25 on Tuesday Valentine’s Day Edition: Rebekah Westover

Love is in the air!

It being almost Valentine’s Day and all.

So I thought it apropos to feature a photographer who gets to experience love, usually young love, first hand through her work with engaged couples.

Rebekah Westover is one of my very favorite wedding photographers.  Based out of Utah, where the marriage rate is well above that of the rest of the United States, you could say there are plenty of photographers to choose from.  But time and again as I’ve looked at the wedding photography market in Utah, Rebekah Westover’s work continues to impress and inspire me.  I remember the very first time I saw her work, it was from this session and I was smitten.  And again, when friends of ours used her to photograph their daughter’s engagement and wedding, I was  in awe.  What I love about Rebekah’s work is her ability to capture those feelings of young love simply and honestly, without heavy post processing.  Her work reminds me so much of film.  I love the air of vintage she includes here and there.

I am giddy with excitement to feature Rebekah of Rebekah Westover Photography on today’s 20 25 on Tuesday!

(I had so much I wanted to ask her that I couldn’t leave it at just 20 questions this week)

Hi Rebekah!

Where are you from?

All over Utah.

Where is home now?

Orem, Utah

Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?

Both,  Learned a bit in school. Learned A LOT on my own

What led you to pursuing photography as a career?

The love of photography led me to learn it. Necessity led me pursue it as a full blown career.  I was doing photography part time while my husband worked in sales at a local construction company.  Some devastating things happened in our life during that time.  One of them being my husband losing his job.  We talked about our options on what we should do. We decided to give my little part time business a big push and see where it went.  For one year we would see HOW and IF we could really make this photography thing work.  If things didn’t work out….then we would come up with a new plan.  But for that year it was “Operation Rebekah Westover Photography”  That was 4 years ago and today things are going very strong with our business

What led you to specialize in weddings?

It’s Utah. 🙂 Huge opportunities for wedding photography.  Plus it’s fun and I think I’m good at it.

Your camera and lens combinations at weddings?

Well, I have a ton of stuff in my camera bag.  But 90% of the time I use my Nikon d700 with the Nikkor 1.8 lens.

Can you tell us when and if you use flash, reflectors, and natural light
during a wedding/portrait shoot?

I use natural light as much as possible. I know how to use a flash and a reflector…..I just prefer the look of natural light better.  At weddings I use flash for family formals and dance party photos.  But other than that I shoot b/w ambient light photos, or use videolights.  I will sometimes use a reflector to pop a little light in someone’s eyes.

If you could be invisible for one day with your camera?

Hhhhhm, I’d prefer NOT to be invisible.

Based in a saturated market like Utah, what do you do to remain true to your unique style and do you ever feel the pressure of competition?

Things finally started to come together for me last year.  I decided at the end of 2009 that I would not look at other wedding/portrait photography blogs. It did NO good for me.  It made me feel bad about my work.  It made me feel like I needed to keep up with all the trendy photoshop actions, and photography styles. It made me feel like other people were more successful than me. These things did NOTHING to help me improve or become more successful at photography, or help me be true to myself in any way. They only hindered me.  I was focusing so much on what others were doing I wasn’t focusing on what I should be doing.  At the beginning of 2010 I stopped looking at wedding and portrait photography blogs. This was a huge part of me really developing my own style and voice.  It was also so freeing to focus on me, my business, my style, what I wanted to improve in, and NOT focus on what others were doing with their business, style, etc.  I feel that during the 2010 year my TRUE style emerged.

Have you ever had anything unexpected happen at a wedding/reception?

Oh yes, I had the “wedding of my career” in Park City, Utah. It was a summer wedding and  everyone was flying in from Manhattan.  Everything was masterfully planned for this delightful mountain wedding. I have never been so excited to shoot a wedding!!  And guess what?  It rained and rained and rained…did I mention it rained?  It was a torrential downpour the entire day.  It was such  a huge disappointment for all involved. I still get sad when I think about it!!!!

Who inspires you?

Mark Seliger, Richard Avedon, Sally Mann, Vivian Maier, Mario Testino, Mary Ellen Mark.  The true greats!! For wedding work, I am inspired by Tanja Lippert and Elizabeth Messina

I notice you often work with a videographer at weddings.  Tell me how that partnership has effected your business.

The videographers I work with are by referall basis. So I am usually working with a videographer I know and love working with. I will refer work to them, and they do the same for me.

The last workshop or seminar you have attended and why?

Tanja Lippert’s “Art of Directing”.  Because she is my idol and I want to be like her:)

Since we’re talking “Love” this week and you often work with couples newly in love, is there session that stands out in your mind that best epitomizes what love is?

Yes!  These!

Talk to me about personal projects.  Are they important and what have you done lately?

Yes, they are hugely important.  You need to shoot things for yourself to keep happy and inspired.  I’m doing a shoot this weekend purely for fun. Not getting paid for it.  Just because I want to make some beautiful images.

Something you’re still learning...

I can’t do it all

The best advice you have been given...

family first, business second.  ALWAYS
If not photographing, where can we find you?

Hanging with my family. And LOVING it.

If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?

I think I would like to stay here in Orem Utah.  Could I get a second home??  He he he.  If so, Tahiti.

What talent would you most like to have?

Genius photography talent like Avedon.

What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?

beautiful, fun,sweet

Something that is over rated…

The movie The Social Network.  It was good…..but is wasn’t THAT good.

Your favorite movie of all time?

Of all time?….oh no, now my geekiness comes out….it’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Ha, I’m totally serious! Recently I’ve been loving V for Vendetta

If you could change one thing you did while starting your photography
business, what would it be?

From the beginning be more true to myself.  To realize one doesn’t have to be trendy or do what everyone else is doing to make beautiful photos.

What quote best represents you at this moment?

If you CAN change it, then don’t worry about it.  If you CAN’T change it, then worrying about it will do no good either.

Rebekah’s work can be found HERE.

Thank you, Rebekah!

and GASP!  that blue ice image takes my breath away!