Women and Business: Rebekah Westover
![Registered Commenter Registered Commenter](/layout/iconSets/light/user-registered.png)
![Comments Comments](/layout/iconSets/light/comment.png)
**All images in this post are copyright Rebekah Westover.**
NEXT WEEK: Lisa Maksoudian
Rebekah, it's so wonderful to have you on my blog and part of the Women and Business series. I've adored you since I first met you and have always loved your easy going attitude. You've developed such a beautiful style and business and at the same time you manage to make time for things the other things that are important to you. I'm excited you are willing to share some of that with us!
You seem completely smitten with your husband, how do you keep that so alive when you are so busy?
Even when I'm busy there is always time for a movie night, a bubble
bath, or a date night. Sometimes I feel like I'm busy 24-7, but when
I really think about it I'm NOT! There is always time for making
relationships stronger. Bottom line is I have to MAKE time. I like
to try to get my work done on the computer by 5:30, put my daughter to
bed by 8:30, and then spend the evening alone with my husband. It's
so good for our relationship. In my busy season (the summer and fall)
this isn't always possible as I'm shooting most evenings. But even a
foot rub at bedtime, or just laying in bed at night talking keeps the
love strong in our relationship. I can honestly say that I look at my
husband everyday and think "I love this man." Apart from doing
things to keep the love alive, I truly feel that my husband is my soul
mate so being smitten with him really comes naturally.
What do you do outside of being a mother and photographer/business owner to have fun?
Always a girls night once a month, and a monthly lunch gathering with
a few fellow photographers. I love reading books and People magazine
in a hot bath. It is such an escape. Skiing, traveling, taking
pictures of my daughter, going for walks, eating good food, going to
the movies....oh the list goes on.
What is life like for you on a daily basis?
It really depends on the season. In the summer I'm at work on the
computer by 9 a.m. until 5:30. I will grab a quick bite and then head
out for an on-location shoot. I usually get home around 8 or 8:30.
I'd like to say I take it easy at this point but I don't. I usually
eat dinner, put my daughter to bed, and then hop back on the computer
to edit, design albums, fulfill orders, answer emails, etc. etc. I
finally go to bed around 1 or 2 a.m. It's a lot to handle at times,
but really it's only like this about 6 months out of the year. In the
winter and spring things are much more manageable and I have tons more
time to spend with my family. It's a good balance for me because I'm
not insanely busy the entire year.
What do you think are the most important things you do as a mom every day?
I like to give undivided attention to my daughter everyday. Usually
this happens at bedtime when it's just me and her reading stories,
snuggling, and singing songs. This is such an important time for me
and my daughter. I also really like to cook for my family, have sit
down dinners at home, and keep a clean and organized house. I feel
more at peace when I'm serving my family and have a clean home. It
truly makes me happy.
What do you think are the top three things you must do as a business woman every day?
1- Setting goals. I think it's so important to have goals for your
business. To have something to reach for. And then when you achieve
those goals, it feels so good! I always like to make goals for
myself. It lets me know how far I've come, and how far I want to go.
2- Be confident! I don't really know how to elaborate on this. I
just know from experience that if you are confident, then people trust
you and are confident in you as a person, a photographer, etc.
3- Make relationships. I think it's important to make meaningful
relationships in business. Not just "networking" and trite social
relationships. But REAL relationships. I can honestly say that I have
clients that I adore and truly care about. And some of the
photographer's that I've become friends with are amazing friends that
I truly lean on at times. I think it's important to have REAL friends
in business.
You have a wonderful sense of fun, playfulness, and humor. How do you keep that up when you're feeling stressed out? Or do you just not get stressed out?
The key for me not to get overly stressed is to stay organized. I
keep an ongoing "to do" list by my computer. I take the entire list
and then break it into "days." For example "I will edit this wedding
on Monday, on Tuesday I will fulfill print orders, on Wednesday I will
edit this portrait shoot" etc. It keeps things manageable for me. If
I look at the entire list I become too overwhelmed and don't even know
where to start. So breaking it up, and being organized is key.
I DO get stressed at times, and sometimes taking a walk with my
family, or taking the day off work helps relieve that more than
sitting in front of the computer working. I remember several times
this summer when I said "screw work, I'm going to the swimming pool
with my daughter." And I went swimming, and it felt really good!
Also, when I'm stressed I have to remind myself that I make a living
making pretty pictures. And then I feel immensely grateful and tell
myself STOP STRESSING AND BE GRATEFUL!!
What 5 tips do you have for women to help them maintain a balance in their lives between everything they have to do?
I don't really have any tips. I just remember something that Dr.
Laura said that I really liked. She said something to the effect that
there is no such thing as balance. Balance implies that you can have
it all. And you CAN'T have it all. If you choose one thing, then the
other thing loses out. So instead of "balance" think of choices. For
me I try to make good choices. Choices that allow me to be with my
family as much as possible. If this means turning away potential
clients, I will do it. And I CHOOSE to do it, because at the end of
the day, and at the end of my life I want to say that I chose family
over anything else in the world.
What brought you to photography?
I mildly worshipped my older brother when I was younger (okay, I still
do:) When I was in Jr. High, he was taking a photography class. He'd
show me the pictures he made and I was so amazed. So of course I
wanted to be like him. I started taking photography classes in jr.
high, got my first SLR for high school graduation, got a medium format
camera after college graduation and stuck with it ever since.
Is there anything you wish you would have done differently over the years as a mom/business woman? If so, what? And how would you do it if you had another chance at it?
I can't say there is anything I would have done differently.
Everything I've done in the past has brought me to where I am now. And
I really like where I am now.
To see more of Rebekah's work check out her website and blog.
**All images in this post are copyright Rebekah Westover.
Reader Comments (14)
Thanks so much for your segments! I really enjoy them! Rebekah is amazingly talented! Definitely something to aspire to!
Great photos. Great interview. I love this series! Rebekah, I love what you said about balance and choices. Great advice!
Rebekah is an EXTREMELY talented, genuine person. Thanks for getting her thoughts because she ROCKS!
Yay for Becky! Your sweet little fam is lucky to have you as wife and mother.. Thanks for your insight. :)
The cool thing about Rebekah is that she is exactly who she says she is. But she's very humble. The girl's amazing. AND, she helps people. Like me. Who desparately need help. Davina--you're awesome for doing this. And Rebekah--you're awesome, because you're awesome!!
This is a test comment from Squarespace support.
Love that girl!
It appears that some people may be having issues with posting.
Please let me know if you are having problems posting by writing me at: davina at davina fear dot com
Thanks!
Thank you so much for featuring Rebekah. I read her blog daily and absolutely love her work. I have a question-- how do you make photographer friends? I make friends easily in every other realm of my life but the photographers I've met seem so concerned that I'll steal their business(and trust me I won't!) that I haven't been able to find any friends or mentors. Do you have any ideas on how to remedy this?
Testing entry IE7
Testing post Firefox
Michelle, Come to Love Affair Workshop! :)
Really. I know that's a shameless plug for love affair, it's true though. The women that came to love affair are still friends (10 of them are getting together and rooming at WPPI this upcoming week), they call each other, help each other, and some are on a forum together. I think every woman who has come to Love Affair has made at least one life long friend that they would never have met if it hadn't been for Love Affair. You can see more here: http://www.loveaffairworkshop.com/index.php
(check out the testimonials page for more info on friends)
If you aren't interested in Love Affair go to another workshop. Most people at workshops are totally open to learning and sharing. Hang out after classes and shoots with people. I'm still friends and keep in touch with people from all of the workshops that I've attended.
If you choose the right workshop for you they are fun and inspiring and worth every penny.
Kayleen, I know. Rebekah's work is gorgeous and I'm in awe of her album designs!! Wow!
Sarah, here, here. I totally agree.
Alisha, too true. I'm so glad she was so generous...as she always is. :)
I love that girl too!!! This was so fun to read, so many great reminders about what's important!