregnancy, the birth of my daughter, and the raw, real emotions that came with it deeply shaped my approach to art. Since then, I’ve felt brave enough to observe a subject up close, whether it relates to my specific style of image creation, intimacy, or the skin-to-skin connection. I’ve become much bolder in portraiture as well. It became clear that I need to work with women, with mothers. In fact, everything I know with my heart, I learned from women.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Mostly, I struggle with internal challenges, such as imposter syndrome, which sometimes is stronger and sometimes less so—but it’s always present in my life. It’s like there’s a voice in my head constantly whispering: you don’t deserve success, you’re not good enough, you’re not talented, you have to earn love. Because of this, I start a lot of things, but under the influence and pressure of this inner voice, I give up quickly. I’m working on myself, constantly addressing this issue: I don’t want to pass this burden onto my daughters.
Balancing business career while being a mum can be challenging. How do you find that balance?
The boundaries often blur. How long am I just a working woman, and when does my motherhood begin? Is there even a boundary? I believe that in today’s world, mothers carry an extra heavy burden, and I feel this in my own skin. What I can do is make sure that when I’m at home with the kids, I don’t sit at the laptop (it wouldn’t be possible anyway, since my youngest is only 2), nor do I take business calls in their presence, and I try not to stress about work in my mind either. What helps: a flexible partner, my husband, who is also an entrepreneur, so fortunately, we always manage to find a way for me to have uninterrupted time to work. I often experience a sense of guilt in one of my roles because I’m not fully present in the other. There are amazing mindfulness practices for this: conscious presence and various breathing exercises. When I’m “just” a mom, I put 100% into it, and when I need to be present at a photoshoot, I’m fully there with my heart and presence for the person I’m photographing. It can’t be any other way.
Beyond your creative pursuits, what are your other passions and how do they influence your work?
I am passionately interested in the world of human relationships and psychology. On my journey of self-discovery, I’ve learned a lot—and continue to learn—about childhood traumas, their healing, and the deeper understanding of emotions. This has had a significant impact on my work as well.
Are there any women whom you consider role models?
I have immense respect for all the entrepreneurial mothers who, alongside their families, are able to nurture themselves and their communities.
What advice do you have for women who are aspiring to make a mark in the art/business world?
If you had asked me 10-15 years ago, I would have said that you need to gain a lot of experience, work for years, even for free. Being present in the scene and making many personal and social connections at different events. Because that’s how I did it. But now, in 2025, I see that things work very differently. I think it’s much easier to "be seen," and the tools needed for creative work are much more accessible. So, on one hand, it’s easier to succeed, but on the other hand, I feel that "back then," it was much simpler to be original and to create something original. So, if your heart is in the right place, and you know yourself—meaning you understand what your authentic, true self is and what your path is, the one that is uniquely yours in this world—then you can't go too far off course. It’s also clear that the generation(s) coming after me already have confidence down to a fine art.
Describe your ideal creative space. What elements make it inspiring for you?
Two things come to mind, one of which is surprising to me too, because I don’t usually think of it in this context... So, as a child, I loved peeking into other people’s homes, whether I was invited over or if, walking down the street, I caught glimpses of family moments through someone’s window. Now, I wasn’t a peeping tom or anything like that. I was just really interested in people, family dynamics, how people live, and experiencing, even for a brief moment, being part of their lives in some way. In my work, it’s similar—I mostly "go to the people," and we create photos in the comfort of their own homes, under the most natural circumstances. So, the ideal creative space for me can be anywhere where there’s good chemistry between people.
The other thing that came to mind when thinking about this question is, of course, light. Natural light, which is essential for creating beautiful imagery. I love playing with natural light.
What's your go-to comfort food when you need a pick-me-up?
Fried cheese. Anytime, in any amount. It’s been like this since I was about 4 years old. :)
Do you have a guilty pleasure TV show that you enjoy binge-watching?
Friends. Just listening to the dialogues from this show feels like coming home.
If you could teleport to any place in the world right now, where would it be?
I’d spend a few days in Sweden, in the archipelago, immersed in nature, strictly alone. Then, from there, I’d teleport to a nice warm place—hmm, let’s say Bali, and I’d bring the family along for that part! :)
What's your morning ritual that sets a positive tone for the day?
This is mostly fantasy, because our mornings are very rushed ever since my older daughter started school. Waking up to an alarm clock, rushing around—grrr...
But if I could manage it, I’d definitely wake up earlier than the kids, drink a big glass of lukewarm lemon water, take a shower, put on a face mask, read a few pages of my current book, make breakfast, and wake up the family with a big hug. Well... I’m pretty far from that right now. But maybe someday it will happen.
Most-used Emoji: 🫠
What was your absolute favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
The Lion King
Do you have an unexpected or quirky talent that people might not know about?
I’m naturally left-handed, but I can do everything with my right hand as well (except writing).
Is there something unusual or unexpected that you have in your wardrobe? What is your favorite piece of clothing and why?
The current most special piece is a jacket made from a vintage Indian blanket, which I originally bought for my older daughter’s 7th birthday. But I liked it so much that I had one made for both her and myself. The other item is a pair of corduroy pants from a South Korean designer that I just can’t stop wearing. They’re the most comfortable thing in the world. I’m actually wearing them in the photos too.
Could you describe your clothing style? What do you most like to wear?
Natural, comfortable, and timeless. Warm earth tones, natural materials (linen, cotton, wool), and layering are what define my style. I love loose-fitting, minimalist pieces that are both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. There’s a mix of vintage and minimalist elements, with a touch of bohemian outdoor vibes. I enjoy wearing oversized sweaters and cardigans, linen shirts, and wide-legged, comfortable, elastic-waist pants. I like when the silhouettes of clothes are simple, and I specifically avoid anything with writing on it. I think there’s only one item with a logo in my wardrobe—a baseball cap that says HOLIDAY.
Which is your favorite OAT AVA piece? What are 3 words that first come to your mind about OAT AVA products?
I absolutely love the cardigan shown in the picture, I wear it very often. It’s great for layering, but in warmer weather, it also stands well on its own.
OAT AVA represents naturalness, slow living, creativity, and warmth for me. The brand is very dear to my heart :)
Favorite movie:
I Origins, Her, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Country you haven't visited yet but would like to:
Canada
Superpower you'd like to have:
I’d love to have a little clock-like thing that’s always in my pocket, something that could stretch time for me, or stop it for a moment, allowing me to linger. But now that I think about it, that’s exactly what I do with photography! :) Wow! I have superpowers!
One thing you'd change in the World:
I would erase injustice.
Three things you're very grateful for:
My children, my profession, my journey of self-discovery, and the constant opportunity for growth.
