When  the  right  words  matter...

Choose a national award-winning journalist to bring your story to life. Whether you're a small business looking to update your marketing material, an author in search of an editor, or a professional in need of the perfect speech, I can help you find the right words to effectively reach your audience with efficiency. With over fifteen years of professional editorial experience, and work appearing in the Denver Post, Arizona Republic, and Los Angeles Times, I have the tools to maximize your potential.

Contact me to learn how the right words can transform your business from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Back Story

While I love being behind the lens, writing called shotgun on my heart. I wrote and published my first magazine, Neigh (an every-once-in-awhile publication for horse lovers everywhere), at the tender age of seven. I went on to secretly write for my high school's underground newspaper, The Voice, under the most awesome pseudonym ever, Burgundy Rose. My first 'real' gig began during my freshman year of college with a monthly column chronicling the hairspray, sequins and hoofprints of my rodeo queen travels in America's Bridle & Bit. It was also around this time that Marie Claire magazine credited me as the inventor of the word 'queening,' a concept later discussed in detail by Renee Laegreid in her book, Riding Pretty: Rodeo Royalty in the American West.

I served the requisite time to walk away with a degree in Communication from Arizona State University and my first "real" news job came after I convinced the Editor of College Times to hire me by having a pizza delivered with one piece missing. After all, I was the 'missing piece.' Clever, I know. I would later go to work for Ahwatukee Monthly magazine. Best day on the job was interviewing and photographing Arizona Cardinals player Adrian Wilson and his family in their amazing, ultra-modern home. Second best was hanging out with Amare Stoudemire. And I'm not even a big sports nut.

From there I landed the role that tested every bit of patience, skill and courage I could muster. At the tender age of 25, I became Editor of the up-and-coming Maricopa Monitor newspaper. I poured my heart, my soul, and literal blood, sweat and tears into the fledgling publication, taking it from a once weekly eight page tab, to a full size, twice-weekly, 24 page newspaper in a matter of months. It was my baby. I was sitting at my desk, on deadline, when the e-mail came. "Congratulations …. To the Monitor for Community Service Excellence and to Betsy for Best Headline, Best Photograph, Best News Story from the Arizona Newspaper Association." I started hyperventilating.  It was only our first year of eligibility, and we literally swept our category. We would go on to win dozens of awards from the Arizona Press Club, Arizona Newspaper Association, Arizona Press Women and National Federation of Press Women over the next three years, including being recognized personally for the best national news photo. 

Three years of 80-hour work weeks, never-ending deadlines and not a single vacation was enough to burn me out. I was ready for a new adventure and as fate would have it, the City of Casa Grande was in need of a new Public Information Officer. The fit was perfect and we enjoyed a few good years together before the Mayor of Goodyear came calling. I couldn't resist the opportunity to move back to the big city of Phoenix or the title of Mayor's Chief of Staff. Together we lobbied to bring good to the West Valley, focusing on developing opportunities for higher education, improving transportation and securing the future of Luke Air Force Base with the F-35. 

While I loved the people I worked with, it didn't take long for me to realize that I really wasn't a G-man. I felt like I was on a diet and constantly craved storytelling. Fortunately, Cancer Treatment Centers of America was in need of a good storyteller. I went to work at a place that brought hope and healing into my life. I was blessed to tell the stories of cancer fighters and their loved ones. Some became lifelong friends. Others passed too soon. But each brought joy and laughter and optimism into my life - something I hadn't expected from working in a cancer hospital. I was the happiest I had ever been.

Fate had other plans for me, however, as I fell in love with an F-16 pilot and the Air Force sent us off to Alabama. It was time for me to finally spread my wings as well and to launch my own business. Studio By Betsy Batish was born. Initially, I focused on writing, photography and design but I would quickly run out of hours in the day. In 2012, I scaled back to focus exclusively on writing and photography and settled in to a comfortable stride. I was also honored by the National Federation of Press Women for writing, photography and design. I've been blessed with the most amazing corporate and non-profit clients who trust me to tell their stories in words, and with amazing couples who trust me to capture their once-in-a-lifetime moments through the camera lens. 

In July of 2012, the Air Force decided we'd had enough rain and sent us to one of the hottest, windiest and driest places on earth, the Mojave Desert. Looks like we will be here in the Antelope Valley, specifically Lancaster, California, for a few years, which is just fine with me. I love the endless mountain views, the opportunity to ride horses anytime I get the urge, and yes, even the sonic booms (we're located in a corridor for testing) and dry heat. I travel pretty much every month to the most amazing places to work with my clients, including Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago and Phoenix. And my sweet little dog, Angel, keeps me company when I'm working from home. 

Now that really is enough about me. I want to know about you. I want to tell your story. Whether it's with the pen or the camera, I'm ready to make you shine. Because your stories are what bring me life.

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Recent Publications

Click on each image to see related published content.

Cancer Fighters Thrive Fall 2014 Cover Story/ Special Feature
Author

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Cancer Fighters Thrive
Spring 2014
Cover Photo
Feature Story
Author and Photographer

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Cancer Fighters Thrive
Summer 2014
Wellness Feature
Author

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Range Magazine
Summer 2014
Outback Photography Contest Winner

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Equestrian Culture Magazine
Winter 2014
Photography Contest Winner

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